We have all acknowledged that ecclesias are in trouble (Both The Tidings and The Christadelphian recently summarized our plight in separate articles)1. A decline in interest and attendance (the rate of decline of 1% a year in the UK is mirrored both in parts of our community and nearly all other denominations)2, in quality teaching, in financial donations, and a combination of apathy, divisiveness and resignation plagues some of our community. This is in combination with a secular culture that relentlessly pounds us with messages that subvert the fundamentals of our faith. If ever there was a time to “hold fast”3, this is it. Here are some thoughts that may help us redirect our paths in the days ahead:
Let us not be surprised
One fundamental of our faith, that we quickly forget and underestimate, is how pervasive the mind of the flesh is. Our minds are literally “hostile to God” (Rom 8:7). Our flesh loves apathy, divisiveness and the notion of quitting. It thrives on being comfortable and predictable, and loathes us asking if what we are doing is meaningful or productive. Hebrews describes us as being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13). This is not a surprise for students of Christ’s teachings: We know we love excuses and ritual. Doing the same, unsurprising things brings comfort, even if we know it is a worthless exercise. Talking about our inclination to mediocrity and doing the perfunctory, these characteristics of ourselves, rather than being ambushed by them, will encourage us in the days ahead. More than anything else we should reminded what Peter tells us: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the…ordeal among you…as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Pet 4:12).
Let us not give in to fear or paralysis:
We have divinely inspired instructions as to how to conduct ecclesial endeavors. The key now, knowing we are in a crisis of our own making, is not to give in to panic, blame or despair. This is exactly what the serpent thinking thrives on. We know the difficulty we’re in. What else can we do, but the things of Scripture? But far more deliberately and intentionally, let us recall the passion, the “inexpressible joy” we all had in days past.
Using Scripture to arbitrate our decisions is the most comforting component of our problem; our decisions will be moderated by God’s divine ideas.
We have the clear direction from Acts 2 about the nature of our meetings: praising, singing hymns, fellowship, studying, breaking bread, continuously meeting together, and giving charitably.
Let us accept what cannot be changed:
There is no resolution to the reality that our community exists on a large continuum.
Some have far more liberal views than others. Some are more insistent on traditional (conservative) influences. It has been this way for generations. Both of these mindsets have their strengths. Both have, at their roots, a desire to serve meaningfully. This will not change.
Remember the first order of our faith: “Whatever else happens, conduct yourself according to the gospel of Christ” (Phil.1:27). Spending time improving in this area, as opposed to trying to change what will not change, will improve virtually every aspect of our lives.
Let us be clear minded:
The best thing about Christadelphians is this: we sincerely want to know what God wants of us. We have doggedly searched Scripture to get insight into this. And, having seen the light of Scripture, we are equally doggedly trying to sustain this message for ourselves, and transmit this message to the public and our children.
As we’re told the first ecclesias “gladly received his word”. Let’s remember the purpose of the ecclesia: that those in attendance will leave the meeting more desirous of serving the God of Scripture. Anything less is a failure of purpose. If people are coming away uninspired, harried, bored, unengaged, untaught or ignored, we have not met our ecclesial obligations. .
Watch out for the self-fulfilling prophecy: “Look, ecclesias are in trouble. Nothing is working, so let’s not try something new because we know it won’t work.” Or, “No one’s engaged with the meeting. Hmmm, this must be the time when ‘the hearts of many will grow cold’. We shouldn’t expect success.”
Let’s call things by their real names: If something is wrong, let’s address it. If something is not wrong, but we’re describing it as evil, let’s also discuss that. One example comes from an older brother who tells us: when radios first came out there were those who castigated them as evil. Things that are new or modern are not the problem. Anything can be used for ill. Any modern media can be an example of this. All the more reason to have informed discussions about everything.
Let us improve the quality of our teaching:
Instructional theory is very pointed in this. The best way to improve learning is to improve the quality of teachers. It follows that solid Biblical instruction fosters good Bible students.
