Being More Like Daniel

It is probably a sad commentary on the state of things when I can say nothing really surprises me anymore.  The world I grew up in, it was pretty simple: there were girls and there were boys.   When it comes to sexual identities now, I hear all kinds of options, some lists contain more than fifty definitions of sexual identity.  Our present culture allows individuals to establish their sexual identity based on how that person feels.  The current environment can be particularly confusing and stressful for teens who as we know from experience struggle with their identity. 

Now a new proposal from the American Medical Association (AMA) seems to muddy the waters even further.  The recommendation is that going forward “sex should be removed as a legal designation on the public part of birth certificates.” A person's sex designation at birth would still be submitted to the U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth for medical, public health, and statistical use only.  The actual birth certificate a person carries with them for life will contain no reference to their sex at birth.  In the words of the AMA, “Requiring it can lead to discrimination and unnecessary burden on individuals whose current gender identity does not align with their designation at birth, namely when they register for school or sports, adopt, get married, or request personal records.”

We should not be surprised by the AMA’s statement.  The medical field has been moving in this direction for decades.  In 2007 there was one pediatric gender clinic in America.  Today there are hundreds.  Today’s teens, without parental permission, can walk into any of these clinics and find testosterone therapy available.  We also need to be mindful that gender dysphoria has long been recognized as a condition that can afflict children. While historically the focus has been on gender dysphoria among young males, contemporary girls can face the same issue. 

Being a “good Lutheran,” I find myself asking the question “What does this mean?”  In the context of my personal relationship with God, it changes nothing.  I am still a “man of God” who has been called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I am still to be a person of grace, compassion and mercy.  The context into which I am called is vastly different than even ten years ago.  In many ways I am like Daniel, who was forced to live in pagan Babylon.  Daniel did not allow that toxic culture to change him.  He worshiped God and practiced his faith as he always had.  Yes, he paid a price for that, but in the end those around him saw his testimony and came to respect him and, in some cases, even worshiped his God.

Let us be people of grace, compassion and mercy, being slow to speak and quick to listen.  All the time, our actions and demeanor should reflect the Savior who gave his life for all people, even those who are searching for their sexual identity.

 

 

 

Who is Tommy Dorfman and Why we Need to Care About Her?

 I was drawn to an article in the most recent Time Magazine.  Okay, I will admit I drawn to the picture of what I thought was an alluring female.  After delving into the article, I was surprised to find out that it was Tommy Dorfman.   Tommy Dorfman is an actor who rose to fame playing a young man named Ryan Shaver on a Netflix show.  In her most recent roles Tommy Dorfman is being cast as a female.  You see, Tommy Dorfman has transitioned from a male to a female.  In the process, he/she has become a role model for LGTBQ youth in the United States.

While I find Tommy Dorfman’s transition troubling on multiple levels, I can reflect back on my own youth and my struggles with identity.  While I do not recall ever having questioned my identity as a male, I also realize I grew up in a different time when such ideas were not only tabu, but also not even on the cultural radar.  It is indeed a more challenging and difficult time to be a young person.  In many ways, the “you can be anything you want to be” dream has taken on a whole new meaning.

During my years in ministry, I had contact with countless teens and young adults who were struggling with their identity.  One of the great joys during my years as a school counselor was to watch students who were totally lost as middle schoolers, find their niche by the time they became seniors.  I found even greater pleasure when those students would return as successful alumni. 

I also counseled young people who were struggling with their identity as a person.  Yes, I did spend time discussing sexual identity with more than one student.  That was often a difficult conversation because as a faith-based school, the Gay/Lesbian issue was not supposed to be on the agenda. Of course, that was fourteen years ago and I suspect it is much different today. 

I know from Scripture that we are all, through the power of the Holy Spirit, being transformed into the people God wants us to be.  I know from personal experience, that God calls us to come along side those who are struggling with their identity.  This becomes a challenge for me today on multiple levels.  I know from experience that when I get involved with other people, it can get messy.  I might be drawn into situations or hear opinions that make me uncomfortable.  I also might encounter people who are heading down a path I see as running contrary to God’s desires for His people.

