Earlier this week, my post “Can Christianity Be Saved” considered Ross Douthat’s July 14, 2102, New York Times editorial “Can Liberal Christianity Be Saved?,” and Diana Butler Bass’s reply later that same day on the Huffington Post. During the course of the week I returned to the topic in online and in person conversations. The most encouraging part of the dialogue was the shared understanding about three interelated matters:
- There is a real problem;
- The problem is far larger than the mainline; and
- Real solutions/ways forward must differ radically from present practices.
Anthony B. Robinson, President of Congregational Leadership Northwest and author of several books (including Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations – read my review here), wrote a response on Day1 that considers the arguments advanced by Douthat and Bass before proposing an understanding of the bigger issues (see #1 on my list above). Robinson focuses on the group he knows best: the mainline. He proposes consideration of three matters:
- Addressing the move from mainline (effectively the de-facto established church in the U.S) to the sideline (accepting disestablishment);
- Overcoming a shortage of leaders, including the larger systemic issues that have contributed to such a shortage; and
- Recognizing that smaller congregations may not be sustainable in the marketplace given the dominant staffing model and determining appropriate systemic reform to overcome this limitation.
So What?
Like Robinson, my primary experience is in mainline Christianity. While some of the changes/reforms that could help the mainline move toward a healthier future would also aid Evangelicals and Catholics, many would not be well suited for those traditions. A great deal of the discussion about reform in recent years has been reactive as the result of declining revenue, and focused on the denominational structures more than the local church. This work has increased awareness of the problems, but alone is inadequate for crafting viable solutions.
- As you look ahead 10 to 20 years, what changes do you see needed in the mainline? How likely do you feel each is? (for my take on this read “The Future Church v.2020 – 10 Shifts.”)
- What big issues in the mainline would you add to Robinson’s list?
- Is your local congregation involved in increasing understanding of the problem and empowering people to work together toward a hope-filled future? If so, how? If not, how might your church begin doing so?