- Remember the Apostle’s assertion: “I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1Cor 14:19 NIV). This means Paul thought teaching and learning trumped the gift of the Holy Spirit! Someone with the Holy Spirit might be encouraged temporarily, but someone who has a deeper understanding of our calling has a far more sustainable asset. Incredible! Even 2000 years ago, ecclesial leadership promoted the importance of good teaching.
- Hold brothers and sisters who teach to a high standard of accountability. If they were not clear in their lesson, tell them. If they babbled, tell them. If they weren’t prepared, tell them. Politely, discreetly, and gently, of course.
Conversely, be specific about their strengths.
- Insist that those who speak/teach have a message for everyone, not just to those interested in the minutiae of Scripture.
- If we are doing anything for the public, let’s be sure it is the highest quality possible.
- It is better to ‘do less, better’, than to do the same things we’ve always done.
- Variety and audience engagement are solid predictors of instructional success: Let’s be prepared to think out of the box. Start, immediately, doing things that show that our audiences are engaged with the class or presentation. Stop doing anything, immediately, that doesn’t show evidence our audiences are actively interested in what we’re teaching.
- In classes, insist that ‘discussion time’ (instructional theory states discussion is up to 50% effective) is equal to or greater than ‘speaking’ (only 5% effective!) time. This will do several things:
- It will provide an opportunity for everyone to participate.
- It will reduce our community’s dependence on the hierarchy of those who are continually called on to speak.
- It will distribute the learning, and responsibility, to more people.
Let us remember whose job it is to be transformed: ours A.
Remind ourselves: It is about all of us individually coming to the God of Heaven. The ecclesia is sometimes a vehicle to this. Sadly, this vehicle can, at times, have flat tires. But that does not eliminate the responsibility of those who ought to be seeking. If our greater ecclesia is in trouble, that’s the time to roll up our sleeves and work. It is also the time to individually, read, pray and reflect more.
We can spend our whole lives lamenting what we don’t have. Ecclesias and the brotherhood are made up of the flesh. Spending time being critical of the ecclesia is all too easy. Thoughtful reflection on what we do ecclesially, and being more inclusive, can’t help but improve the status quo.
Ecclesial difficulties do not eliminate our responsibility to hold fast to the high calling. Ecclesial difficulties do not cancel out our personal obligation to be those that seek first the Kingdom of God.
It really is about families:
Parents, devoted to their children, are a trans formative force.
It is about strong families. Parents who are intent on living up to the high calling are the core of any ecclesia. Expecting sustainability from any other source is misguided.
Keeping our children close to us, talking to them about Scripture, reading together and living as examples are the first order of our future. Remember the proverb: “but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Prov 29:15).
It is a myth that children need lots of peers. It is a myth that giving children much time on their own builds independence. It is a myth that giving children unsupervised access to computers builds in them responsibility. Having parents that care about them, monitor them and hold them to account is far more likely to build the strong, independent decision makers we need children to grow into.
Conclusion
We live in a time like no other. We’ve never had such wealth, ease and comfort. Never in history has it been that most households have a relatively struggle free, leisure-oriented existence (and yes, we recognize many of us still have profoundly difficult trials).
This perennial comfort and ease is a perfect setting for the alarm, apathy and disengagement that we now see. It is the perfect setting for the active deception of the flesh. It provokes us to throw up our hands and surrender to resignation and paralysis. This throwing up of our hands is the work of the flesh. We must master it.
We can’t help but reflect on Scripture to guide us in the goals we set in the days ahead. There is a reason that Scripture says “I, even I, am your comforter…” and “I am the Lord, there is none else”. This is Scripture’s way of saying there is no other meaningful purveyor of guidance, comfort and direction than God’s word. Our flesh wants us to forget this. Let us embrace the true light of Christ’s teachings and passionately “draw near to God” and “resist the devil” of fear, confusion and resignation.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One