Along with the standard business one usually finds at such gatherings, such as electing officers, celebrating ministries, and approving a budget, this year’s Southern District Conference featured a lot of “new” talk revolving around how the newly expanded district can move forward as its churches transition into a post-pandemic world.
And perhaps reach what now can be classified a “post-Christian” populace.
In front of a group of clergy and lay delegates gathered at Beckley Temple on Sunday afternoon, August 28, Conference Superintendent Rev. Chip Bennett set the agenda for a district situated within a conference where for the first time more people are unaffiliated than are affiliated with any faith community.
Stressing that traditional church models – Sunday worship, Bible studies, fellowship dinners, etc. – simply aren’t working in efforts to reach the unaffiliated majority among us, Bennett unveiled an initiative called “New Places for New People”; one which he hopes the churches under his jurisdiction will see it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
“I’m reminded of the parable of the shepherd who when counting his 100 sheep realizes one is missing,” said Bennett. “He leaves the 99 in search of the 1, and when he finds the one brings that one back into the fold. I’m not suggesting we leave or abandon the 49 to go after the 51, nothing could be further from the truth. I am suggesting perhaps we can begin to dream about ways we might follow the leading of Jesus and ask what can we do to share the love of Christ with our neighbors?”
Bennett was quick to point out that New Places for New People doesn’t entail abandoning the “old,” but rather builds on already established, traditional faith communities and ministries to begin reshaping and reimagining how we “do” church – a fresh expression of what it means to be the church for folks who may not be reached by traditional church models.
“I don’t mean new brick and mortar places, we have plenty of those already,” Bennett said when explaining what is meant by New Places for New People. “I don’t mean we should in any way stop any of the good ministries happening in our churches. I do mean creating Christian community amongst those people who are far from Christ who will never walk thru the doors of our church. Creating a space where people worship, grow in Christ, serve, and are connected to the greater body of Christ.”
Bennett pointed to several examples of what such an “unorthodox” Christian community may look like – all of them emphasizing an outward focus toward the community at large rather than an inward, “church as usual” approach.
He also stressed that these new places can indeed be found in any place in any community around the district and conference.
“This can happen anywhere!” he said. “Many of us know grandparents raising grandchildren, what would it look like for a Christian community to form around grandparents raising their grandchildren? What about folks in recovery? Could a Celebrate Recovery gathering become church for someone who is working everyday for sobriety? What about those who work shift work? Do our churches simply say, ‘we meet at 11am on Sunday, if that doesn’t work for you sorry!’ Or perhaps we could begin to dream about creating a New Place for New People in a place other than our church and a time other than Sunday morning.”
While Bennett said every church isn’t called to such a new expression of faith, every church can support the effort through prayer and encouragement. He also is aware that New Places for New People isn’t a magic bullet that will fix all the connection’s problems, but that doesn’t diminish his belief that the Holy Spirit is up to something new in the Southern District and the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
“Good things are on the horizon for us,” he said. “And I can’t wait to see what God has in store!”