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VRC
Themes
1.
Involvement by all (or many) is the usual, with positive results
People with gifts are certainly used and appreciated. Because everyone
is needed, those who don't feel gifted are also expected and encouraged
to participate in church life. This can release new gifts in people,
old or young, male or female. Abilities are stretched and growth
in knowledge and confidence happens. Youth esp. are trained in leadership,
public speaking, committee work, etc. However, being begged or pressured
to help doesn't sit well with both parties. Often the "already-willing"
are the ones who volunteer to do more work just so that things will
get done.
Congregations do not expect perfection. They are tolerant, patient
with the efforts being made, and they do not taking such involvement
for granted.
2.
Intergenerational activities mean increased inclusiveness
Youth and adults doing things together is much more common now than
in the past. This makes church people feel like a family, with all
ages talking together and knowing each other, and all ages are blessed.
3.
Importance of Sunday School for all ages.
Much effort is put into keeping S.S. for children as long as possible,
even with fewer kids present. The Christmas program, when children
perform, is a big highlight for the church, and the community if
their kids participate.
Adults also find S.S. to be a meaningful time with honest discussions
of issues, collective discernment and continued study of God's Word
together, which may happen nowhere else.
Difficulty is finding teachers, even hesitant adults take their
turns. Alternatives to adult S.S. class are weekly Bible Studies
in homes, which can enhance fellowship and hospitality.
4. Singing is significant in worship & nurture, and community
service
Communities expect Mennonites to sing, and when this happens in
Nursing Homes, at Carol Festivals, and special services, etc. it
is a much appreciated ministry. Could music be used in outreach
programs?
When a church has a pianist and good congregational singing, or
musicians who have fun while participating in worship, the church
tends to feel good about itself. But, when the numbers are so small
that the singing is a strain or there is no pianist, people don't
like those worship services.
5.
Women are often the ones committed to the work of the church, in
traditional and new ways.
Some women's groups are vigorous, but not all. Quilting as a form
of fun and fellowship for women, of community involvement, and of
raising money was identified.
Women still "feed the multitudes" at church or community
meals. In some cases, women may be weary of this work but the churches
still feel that food is important for hospitality, fund-raising
and outreach.
Women are also taking on new roles, and when they speak they are
listened to by the whole congregation.
Their commitment to teaching S.S. and DVBS, even when they are very
busy with families and jobs and to having children's features on
Sunday mornings, is strong because they believe that family-friendly
services are important.
6.
Flexible programming means changes in the summertime
Watrous closes for the summer and members attend elsewhere. Rabbit
Lake moves its' services to Meeting Lake but this worries those
who think some will use the move as an excuse for nonattendance.
Fiske and Herschel change their format on Sunday mornings into intergenerational
services, led by families. Other churches do not hold Sunday School
classes.
7.
DVBS offered in the summer
Some combine with neighbouring churches to conduct DVBS, others
go alone. Youth can get involved in teaching, singing, child care,
etc. Grandchildren from away and community children attend, so it's
seen as worthwhile even if church children are few. In some cases,
further activities are done as follow-up, such as youth group and
kids' clubs on week evenings.
8.
Hospitality is relaxed and genuine but not pressured
Welcomes are warm and genuine and guests are made to feel comfortable
but there is a concern not to seem insincere, or to fawn over guests,
or to "attack" them because the church wants newcomers
so badly.
The Mennonite label may put off some people from coming and staying.
Other barriers may be perceptions of religious superiority or being
closed to outsiders. There is a recognition that more can be done
to invite the non-churched to come and to witness in the community.
9. Participation in interdenominational events
Where there is a community ministerial, the pastors are involved
and contribute their perspective. Congregations expect their pastors
to be involved in community and inter-church events (and appreciate
that they do so on behalf of the church people). Sometimes, pastors
may take very strong leadership in organizing ecumenical services.
If the Mennonite church is the only Protestant church in an area
with an active Catholic church, cooperation between the two seems
to be very dependent on the local priest.
Traditional inter-church events such as World Day of Prayer, and
community Christmas and Easter services seem strong.
10.
Churches share in hiring a pastor
Two groups have arrangements for sharing a pastor. In the Hoffnungsfelder
churches, this is how they have kept going throughout their history.
For Fiske and Herschel, it is a more recent arrangement. Other groups
feel that this model is what they will need to explore in the future
to keep them open, when they can't afford their own full-time (or
even part time) minister.
11.
The pastor serves as community chaplain
In several locations the Mennonite pastors frequently conduct funerals
and weddings for non-Mennonites, and say prayers at community events.
