Congregational Sabbatical in a Time of Decline

     The Dead Sea (pictured above) is the lowest point on earth.  The Jordan River flows over 1400 feet below sea level to reach the salty shores of its final resting place.  And sometimes, our church feels just like that Jordan River...running down to our final resting place.  We are afraid we might end up in the Dead Sea.  We notice all the empty pews.  Dedication and enthusiasm have evaporated long ago. We have heard the subtle sounds of desperation, "If I don't do it, who will?" We have noticed the covert reverberations of futility, "If I don't do it, what does it matter?"

     But we worship a God who promises to never leave us or forsake us, no matter how deep we go!

     So take a deep breath. God is in control. And remember, when a church is in decline, there are three things that can happen: 1) Members rev-up and try to save the sinking ship by their own strength. 2) Members drop-off and just go through the motions waiting for the church to die. 3) Members check-out and find another church.

     If you find your church in a Jordan River decline, it is the perfect time to consider Congregational Sabbath.

     First, the revved-up will rediscover that their relationship with the Head of the Church is a celebration as much as it is a duty.  This is important because it is sometimes difficult for these faithful souls to join the festivities. They are like the elder son, working the field while the fatted calf is being served.  The commandment for Sabbath is a God-given order to work-a-holics everywhere to let their burdens down; burdens that were never theirs to bear.

   Secondly, those that have dropped off are given permission to re-charge.  These members see the futility in continuing the mission of the church...at least in the same old way.  They are worn out and they have given it all they have.  They are out of gas, and that's good!  After all, it is in the darkest part of the night, when the waves are the highest, the fire is the hottest, and Pharaoh's army is the closest, that God always does his best work.

   And for those that have checked out, for those whose only answer is to leave the church behind to run down without them, let them be reminded that God does a lot with just a few loaves and fishes.  It's hard to sink in the Dead Sea.  God can change the world with twelve imperfect men and three broken-hearted women.  In all honesty, the checked-out may be right.  Perhaps it is time to shut the door, just not forever.  What is there to lose?  Let God's people go!  God reminds us time and time again that He will bring His people back.

    So let's dare to let the field lay fallow. Give the faithful permission to worship in another congregation, but continue to meet once a month with members of the old church. Eat and pray and sing together.  Listen for what God is doing in the world. Listen to what He is doing in your heart.  He will not leave you.  If the abiding sense, after your period of Congregational Sabbath, is to still close the doors of the church, you haven't lost a thing.  But don't be surprised if God might be calling you to rebuild the ancient city, and that is worth the wait:

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;

     They will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 

Isaiah 61:4

Congregational Sabbath. Less doing. More being

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Congregational Sabbath: Frequently Asked Questions

Just the FAQs about Congregational Sabbath:

1.  What would happen to our church if we stopped?
A: The real question lurking here is often, "Will our church survive financially?"  The answer is, "Yes." If you are actually coming to a complete stop, the church building could be rented to another congregation.  If you are simply simplifying by suspending programs and ministries, you just may experience a revival.  Remember, the Lord has promised to provide.  (Lev. 25:22, Luke 12:22-34)

2. What if I love serving?
A: Great!  However, if you stop serving for a season, you might even be able to use that time to learn something new.  Remember, it is okay to be served.  You will come back to your ministry refreshed and reminded of who it is you are really serving. (Luke 10:38-42)

3. If we don't do it, who will?
A: The world doesn't need another savior and God's work does not depend on ours.  God invites us to participate, but not carry. (Acts 8:26-38) God has the resources to care for all of His creation.

4. What if we lose members?
A. You might. But you might also gain members. How attractive would a place of rest and simplicity be to a stressed out and sleep-deprived world? The bigger question is Who is responsible for adding numbers? (Acts 2:47b)

5. Our church is doing so well. What if we lose momentum?
A: It is easy to assume that success means God's favor. This isn't necessarily the case.  (Rev. 3:17)

6. Will I miss my friends?
A: You can always meet with your friends. Call them on the phone. Get together for coffee and fellowship. Attend worship together and listen to our God speak to you in a different way. (Proverbs 27:17)

7. How do we pay staff?
A. If Sabbath is less than a month, have staff use vacation pay. (1 Timothy 5:18)
A. If Sabbath is more than a month, pray about providing sabbatical pay. (Leviticus 25:6)
A. Staff might also seek temporary outside pay. Paul was a tent maker. Jesus was a carpenter and occasional zymurgist. (Acts 18:3, John 2:9)

8. Okay, but what will we do during congregational sabbath?
A. Meet in your homes. (Acts 2:46)
A. Go to another worship at a different church Hebrews 10:24-25)
A. Go on a Spiritual Journey. (Deuteronomy 14:22-23)

Less doing. More being.