It is a challenge, but I sincerely believe it is one we must encounter. For too long the church, and church people, have become known more for “what we are against” than “what we are for.”  We have become quick to judge and slow to listen.  I truly believe we need to listen to people who like Tommy Dorfman are struggling with their sexual identity.  His behavior might be offensive to God, but then so is mine sometimes… and God loves me, just as He loves Tommy Dorfman just the same.

 

Frazzled Families

 You are in the middle of two years of your life you will not remember.”  There are certain comments that you not only remember, but where you can actually recall the exact location and circumstance.  In this case the words came from our good friend, Jean Heyse, as we stood in the driveway of the house, she shared with her husband Bob.  They were more than just friends.  Being a ministry family that was separated from the usually generational support system, we relied on church friends to come along side us and provide childcare, so we got a little break.  During our time in Dundee, Illinois Bob and Jean Heyse were our kids “surrogate grandparents.”

We were a somewhat unique family in that there is nine years difference between our oldest, Peter, and the next in line.  That meant at that point in time we had two children under the age of three and another who was on the verge of being a teenager.  Bob and Jean had stepped up to watch the youngest two while Barb and I enjoyed some time with Peter.  Now it was back to reality and Jean was offering both words of encouragement and truth.  Barb and I were both working full-time, she as a pre-school teacher and church musician and I as a DCE.  It was a “crazy time.” 

I thought of those hectic times in the last week as I read about the struggles that parents have been going through in the last year.  The pandemic has greatly impacted the members of the Millennial generation who are now parents.  They have had to pivot, from life as they knew it prior to COVID-19 to being sheltered at home.  No school or daycare for the kids.  The commute to the office has become the journey from kitchen to the dining room table where they try to get work done on their laptop, while also overseeing their kids.  They are balancing careers, while also overseeing their children’s education. 

New research from The Barna Group is even greater proof of not only how frazzled young parent are, but also their level of concern.  Nine out of ten parents report that they are concerned about their child’s academic and social growth.  In addition, anxiety and depression are at an all-time high among children and teens.  The same study also indicates that Christian parents have the same concern about the spiritual development of their children. 

I guess it is my “glass half-full” perspective that has caused me to see this as a rare opportunity for the church.  Those who minister to children and their parents have never had a more open opportunity.  Parents are hurting and they are begging for someone to listen to their cry and come along side them.  The challenge for the church is that the current circumstance calls for a different approach to ministry.  The big, flashy, “Sunday Morning Experience” approach no longer works.  This is a time when we need to take our ministry to them via social media and one-on-one contacts where they live. 

Millennial parents do not want “canned program” or lots of activities to entertain their kids.  They are crying for people who will listen to them, and them come along side them to help them navigate this difficult world.  The window of opportunity is quickly closing.  While we want to celebrate the re-opening of worship centers and enjoy fellowship with those we have missed, the real ministry is waiting for us in our neighborhoods. 

A Dose of Millennial Reality

 

After having gone through almost a year and a half of living under the threat of a pandemic, it is not surprising that my personal priorities and concerns are vastly different than they were two years ago.  I have commented to my family that I feel as if I have aged ten years since March of 2020.  As the death toll rose, I began to realize the possible impact and the issue of my own mortality became genuine.  In recent months both Barb and I have had to deal with health issues that brought that actuality into clearer focus.  Ensuring the financial future of our family, revisiting our will and even pre-planning our funerals have become higher priorities.  I have also become more focused on staying healthy, both physically and emotionally.  I have had to watch my diet much more than I did in the past.

I recently read an article that caused me to think about how different my priorities and concerns are different from those under the age of forty.  The information came from a recent study done by YPulse, a research company that tracks trends among Millennials and Gen Z’s.  It compared the top issues and concerns among those generations in 2020, verses 2019.  It is not surprising that COVID-19 replaced climate change/global warming as the top concern.  As expected, race/discrimination was listed second among their concerns.  What was shocking is what followed; Technology addiction, debt and personal finances and job security were the next highest concerns. 

While those of us over sixty-five are concerned about our health, and quality of life, those under forty are struggling with very practical issues.  As we consider our own mortality, they are wondering what their lives will be like in twenty to thirty years.  In the world where technology is advancing at an alarming rate, it is hard to comprehend what the future holds. 

