Hope for the United Methodist Church

February 7, 2012,

Dear St. Paul's Family,

For many years we have witnessed the steady decline of our beloved United Methodist Church. Like every other mainline denomination, the statistical trends are as indisputable as they are sobering. At this rate, over the next four decades, total membership will shrink from its present 8.2 million to under one million, and approximately two-thirds of our congregations will be closed. [1] Our presence in the world's spiritual arena, as well as our influence on culture at large, is waning toward extinction. It is easy to imagine how the Church that nurtured me in the faith and called me into ministry will be a shadow of its former self by the time I retire, thirty years from now.


THE GOOD NEWS

But even in the most dire moments, I still feel a tenacious hope that rights my despair and convinces me of a brighter future. It is a hope grounded in the vitality and health of any local congregation that accomplishes its mission of “making disciples for the transformation of the world.” And I am proud to say that over the past five years as your pastor, St. Paul’s has buoyed me with evidence for that hope, time and time again.

Here’s just one of many examples. Last fall, we started offering monthly "Meet the Methodist" classes: 90-minute introductions to the history, doctrine, and practice of the United Methodist Church, as well as the mission and vision of St. Paul's. Every session has been attended by a mixture of first-time seekers and long-time members, who come wanting a deeper understanding of what makes Methodism unique among the plethora of religious options in the world today. (The next session, by the way, is this Thursday night at 6:30 in the Feller Lounge.)

Part of these sessions include an overview of what it means for us to be a "People in the Center," as our core values state. This characteristic is rooted in the beliefs of John, Charles, and Susannah Wesley, and simply states that when faced with two polarizing options, we look for an creative third way, or via media, in the center. In short, we look for the best of both options, and forge an effective synthesis of the two. Then I give a few examples:

· Rather than choosing between a doctrine that intellectually satisfies or a faith that stirs the heart, we believe in the hybrid of "two so long divided - knowledge and vital piety."

· Rather than choosing to define salvation as either "getting into heaven" or social justice for us here and now, we find a way into the center, embodying both a passion for truth and a compassion for people.

· Rather than having to choose between a God who directs human destiny or a limited God who allows for free will, we believe in a God whose grace persuades us toward salvation and grants us the ability to choose.

· Rather than being defined by any one political or ideological agenda, we remain centered in our task of "spreading scriptural holiness across the land." We are a church filled with both Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, (and even Hawkeyes and Cyclones!), yet we are united in our core beliefs about Jesus Christ and the Bible.

It's amazing. As soon as I lay this out for people for the class, light bulbs go off and heads nod in approval. I see in their eyes a deep satisfaction, as if a polarizing fog is beginning to lift. Inevitably, people respond with words like, "I finally know why I love being United Methodist." Or, "Where has this been all my life?" Or, “This makes so much sense to me!”

I've heard these statements from people more often now than I can possibly count, and it convinces me that United Methodism offers something that the world desperately craves, even if it can’t name it as such. It is a reasonable, balanced, centerfield faith, and an open-minded approach to a God whose love can be “shed abroad in human hearts.”

That's the only good way I have of explaining what has happened here at St. Paul's over the past five years. By the grace of God, you have created a spirit of openness, warmth, and genuine joy, welcoming a variety of people into the inclusive, empowering fellowship of God’s grace. Fifty new members last year alone, a seven percent growth in membership, most of whom by profession of faith, is evidence of your good work. As a people in the center, we are right where people can find a God they have longed for all their lives.

That's why, in the face of sobering statistics and dire projections, I can have hope. When local churches like us do our job, and make disciples for the transformation of the world, we see resurrection.


THE CALL TO ACTION

But there's additional good news. There are people in the United Methodist Church who, for the past three years, have been formulating a plan to stem the tide of decline and recommend sweeping change to the denominational structure. When the General Conference meets in a few months in Tampa, Florida, it will consider a wide range of changes, from streamlining national boards and agencies to revising guaranteed appointments for clergy. The impact will stretch from the highest echelons of our polity (establishing a new role for the President of the Council of Bishops) to the very grass roots of our denomination (setting ministry goals for local congregations.)

