David Henson recently wrote a guest post on Bruce Reyes-Chow’s site sugg
esting that the best approach to the deathly ill group of denominations known as mainline Protestantism is realistic hope. Henson does not propose a new way forward that will reverse the decades of decline. Instead he suggests that those aware of death’s nearness are more likely to act boldly and that for Christians and the mainline there is life beyond death. He ends the article with these words:
Because when we embrace death, then perhaps we might more easily see the ways we are killing the world with oppression, pollution and injustice.
Because when we embrace death, we are more willing to walk among it and less likely to be content to sit in pews.
Because when we embrace death, resurrection will not be long in coming.
So What?
Regardless of your personal position on the most likely future of mainline Protestantism, assume for a few minutes that its ongoing decline will eventually end in death. With that in mind:
- How would embracing this view change how you think of yourself and your ministry? how your local congregation understands itself and engages in ministry in the community and world?
- What do you imagine resurrection looks like for the mainline? What might life after this current life look like?