The Small Majority

I am currently on sabbatical, and focusing some research and reflection toward the small church and its unique leadership needs. I did some number crunching from the RCA statistical tables. In 2007 (the most current data available), there were 931 churches in the RCA. Of those 931 churches, 640 (69%) have an average worship attendance of 150 or less; 512 (55%) have an average worship attendance of 100 or less; and 243 (26%) have an average worship attendance of 50 or less.

There you have it--7 of 10 churches in the RCA is small. Of course there are nuances to statistics and limits to them, but setting those aside, its hard to argue with the reality that the RCA is filled with small churches. As a pastor of one of those small churches, I often find the resources available are geared toward larger churches with either a larger budget or opportunities unique to the larger church. I often find this in the RCA as well (perhaps its just my perception). The question on my mind is about our support for the small church. How well do we support the unique challenges and opportunities of the small church? How well do we support this small majority in the RCA?

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

A shameless plug

I have been granted a three month sabbatical from my normal duties as pastor of Bethel Reformed Church. It will (DV) begin in just over a week. If anyone is interested, I have started a Sabbatical Blog. There is a bunch of information there, and I will be updating the blog regularly with my thoughts and expereinces over the next few months. Feel free to take a look and follow along!

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

The Short Pastorate

I appreciate Daniel Fiske's March letter to the editor. I affirm his sincere emotion. In case you haven't read it, Daniel is asking an honest question about the tendency he sees toward a short pastorate. His first sentence is telling: "As a member of an RCA congregation for just over fifteen years, I have been taught by four pastors, two interims, and more pulpit supply pastors and lay speakers than I can remember." Wow. That's a whirlwind. But Daniel is not bitter, his heart is in the right place: "I understand there are times when ministers need to move on and it can be a healthy change. I just don't see how this rapid turnover can be healthy for us in the church, how it helps new members, or how it reaches out to the unchurched." I don't know Daniel's church or any systemic needs it may have or the unique circumstances of those four pastors and those two interims, but I do see the trend that Daniel sees. He phrases it so well: "We've had ministers leave for bigger churches, to go back to school, and to move closer to family--reasons often seeming more personal than biblical. We haven't ever had a candidate that felt God called them from a larger church to our smaller church. None has said that like Jesus disciples they were called to be away from family for a time to serve the church. Can such short-term pastorates effectively build up the body of Christ?" I don't know if they can, Daniel, I don't know. Certainly through God's grace and providence the church is built up, and through the faithful service of people like you, but I think you are right. Short-term pastorates don't help the cause. Daniel ends his letter with the plea: "I'm struggling to see God's will in this. Can somebody please help me?" Perhaps somebody has some thoughts.

Boogity, boogity, boogity!

Boogity, boogity, boogity! I am excited! If you don't understand, google it - Boogity, boogity, boogity!

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

What time is your service?

I'm in the midst of planning a short get-away with the family. One of the things I've been doing is looking for a place to worship on the Sunday. This is where I found a disturbing trend. Lots of churches have websites, but its next to impossible to find the service times. Seriously. I looked at two RCA church websites, and could not locate their service times. They had a nice welcome message, inviting visitors to join them. They even had a hand map. But no service times. If your church has a website, please, make sure the service times are listed on your front page. Make it easier for visitors to get at that basic piece of information.

Blessings, David