Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
I am writing this while traveling across this wonderful nation of ours. I heard an incredible thing after Eucharist Sunday and I have to share it with you.
I found myself at this little Episcopal church in a suburb outside of St. Louis. I mean little! From the front I could see the framework and original construction of the tiny little quarry town church. Then there were additions.
In the nave, you could see where the old pews stopped (enough for about 60-70 people). Then the new architecture revealed obvious addition(s). The hillside foundation gave room for a fellowship hall beneath the expansion of the nave.
I hope I have painted this picture well. It was a quaint little church that started over a hundred years ago. Here is the kicker: it is still a mission church! They have never had more than a hundred people in the congregation and they have never gained parish status. My mind was reeling when I heard this.
This was no longer a small mining town. There were huge Episcopal churches in their diocese but none in the immediate area. I start judging and feeling proud of our church. I was especially proud of our vestry since that church doesn't, or can't have one. Where is their outreach? What about some good old fashion evangelism? Then it hit me: what am I doing, where is our growth?
We have been at the same numbers here for a long time. I asked myself "How many of my friends have I brought to church? How many people could use our hospitality and welcoming environment? How many folks are wondering why I haven't asked or invited them to share in our thanksgiving?"
I would challenge each of us to ask these questions to ourselves and respect the answers. Sometimes the answers are harder than the questions....
In His Service,
Tucker Wright