Church Growth

[cenimo]

Anyone here in a church that has had good experience with church growth, and if so, how did your church attain it?

A brief background, ours is a small church in a small college town in the 'northern tier' of the Bible belt. To utsiders, any Episcopalian / Anglican 'service' would no doubt be perceived as RCC and that makes it a double hard sell in this area.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Peace

[Iron Sun 254]

I'm curious as to what part you have at your church in regards to obtaining this growth.

[cenimo]

Iron Sun

I'm just a layperson involved in adult Sunday School. We have an evangelism committee but they haven't even kept all their once a month meetings that were scheduled, and they have never had a meeting with 100% present.

I've seen things that didn't work (Vacation Bible School, for one) - various attmepts at "maybe this will get some new members" but as of yet, zilch.

[Brian Augustyn]

Anyone here in a church that has had good experience with church growth, and if so, how did your church attain it?

A brief background, ours is a small church in a small college town in the 'northern tier' of the Bible belt. To utsiders, any Episcopalian / Anglican 'service' would no doubt be perceived as RCC and that makes it a double hard sell in this area.

Any ideas?

I attend a mid-sized Episcopal Church in Southern Connecticut. Traditionally, New England is one of the most Episcopal-friendly areas, and our town and region are no different. In a five-mile radius of our parish there are three other Episcopal parishes.

In the last five years, we have gone from a total membership of close to 800 regular members (from about 360 families) to a high of approximately 1,000 members (and 440 families) currently. Most of those family units pledge too.:)

That growth came about more or less accidentally. At the same time that many of our older members were retiring to warmer climes (or moving on to heaven), an influx of young families were moving into town--thanks to employment opportunities (we're commutable to New York) and to improved real estate availabilities.

We became known in the area for our very lively and open family Eucharist and even without advertising, that reputation began attracting a lot of the young families who were church shopping--many of whom were not Episcopalian already. Additionally, as our our members (young families and singles) began making friends in the community with many of these new arrivals, they tended to steer their new frinds to our church. The gretatest influx of new members came by way of that process.

Now, though you can't do anything to plan for it, geography is cooperative to us as well. We are the "town square church," in that our building sits on the main street, right next to town hall green and across from the Historical Society. We and the Congregational Church across the green are the most visible churches in town and we're where most people start looking.

Finally, we have grown lately to the diminishment of two other Episcopal churches nearby. One had become more and more conservative and evangelical and the vocal minority there began loudly blasting anyone and everyone on the other side of the issue of Gene Robinson's consecration (and related topics). Their over-focus and the growing rancor in that parish chased a lot of their membership away to more conducive and peaceful churches (or to no church). They eventually lost almost 30% of their membership, either folks who weren't conservative and didn't like the tone, or folks who were very conservative and felt the church didn't make enough fuss. We saw about 10% of those refugess join us.

For the record, we are middle church and quite progressive/open, but settled and calm. Of our membership, only two folks left because we supported Gene Robinson.

Another church in our area experienced loss of membership for very different reasons. That church is most known as the Society, or money church. The oldest and most established families in our rather historical area belong to this church by tradition and legacy. Two years ago their long-time rector retired and was replaced by a young and vital priest. That priest, a woman, felt called to shift the church's focus to broader social concerns, especially as related to the nearby big city poor. The older, upper-crust, parishoners found the priest's advocacy admirable but too strident for their old-school congregation and resisted her very dilegently. In the battles between established and new, tradition and mission, the parish was torn apart. When the priest was fired, the young families and most of the single folk left that church in protest. About 10% of those came to us.

Another nearby church has gone from almost dead to very alive and thriving within about ten months. They did so by being sure to let it be known that they were radically welcoming to everyone seeking community in Christ. That church attracted many gay Christians in our region.

None of this can be planned for exactly--but you can let the community know certain things:
1. Your congregation welcomes all comers who come ernestly seeking God (if you, in fact, do welcome them.).

2. Your congrgation is especially welcoming to young families. Children are especially welcome in your services (if they are welcome).

3. Your congrgation has a commitment to children, youth and young adults when it comes to education and programs (if you in fact do so).

4. Your congregation seeks peace and harmony in the midst of passing storms, loving each other through conflicting opinions and hard feelings.

Finally, be available and friendly every time a stranger enters your church. You never know when you might be entertaining angels unaware.

:)
Brian

[Iron Sun 254]

Our church is currently actively sending out letters to all new homeowners in the area and welcoming them to the area and inviting them to the church. There are always going to be those who know of your church but choose not to go to it but you need to reach out to those who know nothing about it and let them know you're there.

[Inside Edge]

Different country, different Anglican Province, different cultural nuances, but for what it's worth:

In a diocese that is largely shrinking, one of the Anglican Churches I attend (not my regular one, the one I speak of here I only go to once a month or so when we visit my in-laws) is doing very well. It is growing in almost all areas, including better youth and younger adult membership. Things I have noticed:

- Their leadership team(s) are very active in the community, involved in everything from charity work to cultural events (hosting concerts, exchange programs with other churches over seas, craft fairs, etc). Furthermore, their involvement is very focused on the sense of community, for the sake of itself, rather than it first being advertised or presented as a conversion effort or exersize in piety.

- Extra-curricular activies...that is to say, religious and spiritual events outside of regular Sunday service. Like guest speakers, seminars, workshops, course offerings, alternate services (Sunday evening centering prayer/meditation, etc). Having so much available grabs the interest of a broader cross-section of people.

- The Rector does not shy away from hot-button issues. Some Priests, in my experience, stick to basics. They always serve the chicken, so to speak, so as not to ruffle too many feathers (sorry :) ). If you spice things up, shake people from their complacency, you may run the risk of offending (losing) a small portion, but I think this is unlikely: most people, even if in disagreement (from time to time), will feel more involved and engaged if what is said prompts reaction out of them. I say serve up the lasagna and fajita's once in a while!

- The leadership is accessible. In speaking with the Rector once, I mentioned how much I regretted not speaking to a woman who showed up alone at our "other" church one Sunday, and we never saw her again (let's just say I really, really should have spoken up). He nodded as I explained, and said, "Yeah, I've found you only get one kick at the can..." This may not apply to all churches, but how often do people come in, just visiting, and no one seems to notice? Or maybe worse, people notice but don't do anything - not even stop and say 'hi, how's it going?" Even worse yet, what if someone is seeking someone to speak with? It's not just about cornering visitors after coffee and trying to tie them down - it's simply about being accessible and letting that accesibility be known.

[cenimo]

Thanks for the replies, Brian and Inside Edge I'm going to show your input to our priest.

Peace