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
Photo from www.sxc.hu 1165481
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