This has drastic implications for a church that as struggled to stay relevant.  With most members over the age of sixty, it is not surprising that the conversation around the coffee pot on Sunday morning usually focuses on two things; our personal aches and pains and how the values have shifted to the point where the once forbidden has now become commonplace.  In the process, we expect the church to minister to us and our needs.  As a result, we can give little thought on how to reach and minister to those under forty.  We recognized that there is a void in congregational membership when it comes to young adults, but struggle to know how to overcome that.

It will only begin to change when we focus on seeking to understand the needs of those around us, especially those who belong to the younger generations.  We also need to remember that Millennials in particular are not looking for advice, as much as they are for individuals to come along side them and partner with them.  We must not only be messengers of hope but seek ways to help them address the issues facing them and their families. 

Be Strong and Courageous

 

Our son, Mark, gave me a copy of New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp for my birthday.  It contains 365 daily devotions, one for each day of the year.  Since my birthday falls on March 6, I began my one-year journey there.  I quickly discovered that the author seemed to be in tune not only with my spiritual needs but with the realities of being a disciple in a challenging world.

I found today’s message to be especially insightful.  He referenced the story of Joshua that begins in Joshua 1.  The leader of the Children of Israel faced a daunting task.  He was called to lead them across the Jordan River into the land promised them by God.  There were two distinct problems; 1) The land was already occupied. 2) The people were reluctant to move forward.  In the midst of that God’s command was clear and concise.  He must have wanted Joshua to get it straight because He repeated it three time; “Be strong and courageous.”

Like Joshua, we as disciples of Jesus are being called into a foreign and often antagonistic culture.  It is a world where the church is not only being viewed as “out of touch” but judgmental.  It is a much different world than the one we lived in even twenty years ago.  Still the command is clear.  As we go on our way we are to “make disciples,” sharing the good news of Jesus. 

The words from God to Joshua should be ringing in our ears, “have I not commanded you, only be strong and courageous.”  God promises not only to protect us but provide us with exactly what we need.   Our success does not depend on us or our words and actions.  We need to be persistent agents of grace and mercy.  This does not mean the task will be easy, but whatever the outcome, we live under the hope and promise of the Risen Savior. 

What Does Church Attendance Really Mean?

 

Weekly church attendance has long been one of the metrics we have used to measure the health of a local congregation.  If the number of people in the pews is consistent, or even showing grow, we have considered the church healthy.  In such cases the leadership is happy and the staff is commended.  Pastors and other church staff can easily fall into the “numbers trap,” feeling all is well. I also must admit it is not just a trap for the clergy.  I recall my days in parish ministry when one of the first questions asked by the Pastor on Monday morning was “how many kids showed up for youth group last night?”  I tended to gauge my success on numbers. 

In actuality, attendance has always been an inaccurate way to gage the health of a church.  Even consistent or growing numbers can be deceiving if people are there for the wrong reason.  I have often wondered; how many folks are in church to be spiritually fed and equipped for discipleship, versus how many are present simply for social reasons?  I have always felt that Bible class attendance is a better measuring stick when it comes to determining the spiritual health of a worship community. 

The truth is; none of this means diddly-squat in the post-pandemic world.  COVID-19 changed everything.  Suddenly churches were forced to pivot and switch to online worship.  As we emerge from the pandemic and people return, the new reality is hybrid worship.  Measuring online attendance is tricky.  Looking at the total number of views can be deceiving because you do not know how much people have actually watched.  Did they log on to check us out and quickly decided it was “not what they wanted” or did they just focus on the pastor’s message? 

There is an additional reality here: Church membership and even attendance does not mean what it once did.  Many of those under forty are simply not in the market to join a church.  It is more about having their personal needs and interests catered to.  They will jump from one church, and even denomination, to another simply because it is where their friends are at, or the pastor is a dynamic speaker. 

We need to ask ourselves the question: are we in the numbers game or are we interested in discipleship?  The paradigm has shifted away from filling the pews on Sunday morning to being in ministry where we are at.  The future of the church is dependent on our ability to reach people in the places where they live, work and play. 