I would recommend that you read the brief, 25-page Call to Action study guide for yourself, found on the website below. [2] And for a well-written endorsement of these recommendations. read this article by Jim Harnish, a friend and senior pastor at my previous church. [3]


DRIVERS OF VITAL CONGREGATIONS

One of the pieces of the Call to Action I am most interested in is the list of "best practices" for congregations to consider. If the hope of our denomination is to be found in the local church - which I have come to believe, now more than ever - then here are qualities that define a healthy, vital church. Read through these, and see how many you think apply to St. Paul's:

Children and Youth:
1 Vital churches have more small groups for all ages.
2 Vital churches have more programs for children.
3 Vital churches have more programs for youth.

Lay leadership
4 Vital churches focus on increasing the effectiveness of lay leaders. (Laity understand their role and carry these roles out effectively.)
5 Vital churches have lay leaders who demonstrate a vital personal faith. (This faith includes regular worship, intentional spiritual growth, personal devotional life, and giving of financial resources.)
6 Vital churches place an emphasis on rotating lay leadership in order to involve more people over time.
7 Vital churches call, equip, use, and support more lay leaders than non-vital churches. (Twenty percent or more of their worship attendees describe themselves as current or past leaders in their church.)

Pastors
8 Vital pastors coach and mentor lay leadership.
9 Vital pastors use their influence to increase the participation of others in order to accomplish changes
10 Vital pastors motivate the congregation to set and achieve significant goals through effective leadership.
11 Vital pastors inspire the congregation through motivational preaching.
12 Vital pastors, when they are serving effectively, stay for a longer period of time.

Worship
13 Vital churches offer a mix of contemporary (newer forms and styles of worship) and traditional services.
14 Vital churches have preachers who tend to use more topical sermon series in traditional services.
15 Vital churches use more con- temporary music (less blended music that includes traditional tunes) in contemporary services.
16 Vital churches use more multi-media in contemporary services (multi-media may not be as important as it is in some cultures).

Now, rather than give you my analysis of how we measure up to these drivers, I'd like to hear from you. I would be very interested in hearing from you which of these you think we do well. And eventually, we'll have a more structured conversation about how we can do better. For now, let me simply say that I think that the 20/20 Vision Plan you all adopted in 2008 goes a long way in echoing many of these priorities, which puts us well on the right track.


THE LITTLE CITY

I don't think it's any coincidence that my reflection on the Call to Action report coincides with this Sunday's scripture from Ecclesiastes. What would happen if we read this passage and see the United Methodist Church as the "little city" in this parable?

There was a little city with few people in it. A great king came against it and besieged it, building great siege-works against it. Now there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than might; yet the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heeded." The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good. (Ecclesiastes 9:13-18)

Indeed, it seems that dire statistics seem to be a "great king" that lays siege with forecasts of doom and despair around us. And there are many “rulers among fools” who speak out of fear and angst. But among is a quiet word, wisdom from an inconspicuous source, at the very heart of what it means for us to be a People Called Methodist. When we silence all other voices, and remove the barriers that prevent us from hearing those quiet words, we will find a “wisdom that is better than might,” a courage to change, and a chance to see resurrection among us.

Grace and Peace,

Magrey

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
Email: mdevega@sp-umc.org


[1] Here is an excellent article by Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City: http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/article/entry/2305/four-steps-toward-vitality

[2] The “Call to Action Study Guide” can be found online and downloaded from http://www.umccalltoaction.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/CallToActionSG.pdf

[3] http://floridaconferenceconnection.info/conversations/detail/38



PANCAKE RACE!
We are excited to host the fourth annual Great Cherokee Pancake Day Race and Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, on February 21, 2012. The race starts at 5:30pm, with the brief worship service and pancake supper following. All proceeds will benefit the two local food pantries, to which we have given approximately $3,500 to date. To register, visit pancakerace.com or pick up forms at the church or City Hall.