The “low Protestant” end of churches offer a lot of freedom in the conduct of worship but frustratingly little published advice for ministers, at least apart from conducting weddings and funerals. So I was happy to find something to share.
Continue reading “What makes a pastoral prayer?”Too many bits, not enough paper
I wonder if even small churches rely too much on digital resources and not enough on paper.
How many of the smallest churches could manage with hand-written checks and bookkeeping systems? (Like these.) An evergreen and simple website, sure, but reinforced by a well-maintained voicemail message? A standard order of service pasted into the hymnal (or handed out and reused) with announcements and hymn boards to fill in the variable bits. A newsletter printed on paper and handed out or mailed monthly? Or if that’s too much, a quarterly or annual calendar? Birthday cards send out, rather than Facebook? And a leadership roster to be stuck on the fridge, or even a church directory? Maybe even the neglected corkboard called back into use, as much a focus for shy persons at church functions as an information source.
These old, stand-by solutions took workers and resources, but I suspect in the smallest churches there are more people who can help this way than if all the systems are pushed through the bottleneck of comfort with computers, smartphones and social media.
If the unspoken facts came out, I wonder how many churches have folded for want of a pianist or treasurer, and if that number is greater or fewer than the want of a minister: professionalized, seminary-trained, full-time, residential or otherwise.
The worrisome articles
Part of my thought about small churches come from that article — perhaps more properly the associated commentary — from minister and academic Ryan Burge. His pastorate, First Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, Illinois closed July 21. Lots of little churches are dying, and I know one or another of the news pieces are stirring feelings of fear and apprehension.
The broader coverage may be read without a paywall from Religion News:
https://religionnews.com/2024/07/22/in-small-town-illinois-a-little-church-says-goodbye
Deseret News seems to have the commentary without the paywall:
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/07/25/ryan-burge-church-closing-the-nones
I hear the story of a shrinking church within a shrinking town, and know that’s hard to overcome. (Mount Vernon has been declining in population since the 1990 census.) This is the formula the decimated the Universalists in the decade either side of 1920. That church made the decision it must, and many others will too. But I can’t help wonder what would have been different if that church had a smaller building, a history of acceptable dormancy (such as closing over the winter) or a practice of other than a professional or residential (or both) minister. Once lost, it’s hard to create something new, and now rather than a thinner church there is none at all.
The small church and smallness generally
I’ve been meditating on smallness, particularly but not exclusively on those shrinking, declining and dying churches we hear and read so much about today. I gently hold that thought with the hope and faith in Jesus Christ, by whom all things are made, and in whom we have our health. If the captain of our salvation can be emptied, even unto death, then how is smallness anything to fear?
I have learned that I meditate better when I take on a project that runs in parallel, allowing the experience of that other activity to add its own information — otherwise, I’m prone to think about thinking and not proceed very far. Surely others do this too. How many loaves of bread or crocheted whatnots have come into being as a vehicle for thought and prayer. I’m more likely to clean fountain pens, or type out something on a console: that green-lettered interface some of used a third of a century ago. Somehow working with something constrained, and not altogether modern, helps. Those tools, also, may be picked up again and against expectation be put to productive use. A continuing thought…
Sermon: “Calming the Storm”
I preached from this sermon manuscript for the Universalist National Memorial Church on June 23, 2024 using lesson from the Revised Common Lectionary from 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 and Mark 4:35-41.
Continue reading “Sermon: “Calming the Storm””Simple, low-cost tips for video services
While some people go bird watching, I go denomination watching, especially during the annual meeting season. When I learned about the Primitive Methodist Church, I knew I had to browse their websites.
They are a small denomination with congregational polity (unlike most Methodists) and a focus on practical mission initiatives like a school for ministry, a campground and a investment/loan fund. Little wonder then that their National Mission Board suggestions for video production — posted at the start of the pandemic — are low-cost, high-impact, briefly stated and practical. An admirable list, and the suggestion “DON’T record with the camera pointing UP at you. No one wants to see up your nose” made me laugh out loud.
What a joy it would be if every denomination had such useful information. Worth emulating.
