The Future of the Church

The other assistants to the Bishop and I most frequently hear vacant congregations in the call process say, "We want a new pastor who is good with youth. After all the youth are the future of our congregation."

I cringe every time I hear that remark. First of all it usually is a sign that they are worried about their future. They can see that heads are graying and that Sunday School classes are getting smaller. They have concern as they think about where they will be in 10 or 20 years if current trends continue.

Second, rarely is it a concern for the youth of their community and their struggles and issues. It is a concern for their own well being and the congregation's future. All of the assistants would welcome a congregation that sees its mission as ministering to all of the youth of its community. The issues and pressures of identity, sexuality, vocation and materialism are powerfully impacting our youth. They need to hear the Gospel and see it modeled by adults.

Third, what an awful burden to lay on our children. The current state of the church has happened on our watch. It simply is not fair to expect our children to keep our institutions going the way we remember them.

Fourth, I remind congregations that our youth are the church today. Reports I have received from pastors who attended the youth event in Atlanta all mention their youth coming home and wanting to get involved in ministry in their own congregations. I still remember with amazement the teenage assisting ministers who helped lead worship with me. Their maturity and giftedness blessed the worshipping community. As we affirm our youth as the church of today, so they will be the church of tomorrow.

Finally, the future of the church is the Holy Spirit. Remember Luther's explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed? "I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

As our congregations share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with youth, neighbors, friends, relatives, so the Holy Spirit works through that Gospel to call people to faith and being part of the Body of Christ. The Gospel shared and the work of the Holy Spirit is the future of the Church. The Holy Spirit is the future of the Church. Thanks be to God!!

Ray Gottschling,
Assistant to the Bishop