My own pastor, Micah Miller, reminded the people at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church a few weeks back that Sunday morning is really practice for what happens in the real world.  People who worship on Sunday are the “core group of disciples.”  They must leave the building equipped and motivated to be the hands, feet and ears of Jesus.  I intentionally did not say “the voice” of Jesus.  In the past we have put a lot of emphasis on sharing the good news verbally.  In the current culture, we must earn the right to share our message.  We need to first have a relationship, and that happens when we serve and listen. 

In the future, we need to focus less on Sunday morning and more on being Jesus 24/7/365.  When we do share the Gospel message, we need to focus less on getting people to join our church and more on getting them to know and walk with Jesus. 

 

 

 

What to do About Pride Month

 June is Pride Month, and I am not sure what to do with that.  It is a thirty-day celebration marked by a variety of activities, including a Pride Parade.  It seems that there are rainbows everywhere.  Most major league baseball teams are participating by having a Gay Pride Day.  The major television networks are not only recognizing Gay Pride but doing feature stories on how far we have come as a society when it comes to recognizing our difference.

The "Gay Pride" movement traces its roots back to 1969.  Thom Higgins, a gay rights activist from Minnesota, and Brenda Howard, known as the “Mother of Pride” coordinated the first Pride march in New York City.  It has continued to grow and now is celebrated world-wide.  Contemporary culture has only fortified the movement as Millennials and Gen Z’s work to promote principles of tolerance and acceptance.  Even major Christian denominations have stepped on board, with rainbow flags and signs appearing on church property.  Even so, it is a struggle for me.  It is difficult for me to recognize, much less celebrate, a lifestyle I view as totally against God’s plan for us. 

I was challenged in my perspective on the LGBT movement many years ago.  The house next store to us went through a foreclosure and months of being vacant, falling into disrepair.  We rejoiced when a young woman bought the house.  Her parents soon showed up to help her do repairs and redecorate.  Then, shortly after she moved in, her female partner moved in as well.  Still, I extended the hand of friendship.  I got to know them.  I discovered that they both had great jobs at a major accounting firm.  They asked what I did, and I sensed a level of discomfort when I told them I was in full-time youth ministry.  My faith was now out in the open.

I still did my best to be a good neighbor.  When a lightning strike caused major damage and disrupted our routine, we joined forces and shared a generator to keep things running.  I recall helping them jump-start their car.  I tried to be friendly, always extended a greeting when we crossed path.  Still, it was a little uncomfortable.  I recall Mark and Katie, who were in grade school at the time, inquiring why when they had a pool party, all their friends were women. 

The day finally came when I saw them carrying out boxes.  Soon a van showed up and it was obvious they were moving out.  I inquired and found out they had bought another house in up-town Dallas, closer to where they worked.  In the process, I received an unexpected surprise.  The homeowner thanked me for a being a great neighbor.  She went on to say she recognized our differences but that was never a barrier.

My hope is that somehow, our brief friendship left a positive impression that as a Christian, I accepted her for who she was.  Taking it a step further, we need to remember that we are called to be Jesus, who always accepted people where they were at.  Without a relationship, He could never move them to where He wanted them to be.  Paraphrasing John 3:17, “We are not called to judge or condemn others but rather to love them and be Jesus in their lives.” 

So, while I will not celebrate Pride Month, I will view it as a reminder that Jesus came to save the lost.  He loves us, with all of our flaws and calls us into a relationship.  Only in that relationship can we discover his grace, love and the eternal plan He has for each of us.

 

 

 

On Being a Patriarch

 

We just returned from a quick weekend trip to Detroit.  It was the first time I had been on an airplane in over a year.  The plane was full and the airport seemed busy, but felt very safe.  There was a dual purpose for the trip.  Our Uncle Don died from COVID over a year ago and it was not until Saturday that we were able to celebrate his life with his church family.  On Sunday we celebrated our mom’s 100^th birthday.  Mom had not been out of the nursing home in over a year.  It took about an hour but once she got warmed up, she was sharing stories and had us laughing.  Mom can barely see and has always been hard of hearing, but there is no doubt her mind is sharp.

It was quite a gathering with over thirty of us traveling from Baltimore, Columbus, Ohio and Dallas to join the family that live in Michigan.  In the midst of the celebration, I became aware of a reality; I am the patriarch of the family.  Uncle Don was 97 years-old and never married.  He was always like a second dad.  When our dad died in 2004 it just seemed natural to consider my Uncle as the male head of the family.  Even though he has been dead for a year, this weekend just felt different. 

