With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #6.
There are many positive aspects of this church, but with an aging congregation, their future is bleak. Caught in time, circa 1960, their service would have been nice then, even inviting. Now it’s out-of-date.
When fifty-something visitors are among the youngest present, that’s a real problem.
The church’s budget is barely enough to cover operational expenses, let alone pay a pastor. Even worse, the prior week’s offering fell far short of the budget.
Their aging leader can’t receive much compensation from them, if any.
Perhaps that’s why he also pastors another church. At eighty years old, I wonder how much longer he’ll be able to lead them.
When that time comes what will they do? Will they find someone else to take his place? I worry over what is next for them.
[See my reflections about Church #5 and Church #7 or start with Church #1.]
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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