Closed Sundays?

I saw this on another blog and just could not resist. Are we closed on Sunday's as a church or should we be when we consider the cost effective nature of our budgets bursting at the seems? In a down economy should the church speak its own language in live in the hardness of a reality which is looming on the horizon for many of us?

It is in this understanding and from this that I draw on our need to become fiscal stewards of not only resources but buildings, people and their gifts, and the very nature of how we be church in this age. Certainly one would be foolish to think that the models of ministry that barely survived the 1950's and 1960's would make any sense even in this age. To repackage the same Sunday school, the same way we encounter younger families, and the way we conduct ourselves as a church gathered on Sundays would miss the boat and the chance to minster to a group of people who are hungry for belonging and good news.

Maybe perhaps if people cannot attend services on Sunday what about offering services on a different day and in a different place? To evangelize in this new era of ministry before us will be a challenge - to think outside the box and the wall of the church. If the people are not coming to church for whatever reason the church will have to go out where the people are. This is risky business but well worth it when we consider that if we do nothing as a church body we will fade into the sacred memory of the past and cease to exist. Our heritage and witness as Lutheran Christians matters - and we have something to offer even post Churchwide Assembly.

Most often I dart the CWA discussion and leave that for the pros. Whether I agree with the decisions or not is a mute point. What I am absolutely committed to and convinced of is that it is a great time to be the church. We can walk around with our heads in the sand and be full of shame - but in doing so we throw out the baby with the bath water. We dismiss the resurrected Christ who has the ability to bring hope out of darkness.

I see real hope for rural ministry and the ministry of our church the ELCA. Some days are better than others, but sisters and brothers in Christ let us tear down the walls that divide us and declare to the rest of the world that the ELCA is open for the Gospel and open for business.

Peace,

Pr. Kris