Crocodiles, Christians and Church

OK--first a few statistics.  One of the fastest growing segments of the population is made up of those who claim no religious affiliation--and it is generational.  Among those considered part of the Silent Generation, ages 69-86, only 9% of Americans are religiously unaffiliated.  That number grows with each successive generation until it peaks with the Millennials, those adults aged 18-33.  Among this youngest group almost one-third of them 29%, are religiously unaffiliated.  (Source: The Christian Century, 4-16-14, 9)  For those of us who lead religious institutions this is very unsettling.  Granted, participation in religious institutions waxes and wanes--it has throughout our history as a nation.  But this seems especially challenging. 

I serve a congregation which is predominantly made up of senior citizens.  Sanibel, at least in terms of its resident population--year round or seasonal--is a primarily a retirement community, so it makes sense.  We do have some very active young families in the congregation who are here very much by choice.  They like our openness and our inclusive approach to faith and life.  Still, they are a distinct minority!  We just finished a new church pictorial directory.  It looks great!  But grey is the dominant hair color!

We've made a very conscious decision to reach out to the young people here on the island.  We've opened a weekday preschool that emphasizes art, music and academic preparation and which reflects our inclusive approach.  We've launched new mid-week programs for elementary and middle school aged kids.  We have puppets as part of our Sunday morning worship (which are loved by young and old--just ask anyone who Chompers is and they can probably tell you with a smile!)  We are beginning to incorporate different musical styles into worship, including an annual Blue Grass Sunday.  But for all our efforts, which have met with a measure of success, we are not adding younger new members.  Participants, yes.  Attendees at worship, yes.  But not members.  Not those who are intentionally religiously affiliated.

I'm not sure what this means for the future--but I am increasingly convinced that the old Protestant model built on the idea of formal membership may be passing us by.  Maybe it's time to reexamine the idea of parish.  Granted, without an established church, without an official church of the state, the parish concept loses some of its punch.  Yet, still, I am beginning to think of Sanibel as a parish, a geographically defined arena for the work and ministry of the church.  How  can we best serve our neighbors?  How can we best welcome them to participate in our life and work?  These are questions that may not be answered in my lifetime.  But they are questions this pastor must ponder on Periwinkle Way.

(Photo Credit:  "Chompers the Crocodile" courtesy Bruce Findley)