Church Membership
Jesus says, "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word," (John 17:6).
For some time now, i have been thinking about the decline of church membership, especially college and young working adults (talking abt the migration of Methodist to other churches). I felt strongly we should do all that we can to retain this good folks in our Methodist Churches.
A shocking news came a few months ago when one of "my" young people, decided to attend another church. My first response is to ask the person to come back and to contribute to the growth of our church. Had something like one hundred reasons why she should stay on in 'our' church.
But, i saw a lot of changes...good changes in this girl as a result of attending this church. Slowly, i began to let go of my mission to pursuade her to come back. The important thing was that she was alive in the Lord and began experiencing God in an intimate way.
Recently, in my church biblestudy we were thinking about the above verse. It slowly dawn on me that we can not claim anyone to be a "Methodist", "Baptist" or "Assembly of God". They all first and foremost belong to God. They are not ours, and we do not have any exclusive rights over their lives.
The important thing is to realise that God has entrusted them for a little while. What are we doing with them? Are we revealing the Father to them, or are we drawing attention to ourselves? If we are faithful at attending to those who are entrusted to us, i am sure God will add to our fold more people. But the question ultimately is not about numbers, but about being faithful to God.
I know that as a Methodist Pastor, i might be shot for putting this thoughts in my blog. But, these are some thoughts currently fresh and brewing in my mind. If Jesus, the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings can take a stewardship approach towards discipleship, can we do otherwise?
For some time now, i have been thinking about the decline of church membership, especially college and young working adults (talking abt the migration of Methodist to other churches). I felt strongly we should do all that we can to retain this good folks in our Methodist Churches.
A shocking news came a few months ago when one of "my" young people, decided to attend another church. My first response is to ask the person to come back and to contribute to the growth of our church. Had something like one hundred reasons why she should stay on in 'our' church.
But, i saw a lot of changes...good changes in this girl as a result of attending this church. Slowly, i began to let go of my mission to pursuade her to come back. The important thing was that she was alive in the Lord and began experiencing God in an intimate way.
Recently, in my church biblestudy we were thinking about the above verse. It slowly dawn on me that we can not claim anyone to be a "Methodist", "Baptist" or "Assembly of God". They all first and foremost belong to God. They are not ours, and we do not have any exclusive rights over their lives.
The important thing is to realise that God has entrusted them for a little while. What are we doing with them? Are we revealing the Father to them, or are we drawing attention to ourselves? If we are faithful at attending to those who are entrusted to us, i am sure God will add to our fold more people. But the question ultimately is not about numbers, but about being faithful to God.
I know that as a Methodist Pastor, i might be shot for putting this thoughts in my blog. But, these are some thoughts currently fresh and brewing in my mind. If Jesus, the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings can take a stewardship approach towards discipleship, can we do otherwise?
Labels: Church Membership
posted by Pastorpher at 3:48 pm
11 Comments:
Hello! Hello! Found your blog through May's. I agree totally with stewardship. It's sad that the Methodist Church is losing people but faith & church needs a vibrancy that a lot of the independents are giving the younger generation. We can't always be stuck in our liturgy, etc. Although these things have a place and are important, isn't our walk with God about a relationship with Him rather than methods?
haha ... I am one of the "guilty" ones too, remember. But I left for another Methodist church :)
hi surfgod. thanks for commenting. yeah, you do have a point abt vibrancy. but sometimes i do fear for some of the ppl who just 'go with the flow.' Its important to have that depth in our spirituality that comes from facing the desert heat and challenging situation. I guess, the end verdict would come from how they finish this Christian race. some one said that its not important how you begin the race; what matters most is how you finish it.
Pearlie....glad to have you and your family with us! hahaha
Sounds like we need to reflect and rethink insightfully to restore the vibrancy of methodist church in M'sia!! Hai, it is quite sad to see them leaving. My side in Ipoh is affected as well....!!
Yes Chee Keat. this is something that we all are well aware of but do not talk about. glad that you are thinking & praying along, brother!
true we have to re-vibranate the methodist church but we must be careful not to overstep it. this is juz my opinion but i think many people tend to rely on feelings or the hype-ness of worship sessions rather than focusing on God alone. true we can step things up a little (i support!!) but not to a point worship becomes more like a concert.
i agree oso that the liturgy shud be a bit more flexi..the liturgy is there to have things organized i guess...but to follow the same style of liturgy over and over again...a bit mundane, eh?
anyway, juz my opinion..:P and pastorpher, glad u updated ur blog:P
Pastor, don't be sad when they go to other denomination. Aren't good that they can grow spiritually at the current church? For we christian are to bring people closer to GOD no matter what. Let go is also one of the way... At least she grew up in a Methodist environment~ :) Be positive o pastor! Don't be discourage when some people heart are not focusing on GOD. The day will come when they will realise it. This world is filled with negativity. YOU have to be POSITIVE! Take care!
When we are up with GOD in future, do you think God will ask this question " Are you from methodist" the answer is no rite??
we are not lossing souls, but we are multiplying. each church have its good and bad site. The important thing is how your relationship with GOD.
pastor.. good thoughts on this.. anad yldp recently has discussed this a bit.. but in the end.. as someone i know said, if our (the church, which is us) focus on the Lord, everything else will be in His plan
hello pastorpher! interesting discussion you got going on here. what you feel about young people moving out of the Methodist church are my sentiments exactly. i feel i need to keep on asking myself and re-evaluating why i am worshipping in the church i currently worship in - Methodist or otherwise. i think one important thing to remember is that just as much as we are called to discipleship (and hence it is important to be in a church where you can grow spiritually and be disciplied), we are also called to servanthood and service - where has God called me to serve? i must not be selfish in wanting only to be 'fed' spiritually, i need to give back as well.
and btw, pastor i am strongly against your Live Traffic Feed feature on your sidebar! infringement of privacy rights i call it! hahaha. (just joking) hope you and your little family are keeping well by God's grace (=
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