A Great New Front Porch

Not quite a year ago, I wrote a short but sharp piece critiquing the web sites of mainline denominations, including my own (ELCA). It went something like this: 

"Check out the web sites of these mainline denominations and ask yourself, "Which of these faith communities are expecting to EVER be visited by people who aren't members? Which ones are working to communicate with people who don't speak 'our' language? Which ones are really serious about reaching 'new' generations? New cultures? New people of ANY generation or culture?"

Last August, the answer was basically "none of them." In fact, I concluded: 

"...overall this is a dismal exercise. It's no wonder we just keep shrinking. Not even WE expect new people to show up."

Not so today.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has debuted its newly rebuilt website and, well, you just need to check it out yourself. 

It's not just that the site is more dynamic, attractive, and user-friendly. This site expects visitors! And, dare I say it, it's got a missional edge (i.e., God is up to something and invites us to be a part of it) that has the potential of really connecting with and inspiring those people who drop by. 

"Where will God's love take you?" is the first question you get asked. 

Are you kidding me?! Not only does this question reach out and grab you, it's got deep theological integrity: We are set free by God's love to serve our neighbor. Awesome start. 

And, then, this:

"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America welcomes you to engage with us on life’s journey. So go ahead and ask questions. Strengthen your faith. Help your community."

I can't think of a better message to lead with today. For real. People today are spiritually curious but, even more, they want to know their lives matter. They want to make a difference. And they're eager to be a part of something that will help them do that. 

What I'm wondering about, though, is how many of our congregations are prepared to have people showing up at their door, having come through this portal, expecting to find a community that really and truly:

• welcomes me and engages my life's journey (rather than expecting me to "be like them" or at least fake it for the hour or so you see me each week)
• encourages my questions (rather than giving me convoluted answers to questions I'm not asking)
• is serious about strengthening my faith (instead of being mostly interested in getting me to help you pay your bills and serve on your committees)
• even knows my community, much less works to help it in a meaningful way

A+ for whoever is responsible for this new messaging - and for building such an inviting front porch. It's up to the rest of us to get busy making sure the rest of the house is ready for company.

Comments

[PS]

Your bullet point 3 is one I'm particularily sensitive about. We had a man get up at a quarterly meeting when we were between pastors and actually say that when the new pastor arrived, new people would come and then our budget problems would be solved. Fortunately, the council president told him that was too much to expect of a new pastor and now why we wanted people to attend. But it does seem to be a common mindset.

I think we need to welcome those who might hear the word but decide to move on to another congregation which meets that family's needs better. We need to welcome those who challenge us. We need to welcome those who have no intention of dropping more than a penny in the plate. Etc.

[Richo]

For many new people sound great until they come.
Over the last 3 years our small congregation has changed from mainly middle class white anglo saxon congregation to a congregation that is now over 50% people from non English speaking countries.
They have been accepted to a point, that is until the culture clashes.
And then then message is usually our culture is the more correct culture.
However some of the members who have been here for some years are more concerned about starting worship on time and finishing in a prescribed time which is a cultural desire, than welcoming people and relating to others...which is something our new comers are more interested in.
Surely the question is how can we help each other in our journies with God and each other...with Jesus love as foundational

KELLY'S RESPONSE: Thanks for telling this story, smallbizbigman. Unfortunately, it's all too common. Maybe by sharing it, you will help some of us see ourselves more clearly.