Then I got to pondering on what being the patriarch of a family actually means.  In my mind, the primary thing a patriarch is to do is make sure the family legacy is maintained.  That requires not just modeling and leading by example but encouraging those who follow to walk as disciples as well.   As I reflected on that thought, it occurred to me that that is what I have always tried to do. 

I truly believe that is what all of us are called to do as members of the Body of Christ.  Passing on the legacy of faith is vital.  I sincerely believe the reason the church has struggled over the last few decades is because adults, especially Baby Boomers, have focused on themselves and neglected passing on the heritage of faith.  We’ve done a good job of kingdom building and failed at building God’s Kingdom.  Personal wealth and success have become a higher priority than passing on the Gospel message of grace and hope.

Now I want to do my best to stay healthy so that my tenure as patriarch is long and productive. 

 

Youth Ministry in a Post-COVID World

 

I spent much of my professional career in youth ministry.  Over the last year I was very grateful to be retired.  I honestly could not imagine what youth ministry would be like in the midst of a pandemic.  Having spent time with some of my youth ministry friends last week convinced me that even post COVID-19 the way the church minister to teenagers and their families is going to look very different.  The days of pizza and Bible study in the youth room might be in the past.  According to my director of Christian education (DCE) friends, just because churches and youth rooms are again open does not mean the kids are coming back. 

One of the unfortunate results of the pandemic for teens is that anxiety and depression have become a major issue.  Traditionally, teens are social creatures and the period of isolation has taken its toll.  In many cases they have lost their support system, and at a time when the church youth ministry staff could provide encouragement face-to-face contact is not possible.  During this time the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found symptoms of anxiety and depression up sharply from the previous year.  Almost 11 percent of all respondents to that survey said they had "seriously considered" suicide in the past 30 days. For those ages 18 to 24, the number was 1 in 4, more than twice as high.

Three things that church leaders, especially those working with teens, need to keep in mind moving forward;

Relationships matter.  One-on-one relationships with teens is vital during this time.  After spending hours online going to class, the idea of spending time on Zoom with the group from church is not as enticing as it was early in the pandemic.  What they really need is the intimacy of a relationship where they can talk about the issues that are troubling them.  The best approach for the church youth ministry teams might be to “divide and conquer.”  Divide the list of teens among the various members of the team, with the youth ministry professional taking those who might need the most attention.  Texts and phone are a good way to connect. 

Encourage spiritual disciplines.  Daily devotional thoughts sent via group text are a great way to start.  Sending them out early each morning might encourage them to begin their days in God’s Word.  When you do gather as a group, provide some models of how to find peace and solitude.  Prayer walks or similar activities help provide structure.  Through it all, we must be messengers of hope, modeling what we preach.

Parents are vital.  The new model for ministry puts less emphasis on what happens at church through children’s and youth ministry and more emphasis on the home.  Some churches were already moving toward this paradigm but the pandemic has greatly accelerated the process.  Millennial parents, more than past generations, want to be responsible for the spiritual formation of their children.  We need to be mindful that this really is the biblical model, and that the church community is really only there to provide encourage and support.

 

Some other things that church leaders need to keep in mind going forward.  The church youth room, like some of the rest of our facilities, might be devalued.  Just because the youth facilities are less used does not mean ministry is not happening.  Secondly, stop playing the numbers game.  In the post-pandemic world relationships are vital.  Some of the best ministry is going to be happening one-on-one way from the church building. 

 

RETURNING TO CHURCH: WHAT HAVE PEOPLE MISSED?

We are one week removed from the celebration of Easter 2021.  Compared to last Easter, most churches were able to hold regular services in their normal fashion.  A new report from the Barna Group provided insight into how different this Easter was compared to last year.  The same study also provided insight into what people missed during the pandemic when most worship had to take place online.

In the fourth week of March 2020, Barna surveyed over two hundred pastors on their plans for Easter worship. Almost half (45%) were planning live online worship, and 10% were planning an outdoor service. Thirteen percent (13%) were planning on recording their Easter worship and then making it available to members. Since it was still early in the pandemic, one-in-five (20%) of the pastors polled still had no idea how they were going to celebrate Easter. Only 2% planned to still hold indoor worship.

