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In This Issue:
SIX CRITICAL CHOICES
FOR CONGREGATIONS
It struck a chord with me when
I read some of the thoughts of Paul Nixon as he issued an invitation
to every church to THRIVE. The intriguing title of his book
I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church (Pilgrim
Press, 2006) also led to my interest
in what he had to say.
He outlines six choices congregations must
make to have the potential to thrive:
1. Choosing Life over Death. This begins with
a clear personal acceptance of Christ as the foundation of life.
The personal dimension is lived out in a community of "lifers"
who are committed to pushing the Life Message out into the world.
2. Choosing Community over Isolation. His discussion
includes the disconnect of people sitting all spread out in
a sanctuary being overwhelmed with the emptiness but quickly
moves to the need for the church to "be present" in
its community.
3. Choosing Fun over Drudgery. If you are "tired
and "worn out" and ready to "close it down"
something needs to change. Rid yourself of meaningless meetings,
meaningless routines, "get a life", have some fun.
If we choose life over death we can find the joy of being God's
people in these times.
4. Choosing Bold over Mild.
OK this is not an easy one for me. I try to choose a "middle
way". Paul Nixon would say I need to "go for it",
"just do it". Mild in churches is where we too often
find ourselves, BOLD gets our attention...and the attention
of a seeking community.
5. Choosing Frontier over Fortress. Yes, here
he even talks about our architecture. It "dates" us
and often reflects only too well the attitudes we put on when
we enter. It is intimidating to someone with no church background.
You may need to get out of the church to find the church-you
know the church that is the people.
6. Choosing Now Rather than Later. Now is the
time to act, later may be too late. We don't have decades to
respond to the needs in declining congregations. We don't have
decades to make a difference in the lives of children, youth
and adults in our communities. Now is the time.
This
book would be an excellent study tool for a committed
group of church leaders who want to refuse to be a part of a
dying church. A free study guide is available.
Arlo R. Reichter
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COMING IN OCTOBER
A BOLD MISSION MOBILIZATION
prior to the region annual meeting as American Baptists throughout
Wisconsin join together in a mission work project in the Green
Lake Area.
The Commission on Congregational
Mission is coordinating this effort-stay tuned for details.
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 CAMP
TAMARACK, 1958-2008
50 YEARS
Special 50th Anniversary Weekend
August 8-10, 2008
Watch for Details
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FEBRUARY
PRAYER FOCUS:
Church:
Milwaukee-Broken Walls
Christian Community
Pastors: David & Lo-Ann Trembley
Began 2/93
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CONNECTING
Humankind has not woven the
web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do
to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together.
All things connected.
- Chief Seattle
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15th Baptist World
Youth Conference
July 30-Aug. 3, 2008
Leipzig, Germany
"Dive Deeper"
Info. At:
www.dive-deeper.org
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