In recent months, most anything I have read on the Church, or future of the Church, Congregations, etc… speaks of a paradigm shift in congregational life.  We are on the cusp of something different, than we have practiced, in the life of the church as we have known it in the last 50 – 60 years. 

In his book, Bowling Alone—the collapse and revival of community in America, Robert Putnam scientifically points out the decline of community that we are experiencing in our culture.  The church is sitting on the edge of being able to make a significant difference on the sense of community in our culture.  Church has always been about creating and engaging community with others.  Unfortunately, over the years, we have become more focused on programs, budgets, style of worship, and a variety of other things that may not have anything to do with community. 

As I look at “new ideas” of church and the places that church is springing up, I see places where people are gathering—bars, volunteer fire department houses, recreational areas, etc…  It is quite ironic that the natural places for renewal in community could be congregations.  Are we thinking creatively in a way that will help us and allow us to make a difference? 

I have begun to wonder…if we work at creating a sense of community within our churches,

• Will we then find that we are more accepting of reaching out to others? 
• Will we experience a rise in attendance?
• Will we need to change how we do things?
• Will people connect with us because of community or because of our beliefs?

Regardless of what and how we think about church life and a sense of community, it is through a sense of community that congregations grow (Hartford Seminary study).  If we are not working to create a sense of community within and through our congregations, we can expect a continued decline in mainline churches in America. 

Beth Kennett, April 2011