In a similar poll of over 500 Protestant pastors done from March 16-22, 2021 found that four in five (80%) planned to hold regular indoor worship with COVID-19 precautions. An almost equal 71% still planned to offer online worship, a strong indication that hybrid church is here to stay. Additionally, over one-in-five (22%) planned to offer an outdoor service, encouraging social distancing. One-in-ten (11%) of the pastors polled reported they planned to hold worship indoors with no COVID-19 restrictions.

As people begin to return to regular church attendance, the team at Barna was also curious as to what people said they had missed during their time away. The top overall response was “receiving the sacrament/eucharist” (24%).  Other responses tended to indicate the importance of fellowship. Overall, 23% responded “socializing with other churchgoers before and after services” and 19% “the chance to connect with like-minded people.”

There was a huge difference when it came to generations and what they most missed during the time they could not gather in-person. “Receiving the sacrament/eucharist” was more important to Baby Boomers than to Millennials (16%) and Gen X (18%) church attenders. “Socializing with other churchgoers before and after services” (27%) was also a higher priority for Baby Boomers than it was for younger attenders (17% of Millennials and 21% of Gen X’ers). 

I see a couple of disturbing trends in the new report from Barna. From my perspective, they all impact our effort to reach the next generation.

A social gathering of like-minded people: Two of the top responses to what people missed from not attending in-person worship underscore the reality that church is viewed as a social gathering spot. When the primary reason for attending worship is to “socialize” and “gather with like-minded people,” I think we have a problem. 

Discipleship is not a high priority. According to the research from Barna, involvement in “Sunday school / Small groups / Bible study” was missed by only 8% of Baby Boomers and Gen X’ers and 13% of Millennials. Additionally, only one-in-five (23%) of those polled miss “listening to a live sermon or homily.” 

Little desire to meet new people: If the church is to grow, there must be a willingness to welcome new people in the community. Over all, only 9% of those polled indicated “the chance to meet new people” as something they missed over the last year. Millennials were more open to meeting new people with 17% reporting that was something they missed.

 

The bottom line is the church has a long way to go if it is to grow. The reality is the lost are not going to find their way to us. We are going to have to meet them where they are at. That requires equipping people to be the feet and hands of Jesus where they live, work and play. In the post-pandemic world, if our church buildings are going to be devalued and viewed only as a gathering place for believers that will be an obstacle.

 

Blessed Be Your Name... At all Times.

 

Singing praise has always been a big part of my life.  I am not particularly musical.  I cannot hold a candle to my wife and daughter, both of whom are trained church musicians.  My parents both sang in the church choir and I became part of the children’s choir as soon as I was eligible.  I graduated to the youth choir and eventually to the bass section of the senior choir.  I sang in the chorus all four years in high school.  As an adult I have sung in the church choir and been part of the contemporary worship team at church.

Some of my fondest memories growing up are being seated next to my grandmother in church singing the traditional hymns.  Many of those hymns still sustain me today.  I tend to lean on them during times of struggle.  If you were to ask my favor hymn, I would probably point to Abide with Me, but these days I find comfort in Jesus Savior, Pilot Me.  Both remind me that Jesus is my anchor in the midst of uncertain times.

One of the things I struggle with most during this time when I am forced to worship remotely, is singing.  The songs are the same but something is lacking in the impact when you sing a worship song in a room by yourself.  That struck me this morning as I found myself reflecting on Psalm 111:1 in my personal devotional time.  How I long for the time when I can again join the assembly in praising God. 

I guess there is a reason I found a special meaning this past Sunday when one of the songs we sang in worship was Blessed be Your Name.

 

“Blessed be your name when the sun’s shining down on me…

Blessed be your name.

Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering…

Blessed be your name.”

 

May God strengthen me so I can find reasons to continually praise Him, even in the midst of isolation and uncertainty. 

 

Taking it to the Street

The Texas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) recently announced an initiative to train 500 evangelist, church planters and missionaries.  It sounds like an ambitious effort but the Rev. Dr. Yohannes Mengsteab who is heading up the effort truly believes it is doable.  What makes this movement unique is that it will equip lay church members to do ministry where they are at.  The goal is that there be one trained evangelist in every congregation or mission station. 