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An Ode to Joy

Is it any wonder that so few outside the church want to join us on our somber spiritual trek? What nerve we display when we sanctimoniously declare our Spirit-squelching services, “worship” and what arrogance we betray when we lift up decency and order as the hallmark of true faith!  

In congregational sabbath we stop working so hard at being in control and take joy in realizing we are not in control. As a result, our congregational sabbath might be a little messy.  There is no doubt that it will be less scripted.  In fact we are given permission and commission by a joyous itinerant carpenter to give up our control and embrace a more child-like faith.  Become more spontaneous. In congregational sabbath, we will be asked to surrender our throne and remember that the Lord of the Sabbath is also the Lord of our lives.
It is radical.  It appears to us, irresponsible.  Like the second round of Cana wine.  However, Jesus is the one that came to save stiff-necked and stubborn people from being too serious.  He was one that reminded us to have the faith and the wonder and the joy of a child; concerned not just with global warming, or international politics, or cancer, but also with the long faces of his parents. “Are you happy?” my three year old asks.  

“Are you happy?” our Savior asks us.  After all, the way has been opened for us to come back to Eden.  It is time for us to rediscover our true purpose.  Did you not know? Have you not heard?  The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
It was said of the early Christians in Rome:

“(T)heir faith is ‘proclaimed in all the world’ (Rom. 1:8) and their ‘obedience known to all’ (16:19). These comments probably do not suggest that the…churches are actively involved in direct missionary outreach, but rather that they are ‘missionary by their very nature’, through their unity, mutual love, exemplary conduct, and radiant joy.” (David Bosch, Transforming Mission. Maryknolll, NY:  Orbis Books, 1991, pg. 168)

In congregational sabbath, we rediscover the joy of family and neighbors, restful and appreciative communion with God, and the blessings of a superfluous universe. In congregational sabbath we stop, even in the midst of this world of sorrow, to delight in what the Lord has made:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
In congregational sabbath, God’s pursues us through valleys of shadow; casting light, offering hope; inviting us back into His presence where we will always find joy. Congregational sabbath is much more than rest. It is God's eternal invitation to get out of our pews and lift up our hands and exchange our solemnity for something that is more substantial; to trade in our pale, predictable, programmed, and professional church services so that we might once again rejoice with the God who delights in us wherever and whomever we are. 

Congregational sabbath. Less doing. More being.

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How does our church do Congregational Sabbath?

Q: How does our church do Congregational Sabbath?

       There's no "right" way.  The whole point of congregational sabbath is to let God lead. Every church must stop long enough to step behind the Good Shepherd once again.

       A church in New York city stops every year for one month.  The doors are locked and the members of the congregation are encouraged to worship elsewhere. A church in Iowa did not to have committee meetings for an entire year. Instead, they had a bulletin board on which opportunities to serve and needs to be met were posted.  Our church suspended programs and altered ministries for a year. At the end of that year, we re-evaluated everything. Some ministries were not brought back. New ministries were started.

      Congregational sabbath helps us pray in a new way.  We are used to praying something like, "Lord, please bless the work of our hands."  All the planning has been done. The fundraising has started. The ground is broken.  "Lord, please bless the work of our hands."  It's an okay prayer.  It's biblical, even:

      "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands." --Psalm 90:17

     It just shouldn't be our first prayer.  Our first prayer should be, "Lord, show us what You are doing here.  Give us eyes to see and a heart to do your will. Let your will be done." And then, after we have stopped long enough to see where the Lord is leading, "Lord bless the work of our hands."

Congregational Sabbath: Less doing. More being

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