In the New Testament, the Greek word for church is “ecclesia,” which means a called out assembly or gathering of people.
Most churches have membership vows, which include common beliefs and a covenant to join with others to worship and support. Becoming a member of the church is an important rite of passage.
Yet, a recent Gallup poll had some troubling news. For the first time in our country’s history, membership in churches, synagogues and mosques fell below 50 percent (47 percent). I was aware of the decline in religious participation in the United States – which began decades ago – but the recent data is alarming.
How did this happen? The Gallup poll highlights the rise in Americans with no religious preference who do not belong to any religion. We often call these folks the “Nones,” as they are religiously unaffiliated and are not looking to join any religion. Many are spiritual, but do not feel the need to align themselves with a particular faith. The younger you are, the least likely you are to become a member of a church.
In addition to the “Nones,” I ran across another group we call the “Dones.” These are former church members who – for various reasons – are done with church. They are not done with their faith or practicing their faith: they are simply done with church. The great concern here is these folks were often the leaders, teachers, givers and were there every time the church doors were opened. You add the “Nones” and the “Dones” and church membership continues to slide.
Is there an answer to the decline? Yes, there is a movement in the church called Fresh Expressions.
“A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church.”
Fresh Expressions can be anything that an existing church does to bring people together to encounter the holy outside of regular church services.
Fifteen years ago – during the summer – people started to gather by the Nantahala River to worship on Sunday mornings. The service was for summer workers, people who love the water, canoers, kayakers and anyone else that likes the outdoors. This Fresh Expression is called the River of Life and meets Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. under the nets course at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Started by the Rev. Wayne “Wayner” Dickert – an experienced kayaker – they gather to worship by the river, just as Lydia did in Acts 16 when Paul met her and shared the words of life. Appreciating and having a passion for clean water, the group helps build wells in Haiti for the people to have safe drinking water.
The way the church does things now, people grow tired every Sunday of “plopping, paying and praying.” But with a fresh expression of faith, that builds a faith community outside the doors of the church, people can explore, serve and grow in faith.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is the pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church. Email him at ereece@wnccumc.net.