They may visit the sick and lonely from the community, not just
from the congregation. This is viewed positively by all. As a result,
old stereotypes of Mennonites as a closed ethnic community are breaking
down and opportunities for outreach and spiritual care created.
12.
Combined activities with neighbouring Mennonite churches
Good fellowship happens at combined summer picnics, combined Communion
services, Passion Week services, educational weekends, camp outs,
and at congregational exchanges.
These help alleviate loneliness and a sense of being too small to
do things well. The cooperation that happens is very supportive
to all involved. If these exchanges are with other rural churches,
the common bonds of understanding are strong. If the exchange is
with a larger (or urban) church, the dynamics are a different but
still spiritually enriching as personal relationships are developed
and strengthened
13.
Denominational loyalty is present
The older generation, which is very loyal to Mennonite institutions
and identity, would miss the Mennonite component if their church
closed or changed into a multi-denominational church. For others,
this is less significant because what is important is to be a presence
for Christ in their community, not a name on the church sign.
Questions of how to function ecumenically were raised, e.g. donations
designated to denominations, modes of baptism, liturgy vs. informal
worship, communion.
14.
Churches recognize the needs of their youth
Youth need Christian peers which can be found at camp, retreats,
etc. and youth groups need leaders and resources. Attending RJC
is a way of meeting youth needs and has other benefits but many
youth stay at home throughout high school.
Being valued by their home church helps them feel good about themselves.
For example, when they are involved in the church through choirs,
doing S.S. opening, helping in DVBS, and taking offering and when
adults in church don't look down on their participation, when they
are treated as equals by older people in keeping the church functioning,
and when they are affirmed for their efforts.
Creative options for making church "good" and faith relevant
for our youth while they are at home need to be considered, such
as a supervised internet chat room.
15.
Families with children and youth may go elsewhere
Some families have decided to worship in other churches because
that's where there is something for their children. They don't want
their kids to be lonely and bored in church. This saddens the congregation
even while they recognize the validity of the decision.
16.
Seniors continue to participate in and support the church
Seniors seem to have a realistic recognition of what they can and
can't do, e.g.. teach and learn in adult Sunday School classes or
Bible Studies, relate to elderly in the community, and support the
church in fellowship and prayer. As long as they are around, they
try to attend church, to be helpful, share their wisdom. They have
strong denominational loyalty and are generous givers to MCC, missions
and Mennonite institutions.
Problems
tend to be health related, driving long distances and a lack of
energy and motivation. It's their time to rest and let others to
the work, and so they tend to be very supportive of the efforts
of others to keep church functioning.
17.
Bringing closure to a church - how to do it wisely and well?
Watrous named this specifically, and is dreading it. Other churches
are already thinking about this, that they may need to close perhaps
10 years from now, and are wondering what the indicators will be
that it's time to close. Should they be proactive or let closure
happen through inaction?
Churches are also thinking of alternatives to closure - physically
moving to the nearest town, combining with other Mennonite churches
or becoming a multi-denominational community church.
18. Guardian/preservation mode stifles outreach
When morale is low because of population decline, or having no pastor,
the congregation has almost no energy or motivation to invite people
to church, or to be creative in worship, etc. The focus is just
maintaining what the church is doing now. They try to do be friendly
and helpful neighbours but not much more.
However, even in such situations there are some people who do have
ideas and energy who are to be cherished and supported before they
become lethargic, too.
19.
Church members serve Christ beyond the church
Whether it is participating in Meals on Wheels, refugee support,
owning and operating the Mennonite Clothes Closet (N. Battleford),
conducting DVBS or aiding neighbours in a crisis, these forms of
serve/ministry are a significant witness for Christ. Church people
working together for a common goal is a witness to the community.
Individuals also bring their faith perspective to their workplaces
and other personal involvements.
20.
The family feeling
Numerous people mentioned that church feels like an extended family,
and in some cases, actually is a biological family. Words were used
like: feeling comfortable with each other, knowing strengths and
weaknesses, familiarity, trust, acceptance, informality in worship
and decision making, sense of belonging, children returning home
for holidays are welcomed by everyone, rootedness, being a faith
family.
This quality is a strength as long as it does not mean being exclusive
and unwelcoming.
21.
Challenges
Reaching to the unchurched in their neighbourhood and continuing
to live faithfully as Christ's followers.
Increasing age and smaller size means reduced energy and motivation.
But it pushes churches to be flexible, inclusive, more participatory,
and to enter into new conversations with other churches (getting
together, working together) in order to be a strong faith community.
So, while there is some depression, discouragement, and negativity
("siege mentality") there is also realism, enthusiasm,
creativity and willingness to try.
Naomi
Unger
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"Everyone
gets involved
and out of that comes
incredible energy,
and 'work' becomes 'fun'."
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