The Affirmation of Social Principles (1943)
There was only one Universalist national meeting during the Second War War. They were biennial, and the 1941 and 1945 meetings just book-ended the United States participation in the war. I’ve not been able to read the Christian Leader, the denominational newspaper from that period and so much of what I have been able to discern has been from the record of that one meeting, in New York, held at the Church of the Divine Paternity, now known as Fourth Universalist. It was thinly attended — 117 delegates; there was a war on, after all — but plenty occurred. The denomination formally adopted new bylaws as the Universalist Church of America for one. The delegates approved the following Affirmation of Social Principles for another, which I’ve attached below. It’s worth noting how they were already looking past the war years to a new age, and a spirit which surely persisted into consolidation with the Unitarians.
At some point I’ll get this on one of my documents sites, but since those could use a cleanup, I’ll post it here first.
Read more: The Affirmation of Social Principles (1943)THE AFFIRMATION OF SOCIAL PRINCIPLES
of
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF AMERICA
Adopted at New York City October, 1943
We Universalists avow our faith in the supreme worth of every human personality, and in the power of men of good will and sacrificial spirit to overcome all evil and progressively establish the Kingdom of God. This faith is being challenged on every side. We therefore re-affirm our historic stand and call upon our people to think through and act upon that faith.
Now is the time for greatness. There have been few if any periods in the entire history of the human race when men have had such an opportunity to mold the future. We stand at the great divide. On one side lies a land of promise, an unprecedented opportunity to build a better world than has ever been known. On the other side lies a return to the old order with its greed, poverty and war.
The hour for decision is at hand. We must move backward toward the old or forward toward the new. It is a fateful decision to make, for destiny will be determined by it; but we cannot and would not escape the responsibility.
Partialism cannot solve the problems of today and tomorrow. Partialism limits, divides and excludes. It emphasizes nationalism, racism, classism, sectarianism, caste and privilege, and it inevitably issues in conflict. Partialism is the underlying philosophy of an old order which was founded on a technological and sociological isolationism which no longer exists. It is discredited and impotent, It cannot construct, a unified and universalized civilization, but will lead us backward to the past. That way lies disaster.
The peoples of the world have built an interdependent and integrated culture. Nations, races, classes share a common heritage of science. Airplanes have abolished boundaries. Radios have brought the voice of every people into our homes. Industry has distributed far and wide the commodities of inventive genius. Music, art and education speak a common language.
The only possible philosophy for a better world is universalism. It alone is realistic and creative. In it lies the hope of mankind; without it we are doomed.
This faith means that, the whole is greater than the parts. It is the philosophy and the religion of the all-inclusive. It interprets life in terms of the universals and the unities. It levels barriers, abjures prejudice, and renounces all that sets man against his fellow man. It endeavors to integrate humanity into one harmonious co-operating unity.
This faith demands that the common humanity of all races be recognized.
This faith demands that all men of all classes, races, creeds, shall abjure war as a method of solving international disputes and shall affirm their faith in the possibility of progressively building a lasting peace.
This faith demands that we must build an international order in which the sovereign power to settle international disputes resides in a league or assembly of all peoples.
This faith demands that the physical resources of the earth be so used that all men everywhere shall have the essentials of a good life.
This faith demands that we must build an economic order based on the abundant life for all rather than upon the acquisitive power of the few.
This faith demands that the human resources of society, such as education, culture, the arts, be made progressively available to all.
We here and now call upon all fellow Universalists to unite in a great and consecrated movement to make these things come to pass.
In the field of social welfare:
- We must acquaint ourselves with the faith and practice of other religionists that we may help to overcome the destructive force of religious prejudice.
- We must recognize that today Americans of Negro, Indian and Oriental descent, and many not yet citizens, are suffering from unjust forms of discrimination. We must combat every such form of race prejudice by practical steps which shall achieve a just status for these, our brethren.
- We must work for such forms of social betterment and security as will enable the American family to provide conditions of housing, food, education and recreation consistent with constructive religious living.
- We must work for the strengthening of the spiritual foundations of the American home that all members of the family may be growing Christian persons.
- We must engage in sacrificial and informed community activity which will produce wholesome and progressive results in the areas of planning, relief, reconstruction and recreation.
- We must study the complex problems of labor, management and capital so that we can intelligently bring the insights of Christian ethics to bear on the problems of economic justice for all members of society.
