Joan asks,
In your blog post “A Peek at the Future Church,” you list some of your futuristic ideas. My question is, How does one go from what the church is today to becoming the church of the future?
I think the real question might be, Is the church ready for change—a big change? My quick answer would be an emphatic “No!” The institutional church is notorious for not changing directions quickly. But I suspect some folks are discussing quietly in the back room the changes churches need to make.
I suspect these changes will not be implemented in some of the more traditional churches, such as Lutheran, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox, because they are too invested in their traditions, prayer books, liturgies, and what I call “smells and bells.”
I feel that new ideas about the future church will be formulated by ecumenical and interfaith seminaries. Seminaries of specific denominations are almost a thing of the past. My seminary is on its last legs after a long, slow dying process. Thirty years ago, I wanted my seminary to join forces with the ecumenical and interfaith seminary across the street. It refused to do so, and now it’s almost out of business.
Often, bishops and active clergy are hesitant to make any moves, knowing that they will lose members no matter what change they attempt. Consequently, radical changes do not occur in local churches, even as the ecclesiastical Titanic goes down.
The radical changes needed will likely come from the more progressive churches, such as the United Church of Christ, which has a history of trying new ideas despite the resistance.
As I peek at congregations on Sunday morning using Zoom, I see mostly what I call the “whiteheads,” referring to old guys who are hanging in there, not at all eager for change. My reason for bringing this up is in the hope that some church members who read my blog might see the subject matter as food for thought and start to change their congregation’s thinking.
I also believe that there is some philanthropic foundation out there that might be willing to invest thousands into a prototype of a future church.
Joan, ask your pastor about his or her vision for the future church. Then suggest that maybe other members might also be interested in such a discussion group, and see what happens.
Good luck! And I’m always ready to lead such a discussion for free.
PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness
Bil
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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.
Photo by Bankim Desai on Unsplash
Bil, I always appreciate your thought-provoking writings. Keep up the good work! 😀
Many thanks Don. I appreciate the positive input.
We’re going to miss the AID’s Walk this year because it’s at night, not necessarily user-friendly for us “mature” folks. It we’re in town we have done it since way back in the late 80s. It’s been an important part of our life but Duane says they’re trying to interest younger folks and we certainly understand. But we are doing the HomeBoys 5 K in LA on Saturday morning, the 21st. PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness Bil