Good morning.
Monday and Tuesday, Vicar Bode and I attended the California Pastoral Study Conference (WELS pastors from CA, Hawaii, and Nevada) in Thousand Oaks. Prof. Lawrence Olsen from MLC presented us with the opportunity to train lay leaders in the congregation through local classes using the Congregational Assistant Program and Pastoral Studies Institute. CAP provides a basic education on Bible, Church, and Practical pastoral work. PSI trains pastoral candidates from nontraditional backgrounds such as men who seek to enter the ministry after having been in other professions, students from minority groups, foreign cultures, etc. Maybe some of our members would like to receive training through CAP, which would culminate in receiving certification as a Congregational Assistant.
Prof John Schuetze of Wis Luth Seminary presented a study on three American Christian church trends. The Church Growth method of mission work focussed on marketing, psychology, and sociology. This took the focus off the gospel as the only means of making disciples. CG methodology is full of problems, although there are common sense ideas that can certainly be found in their writings. For instance, CG writers stress the importance of knowing the people and the community in which the church operates. Maintaining the property, using advertising, and keeping a positive public image in the community are also important, but we didn’t need Church Growth Methods to teach us that. Some things taught in the CGM are the “homogeneous unit principle” which teaches that churches grow best and fastest when they consist of one cultural group, instead of being diverse. That principle does not hold water. The fact is, that entering the Christian church is a cultural change for everyone who enters it, and the Christian church forms a unique culture unto itself, where diversity in race, age, income, etc. is welcome; the unity comes from the gospel, not skin color or economic level.
The megachurch movement is interesting, but not new. It is only the big proliferation of megachurches that began in the 1980s that is new. There are at least 1200 megachurches in the USA today. A megachurch is one in which over 2000 people worship each week. At the same time that megachurches proliferate, however, there is a movement toward smaller, independent churches, and even within the megachurch is an emphasis on small Bible study groups.
The “Energing Church” movement is a response to the emerging generation, with its recognition of a paradigm shift from “modernism” to “postmodern”. While Modernism likes structure, belonging to an organization, and values absolute truth, postmodernism values diversity, friends and family, and symbolism, but tends to deny absolute truth. There are certainly many good things to learn from the proponents of the emerging church. We need to understand the mindset of the people we want to reach with the gospel, value the connections of people with people, use technology to communicate in an appropriate way, and us symbolism and narrative preaching styles. But we need to maintain the good things we have–focus on the Bible as God’s determinitive Word of truth, Law and Gospel preaching and witness, and keeping Christ crucified and risen again in the center.
I also gave a report on our California missions. The world economic crisis has been felt in the church, too. Two congregations in Southern California are having to release their pastors from their Calls because they cannot afford to pay them. Because individuals and congregations have seen their income and offerings decrease, many are lowering their support for the synod. CLHS just announced that they will have to decrease the salary of all faculty and staff by 7% to balance their budget. In the current 08-09 fiscal year, WELS is facing a $2.3 Million deficit. In 09-10 that deficit may be in the rance of $6 Million. Missions may have to cut a significant portion of their expenses. Some missions may be closed.
The response…I encourage everyone who can do it, to make a special contribution to our church and to the WELS. But most of all, I implore your fervent prayer for our synod and its people, and for those who do not yet know Christ as their Savior. Pray that we may still be able to preach and teach the Word and train future teachers and preachers.