During a time when they number of ordained pastors is declining, this is a step in the right direction.  In 2019 the LCMS had 6,077 ordained pastors serving 5,991 churches.  On paper that looks good but beneath the surface things are not healthy.  Over three hundred of those pastors are specific ministry pastors (SMP) who are serving under the supervision of an administrative pastor.  In addition, other ordained pastors are serving in administrative positions.  The situation is exacerbated by the reality that a good portion of the rostered pastors are over the age of sixty and will soon retire.  The outlook grows even worse when we look at the enrollment at the two LCMS seminaries.  In 2019 only 355 students were enrolled in the Master of Divinity program, which leads to ordination.  That equates to less than one hundred pastors graduating each year.  That will not keep pace with the number of pastors that are retiring. 

There is another reason I am encourage by my district’s new initiative.  It moves ministry outside the walls of a building to the places where people live.  Granted, many of those trained will minister to under-served churches in small towns and rural areas, but others will touch the lives of people within the communities around established urban and suburban worship communities.  This is crucial when you consider that most unchurched Millennials and Gen Z’s will never consider entering the doors of our church.  We need to touch their lives where they are at, a reach and them in their place of need. 

I am a fan of the Doobie Brothers.  One of my favorite hits by them is Taking it to the Streets.  In a sense, this is what the new project is trying to do.  Evangelist are people who take the Good News of Jesus to people where they are at.  They minister to people through mercy and compassion.  I truly believe the future church will look vastly different with fewer people gathering in a building and more people clustering in small groups where they live.  In the world of Millennials and Gen Z’s relationships, not buildings, are the important thing.  Our desire is that one of those relationships should be with their Lord and Savior, Jesus.

 

The Decline of Denominations: Blame it on the Boomers

 

It was during the mid-seventies and I was serving as DCE at a church in suburban Chicago.  It was a Saturday morning and I found myself in the office putting in some preparation for my Sunday morning Bible Class.  I knew there was a wedding at noon that day and I was in somewhat of a rush to get things done before the festivities started.  My teammate at the time was Pastor Bill Huener.  As I worked, I could hear Pastor Bill singing at the top of his lungs in his office.  I wondered why Bill was in such a good mood.  Bill typically was not excited about officiating a wedding.  He liked working with young couples, it was the family drama that irritated him.  Curiosity finally got the best of me so I asked, what was up.  “I have been on staff at this church for four years and this is the first time I have a Lutheran getting married to another Lutheran,” he replied.  I found that hard to believe and then reflected back on the three and half years we had worked together.  He was right. 

I bring this up because today’s young people get a lot of the blame when it comes to the decline in membership of not only the Lutheran Church but mainline denominations in general.  Across the board, mainline denominations from Baptist, to Methodist are losing members.  I am a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS).  Post World War II the LCMS was one of the fastest growing denominations in the country.  We were even featured on the Cover of Time Magazine in 1958.  Membership finally peaked at 2,8 million around 1970.  Today our church body is a little over half that size at 1,5 million.  We are also a “graying church,” with over 70% of the membership over the age of fifty.

The reality is mainline denominations are going away.  It is one of the topics in my soon to be released book Tear Down the Silos and Pitch a Tent.  In the book I survey the changes I see on the horizon for mainline denominations.  As I did my research, I discovered something interesting; we can blame the Baby Boomers, those born after WW II, for starting the decline. 

Prior to the 60’s young people tended to marry a partner who shared the same faith tradition.  In the case of the LCMS, the Walther League was an “in house” dating service.  If you couldn’t find a match in your church, there were almost endless possibilities at the zone rallies and national conventions.  The organization was basically dissolved in 1968, when the LCMS decided to go in a different direction in youth ministry.  It was at the Walther League national convention at Purdue University in 1968 that the Baby Boomers who made up the Walther League voted to disband. 

The generation born post W.W. II has always had a reputation for being rebellious.  Baby Boomers led the “peace movement” that called for an end to the War in Viet Nam.  We were also in the forefront when it came to the call for the end of racial injustice.  We were the first generation to question what our lifestyles were doing the environment.  I think we can add the challenge to the traditional denominational structure to that list.

