| Reflections on the 2010 Greater Milwaukee Synod Assembly Click here to return to the Church Innovations web site.
Can you feel the love tonight? In the echo of the 2010 Greater Milwaukee Synod assembly most attendees would answer a resounding, "yes." You would have to have completely lost the "love we had at the first," (Rev. 2:4) not to have felt the love of God many times during the assembly. Bishop Jeff's passionate gratefulness for the church and heartfelt appreciation for congregations and individuals who offer themselves in service was very moving. Even a resolution debate’s long amendment detour through parliamentary purgatory (if you managed to remain alert!) yielded stirring testimony; Pastor Mark Jaramillo celebrated that our synod embodies life beyond the walls of, "us and them." We truly are a church that joins congregation and judicatory in the communion of saints that is ours in Christ. Our synod assembly was a, “love feast,” à la the book of Acts—a gathering, “in a spirit of harmony, good will and congeniality.” (Wikipedia). Yet, deep down many know all is not well. Well, truth be told, we may not know it. With the human race, we are masters of denial and avoidance of the truths that matter most. G. Niles Standish in his book, "Becoming a Blessed Church," constructs a fourfold description of congregational wellness. Paradigms like this are always awkward. No church fits perfectly in any of these descriptions. But he helps us move beyond denial and avoidance. Level one is a church that is in a healthy zone. Here would be a church that fits most of our adjectives of being well; evangelizing, dwelling in the Word, reproducing, disciple making, sustaining, justice seeking, inclusive, walking with the poor, serving, etc., etc., Level two is a church that is functional. The elements of level one are still evident. The ritual life of the church is still alive. But there are signs that all is not well. Most active participants are older and the leadership transition from one generation to the next in most areas from altar guild to treasurer is not being made. Imagining the next generation as leaders of the church is more difficult. Level three is a church that is dysfunctional. Here the grumbling and strain that began at level two begin to characterize the community. Threats to the system reach the level of fear that cause people to be mean to each other. At level three we have conflict via email. Level four is the hospice care of the dysfunctional church. We don't fight much anymore. We may not say it but we know the end is near. We're thankful for the time we had together and grateful if the institution exists long enough for at least one more occasion to, "serve sandwiches and sing amazing grace." (one of Bishop Jeff's many great lines at the assembly!). Our beloved Greater Milwaukee Synod and ELCA is somewhere between level three and four. Of course, many congregations are in the healthy zone. Certainly we have many level two congregations. All of our congregations in some ways have aspects and moments that are faithful and effective in Christ. But, overall, the writing is on that assembly themed wall. As a synod we are not well. Numerous worldwide church leaders have speculated that the age of the denomination is over. Their assumption is that the passing of the ELCA is a sign of the times. Our misery finds company in the decline of sister denominations and non-denominations. As congregations close and the balloon of primary benevolence slowly leaks, it is difficult to argue. Bishop Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl was right in her report for churchwide, “mission support rocks.” However, collectively as a church, we are not rollin’. In less than 10 years mission support to the ELCA has declined from 70 to 53 million. We need not go quietly into that bad night.* There is still time. Level two and three congregations can renew. Level one congregations still exert huge leverage as partners in a coalition of those who care. In the absence of an honest grasp of reality, love feasts anaesthetize us from the truth. It is too early for us as a synod to provide comfort care. We urgently need strategic life saving and rescue operations. We need loving mutual accountability relationships that aid congregations in taking new steps toward life. Thank God Jesus lets the dead bury the dead and things happen in the midst of funerals. While the sandwiches are served and amazing grace is sung there is repentance and new life. There is resurrection.
Greg Van Dunk is Pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in Muskego, WI. He is also the ELCA Mission Director for the Greater Milwaukee Synod. |
|