- We must recognize the importance of a strong, independent, land-owning farm folk to the future health and well-being of a growing democracy. To this end we recommend support of such legislation and other organized activities as help to increase the number of family-sized and family-owned farms.
- We must welcome and encourage the growth of the co-operative movement as a check on unwholesome economic practices vice to producers and consumers alike.
- We must work for improved educational opportunities for young and old, and for a freedom in teaching which puts no restriction upon the authority of truth known or to be known.
- We must condemn as destructive to the best interests of society all forms of gambling and small games of chance which are an attempt to get something for nothing, and we must work for more stringent laws governing such practices.
- We must advance the cause of temperance through wise legislation pertaining to the manufacture, distribution, advertising and sale of alcoholic beverages and we must promote a sustained and scientific educational program dealing with the personal and social effects of intemperance.
- We must avoid both sentimentality and vindictiveness in our attitudes toward criminals. To this end we must give enlightened support to penologists, jurists and trained social workers who seek to develop scientific, humane and ethical treatment of actual and potential criminals and so promote the cause of corrective penology.
- We must commit ourselves and encourage others to consistent obedience to law lest we and our society suffer the consequences of disorder and unrestraint.
- We must recognize the fact that there is no common judgment among Christians as to one’s personal duty when called for military service and we call our people to be true in policy and action to a basic law of our church, Article XII of the Laws of Fellowship, which grants full fellowship to conscientious objectors in time of war.
- We must increase our participation in government as individuals and as representatives of groups of citizens, and must as a denomination and as local churches know and speak our mind on significant public questions.
In the field of international relations:
- We must inform ourselves concerning the problems of today’s world.
- We must co-operate in establishing an international organization which shall be truly democratic and all-inclusive. In this world organization there must be some internationally organized power to restrain those who threaten the peace of mankind; there must be provision for peaceful change, for the regulation of currencies, tariffs and other economic concerns by international agreement, and for equal opportunity for all to share the natural resources of the earth.
- We must be prepared to continue in a spirit of self-sacrifice after the fighting ends to provide food, medical care, and the materials and leadership for reconstruction in all devastated lands.
In the field of international church extension:
- We must evaluate the work which we have done in Japan and Korea and decide whether or not to re-establish any or all of it, and we must study opportunities offered in the post-war period for new approaches to the Japanese through educational and social work.
- We must consider new opportunities in world mission, and take our share in the responsibility of Christians for relief, reconstruction and education.
We, therefore consecrate ourselves to the task of building, under God, a universal brotherhood.
What I’m reading
I’m currently reading
Talbott, Thomas. Understanding the Free-Will Controversy: Thinking through a Philosophical Quagmire. Cascade Books, 2022.
Why? Because while the charge that Universalism violates human will has never impressed me much, neither did “classic” Universalists give it the consideration it deserves. Talbott presents a small but dense work, and as a well-known figure among neo-Universalists deserves a careful read. Or two.
Lynskey, Dorian. The Ministry of Truth: The Biography of George Orwell’s 1984. Doubleday, 2019.
I’ve stumbled back on Orwell’s masterwork and I want to appreciate it as an adult. As a reflection on the current infatuation with authoritarianism but also, in light of World War Two anniversaries, of Orwell’s postwar Britain.
Parks, Tim. Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo. W. W. Norton and Company, 2013.
Trains and Italy? What more do you want?
It’s worth noting I got the Talbott work on sale from Wipf and Stock, of which Cascade in an imprint. They are the de-facto Neo-Universalist Publishing House among other niches, so if you’re reading this, you should get on their mailing list now.
Thanks to UUpdater
As I’m getting back on the (writing) horse, I want to thank the UUpdater, who ran UUpdates.net for many years, but who laid down the work late last year.
It’s possible it may come back if someone picks it up — all the tools are there — but it may be better to let it go, even with regrets. It was valuable for lubricating the once vibrant UU blogosphere, but that is only a thin shadow of what was. Even its successor, Facebook groups, seem to have declined without a clear replacement, official, formal or otherwise. Denominational communications were once its lifeblood — to which I add the twice-yearly publication of the UUWorld and a tendency to make General Assembly virtual — and the relative silence should worry anyone concerned about the health of the UUA. I’ll leave that for others to consider.
For now, thanks to the UUpdater for all you accomplished. You deserve thanks and praise.