Posted on 12/27/2005 8:33:10 AM PST by sionnsar
[Posted for comment. --sionnsar]
Counter Cultural Leadership in a Declining Denomination
December 27, 2005
For 34 years I have been an Episcopal Priest. For most of this time, the church that I serve has been in decline. For years I have struggled hard to understand this decline and why the church that means so much to me cannot seem to find a viable future in our society.
I have written several articles on this topic over the past 12 years. I have looked at this issue from a historical perspective. I have explored the sociological aspects and demographics of this decline. I have looked at the generational dynamics. I have even speculated on the theological aspects of this decline. On the 2020 Taskforce, I even tried to put into action things that could address this decline and build up the church. Over the years, I have tried to caution those who try to explain this decline in simplistic and easy answers. I feel safe in saying that I have a good grasp on why ECUSA is declining and even what could be done about it.
However, on the deepest of personal levels, I have to confess that I really do not understand this decline. I do not know why a majority of our congregations cannot grow. Personally, I am baffled by the number of churches that I see failing to attract new people. The reason that I am so baffled is based on my experience as a leader over all these years.
You see the churches and ministries that I have served have all grown. This would include the one that I served as an assistant right out of seminary. This includes the three parishes that I served as a rector, even my first one which had a high level of conflict. This includes a Para-church ministry that I served for four years. It includes the Episcopal Diocese of Texas that I served for 10 years.
Let me make this clear. I am not saying that I was singularly the reason that these places grew. I would, of course, give the credit to God. I would also mention that each situation involved a team of leaders of which I was only one. My point is not that I did it, but that my experience has always been amidst growth. In other words, I have spent my entire ministry counter-cultural to the denomination.
Since I was a leader in these various places, what did I do or believe that helped this growth take place? I have given this a lot of thought lately as I labor to help turn around the Cathedral here in Dallas.
I thought that I would share in this last newsletter for 2005 some of my own attitudes and values that may help explain my counter-cultural existence in the Episcopal Church. You may find some of these helpful. I know you will find some of these observations evocative. Here goes!
1. As a person from an un-churched family who was found by and found the church, I have never been comfortable being a chaplain to satisfied Episcopalians.
2. Conversely, I have always believed that the lost are of greater value to God then those in the sheep fold. In other words, my God has always been the illogical God who would leave the 99 to find the one.
3. I have always believed that vibrant and engaging Anglican Worship has a place in our culture and will attract people.
a. I do not value cool, jaded and detached worship
b. I believe it is a sin to bore people
c. I believe inspiration is a good word
d. I believe there is a world of difference between "doing the liturgy" and "engaging in worship."
4. I believe that the greatest sin in Anglican preaching is the absence of the emotional presence of the preacher. Consequently, I believe passion is a virtue in a preacher and a leader. I share John Wesley's belief that if you "set yourself on fire in the pulpit, the whole world will come to see you burn!"
5. As a post-seminary convert to Christ, I know that people can have a PhD in Theology or scripture or Church History and "know not Christ."
6. As a leader, I have learned.
a. To have an abiding dissatisfaction with the status quo
b. That modeling is not a way we teach, it is the only way we teach
c. That you cannot lead from the middle of a crowd or by re-stating conventional wisdom
d. That our system rewards well-meaning pastors while marginalizing creative and innovative leaders
e. That creativity and innovation are found on the margins of institutions and not among those who most benefit from the present system
f. That leaders who read their own press reviews are dangerous and that narcissism is a powerful and additive drug
g. That leaders who have high expectations of people and demand sacrifice and commitment often get it from those they lead
h. That most congregations are controlled by the 5% most dysfunctional members in it
i. That holding an office of a leader does not mean that you are a leader
j. That adversity can make me angry and bitter or it can make me a better leader
k. That avoiding conflict usually makes it worse
l. That denial is not a river in Egypt, but if it is, many of our national leaders have build homes along its banks
m. That nothing changes until someone tells the truth
n. That people follow leaders who have vision and have abandoned self-interest
The Rev. Kevin Martin heads Vital Church Ministries in the Diocese of Dallas. He is based at Christ Church, Plano, Texas.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. [The Rev. Kevin Martin heads Vital Church Ministries in the Diocese of Dallas. He is based at Christ Church, Plano, Texas.]
I would guess that he is not a bible beleiver but is of those who would follow the new age and dead, liberal, we can do without Jesus Christ church.
If so, he is of those who will not see the kingdom of heaven because of the unbelief of the Word of God, the Holy Bible. All the bible is God inspired but so many of todays priests and pastors no longer believe the word of God is infalliabe, they are under the delusion that Christianity is essential to our salvation by grace through faith in the faith that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day for our salvation.
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
[The Rev. Kevin Martin heads Vital Church Ministries in the Diocese of Dallas. He is based at Christ Church, Plano, Texas.]
I would guess that he is not a bible beleiver but is of those who would follow the new age and dead, liberal, we can do without Jesus Christ church.
If so, he is of those who will not see the kingdom of heaven because of the unbelief of the Word of God, the Holy Bible. All the bible is God inspired but so many of todays priests and pastors no longer believe the word of God is infalliabe, they are under the delusion that Christianity is not essential to our salvation by grace through faith in the faith that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again the third day for our salvation.
2nd Timothy 3
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
You didn't read the article, did you?
Rev. Martin has a vibrant, personal faith in Jesus Christ. He lives for worship of the Living God (not like the bibliolaters among us do) and he has a heart for the lost. If more "bible believing Christians" walked their talk this world would be a radically different place. Now, quit spouting criticism and go and DO THE WORD!!!
I read the article and was struck by the fact that the Reverend has such a high opinion of his own role in the salvation of his fellow believers. I'm sorry, but an author who constantly refers to himself as a "leader" isn't much of one.
Priesthood is a calling and a vocation. This man appears to treat it as a profession. Try that same soft stuff in New England and see where it gets you. In a conservative part of the country you can still by force of professional skill keep an organization running somewhat happily.
The givaway was when he said..."I...even speculated on the theological aspects of this decline"
"Even?" Wow pal. That's really going out on limb for Christ there when you get driven to that.
Aw, for pete's sake...this priest is in Plano, Texas...one of the few remaining ECUSA Dioceses that have not completely turned their backs on Scripture & the Formularies of the Anglican Church in order to put a white collar or a purple shirt on some homosexual & install them in the pulpit to teach their "New Gospel" of "I'm OK, You're OK" inclusivity.
It doesn't take a theological genius to figure out that the Holy Spirit isn't going to lead people into these so-called "churches" where they teach a Gospel of Lies! And, that, sadly is just what the majority of ECUSA priests & Bishops are doing. Of course they're not growing. Dead things don't grow...they putrify.
That line caught my attention too. It seemed almost cavalier, as if the last twenty years or so had made no difference, or should have made no difference, to the faithful, "satisifed episcopalian."
A peculiar essay.
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