We need to be mindful that denominations are “man-made” institutions.  The church is actuality are “the people of God.”  Our loyalty should never be toward a particular tradition.  We need to but rather toward the Savior who gave His life for us.  We are called to be His disciples.  That requires us to be people of grace, mercy and compassion in the communities and neighborhoods where we live. 

A Culture of Harassment

 

I spent most of my adult life working with teenagers, including eleven years as a high school counselor.  Harassment and bullying were one consistent reality.  The level of pain kids could inflict on each other never ceased to amaze me.  I know some students were scarred for life because of the words and actions of their peers.  I was aware that such behavior took place in the adult world as well.  I encountered more that enough parents who were capable of using words and threats to gain the upper hand on behalf of their children.  Reality is; the fruit does not fall far from the tree.

Now, a new report from Pew Research has revealed that harassment and bullying among adults is an increasing problem in America.  I guess I could have expected such in a volatile political and social climate.  Unfortunately, social media has made it much too convenient for people to say angry and hurtful things about each other.  According to the report, roughly four-in-ten Americans (41%) have personally experience online harassment.  Name calling, physical threats and stalking were the most common forms of online harassment and bullying.

Young adults, ages 18-29, are most impacted by this rising trend.  Almost two-thirds (64%) of young adults reported that they had been harassed online, with almost half (48%) saying the harassment was “severe.”  Almost half (49%) of those ages 30-49 had experienced online harassment.  Even older adults over 65 have experienced online harassment, with one-in-five (21%) having faced it in some form.  As we might anticipate, women and ethnic minorities as more frequently the victims.

The Church, as the Body of Christ, is called to play a role in the chaos.  This is a major challenge since the church has an image problem from the perspective of many young adults.  The church is not viewed as a safe place to express an opinion or even ask for help.  It must begin on a personal level in the way we interact with and treat those around us, especially those who might not agree with us.  It also might require us to be a little less quick to speak and to measure our words when we do. 

Moving on to 2021

The past has everything to do with where we are today, but absolutely nothing to do with where we will be in the future.  I think the first time I made this statement was during a strategic planning session with the lay leadership at one of the churches where I served.  As I recall, the process had gotten bogged down because some of those involved were stuck in the past.  As a congregation, we wanted to move forward.  We wanted to make major changes in the way members were equipped for ministry.  It was not the fear of the future that was paralyzing them, it was more a reluctance to give up what had been successful in the past.

I fear the same thing might be happening as we move into the year 2021.  I can think of no time in my life when I anticipate greater change.  The pandemic has impacted every part of my life.  I have come to realize that when we finally do emerge from this health crisis, I will be living in a world that looks and feels vastly different.  It is a real challenge for an old man.  I cherish the memories of the world, especially within my church community, as I knew it.  I had expected change, but COVID-19 has hastened them in a way I had never imagined.

Let me focus on three changes I view as being most challenging for older adults, like myself to adjust to:

Hybrid worship is here to stay.  The pandemic forced us to change the way we worship.  Most of us viewed it as a temporary inconvenience.  That is borne out in the large number of older Christians who have expressed their desire to get back to in-person worship ASAP.  The reality is that many young Christians like the option of worshipping at their convenience.  While they long for the fellowship and sense of community, they also like the idea of being able to participate in worship online. 

Ministry will happen outside the walls of the church.  Most of us are accustomed to being at church.  We not only went there for worship and Bible study, but found much of our fellowship there.  In the post-pandemic world, more ministry will happen away from the church building.  Not only will more church meetings take place via Zoom, but so will Bible studies and other discipling activities.  Those under the age of forty are accustomed to functioning this way and now expect the church to adapt to their lifestyle.

Fellowship will look different.  At least for the foreseeable future, masks are going to be a reality.  Experts tell us that even with a vaccine, we need to maintain caution to avoid spreading the virus.  That really changes the way we relate to each other.  Close contact, especially hugs, are not going to happen.  We are used to fellowship time between services but that is going to be different.  Many are also going to be reluctant to attend fellowship meals.  The church kitchen might be one of the least used areas of the building. 

The one thing that does remain constant is God’s grace and His love for us.  We need to be mindful of that.  While the church as we once knew it might cease to exist, God is faithful and He has some awesome things in store for us.