a Biblical thought...
"Don't load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on." (Luke 9:3-5)
a Book thought...
An inflexible and immobile Church is no Church at all; it is a religious relic. (p55 Needham)
a Dave thought...
I discovered some disturbing information last week. According to the National Church Life Survey 46% of Salvation Army attenders on any given Sunday across the whole territory are 65+ in age. As we are and an aging movement in an aging nation it is not a complete suprise but as Australia's population has 23% of its people 65 and over we are not a true reflection of our society.
"Don't load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on." (Luke 9:3-5)
a Book thought...
An inflexible and immobile Church is no Church at all; it is a religious relic. (p55 Needham)
a Dave thought...I discovered some disturbing information last week. According to the National Church Life Survey 46% of Salvation Army attenders on any given Sunday across the whole territory are 65+ in age. As we are and an aging movement in an aging nation it is not a complete suprise but as Australia's population has 23% of its people 65 and over we are not a true reflection of our society.
As my current appointment is to help create new energy and momentum for the 13-30 year olds we are certainly facing a challenging time. We seem to provide our best programs and worship services for the seniors, and they certainly have their place, but how do we ensure we have a future? It is certainly not a case of just running more attractional programs for the departed age groups, but rather we must improve our self esteem as a movement and be proud of God's idea for us to be a missional church movement who is radical, and innovative, not tired and old. We must no longer sit idly by but we need to be about reaching out beyond our own congregations to a hurting world. It seems to me that the seniors of our movement understand why we exist more than the rest of us, maybe because we had it right 50 years ago and they live to tell the story.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
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2 comments:
been observed that not only is the majority of those in church both here and the USA are seniors/baby boomers, but they provide something like 80% of the churches money. When the seniors go the money goes with them.
I think Dave, the tide is turning, speak to the kids who were a part of the NZ experience and they really are 'getting it!'The generation coming through now, are far more switched on than we give them credit for.
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