Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” – Acts 4:32
Every denomination – every church – every ministry – faces the urgency to shift from maintenance to mission, from survival to renewal. Many churches are looking at space – how to best use what they have, do they need a “space” at all, can they afford to keep the space they’ve cherished for so long.
Even many major corporations and other non-profits are in this season. Employees at Amazon headquarters in Seattle protested being asked to come back in to work at offices 3 days a week.
COVID, the political scene, generational differences, all have significantly changed the “way we used to be”. Denominational affiliation and attendance at worship is declining for every denomination, including many non-Christian denominations. Budgets are shrinking.
And yet – there’s hope. There’s hope when our congregations, Session, pastors, all of us, any of us, dare to do courageous ministry, to step out in faith and try something different.
April saw two outstanding congregations merge to form a new, third entity, and thus was birthed Evergreen Presbyterian Church, housed in Montgomery. They’ve already scheduled a church picnic, concerts on the lawn, and continuing celebrations, and are working on completing their Living Churches Initiative work TOGETHER. Check out their re-birth at https://www.evergreenpresbyterian.org/
There are so many ways churches can come together and share resources besides merger – so many ways to be vital and relevant to your congregation, to your community, and to the Kingdom. The Center for Learning is here to help with ideas and training!
As Isaiah said (43:19), “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”
Isn’t new fun?!?