As a New Year begins, the idea which is paramount on my mind is church growth.
Each of us has our own reasons for wanting the church to grow. For most of us, the reason is pretty simple: we want to share this beautiful religion. What would it look like for us to “share” this religion?
First, more of us need to ask our friends and acquaintances to visit our church. We need to be enthusiastic about our church to people we work with or people we meet in secular activities! If we are growing to grow, we have to ask people to visit our church. Research shows that non-church-going people visit churches and later join them because they were invited!
Second, we need to start talking about our mission to “…create a loving community for worship and service in the spirit of Jesus Christ” and to “… welcome all and respect individual beliefs as we grow together.” We have a wide range of theological and Christological beliefs here at UNMC. And that is very affirming to all of us. If this free-religious faith is meaningful to us, don’t you think it would be the same for others? People in our world are hungry for spiritual nourishment in a religious community that accepts them with love. Our congregation’s mission clearly affirms this and we need to make it part of the “fabric of our lives.”
The hard question: Are we being selfish by not sharing our experience, speaking out, telling others about our own religious community?
Third, we need to learn more about this Universalism we love so much.
That means adult religious education classes. In this coming year, we will offer some Universalist theology and/or Universalist history classes. When we do, find a way to participate. The experience will strengthen our religious faith.
Growing UNMC means giving up the comfort of our Sunday-religious experience in a “small group,” but we don’t have to give up our small group feel. Covenant groups and small group ministry will give us the comfort we seek in our religious experience, as well as a way to deepen our religious experience.
In turn, our Sunday morning religious experience—with more of us in the pews—will be more joyous, more affirming, and more spirit-filled than what we now know.
As always, a New Year brings the opportunity for new growth. There will bring many newcomers to our church. There will be changes; be open to them. Share your ideas, feelings, and thoughts with me and the deacons, or members of the welcome and membership committee. It will take each one of us to grow UNMC.
Have a wonderful beginning of your New Year, share your religion, and bring a friend to church!
See you in church,
Rev. Lillie
Suggested Reading
By popular request, we have included current books on Universalism. If you have a suggestion, please send to Rev. Henley by email.
If Grace is True Why God Will Save Every Person – Philip Gulley and James Mulholland
Love Without Limit – Walter Williams
The Inescapable Love of God – Thomas Talbott
The Evangelical Universalist – Gregory MacDonald
Destined for Salvation – Kalen Fristad – easy to read, thorough. Rev. Fristad is the retired Methodist minister who preached here at UNMC this past summer.
What Does the Bible Really Say about Hell? – Randy Klassen
Posted by UNMC Office at January 2, 2008 03:20 PM