Rhetoric Race and Religion
On average, church attendance is dropping in the majority of the congregations in many denominations. Some denominations, such as the Pentecostals are gaining ground, and some congregations are healthier than others within denominations. But the overall trend is that the older members are dying off and they are not systematically being replaced. Millennials, for example, are replacing evangelical churches with other spiritual satisfactions in increasing numbers.
With such glum news about the future of the church, I wish that something could be done to bring the Millennials back to reconsider their church and to make their voice heard regarding what they want and do not want, such as too much politics and antagonism toward all minorities, especially the LGBT community.
The church can be relevant, meaningful and important and we must be able to share this with the world. As I ponder such issues, I realize that I am a product of a “cloud of witnesses” who have gone before me to light the way for me to be in the church and be a leader within the theological academy.
There is the “cloud of witnesses” who have been nurtured by such organizations as the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE). This year, FTE is celebrating 60 years. As a part of celebrating 60 years of faithful service, FTE invited church and academic leaders, young adults and doctoral students to its national Christian Leadership Forum to have the opportunity to cultivate a culture of abundance. Held June 4-7, 2014, in Chicago, this event gathered 200 participants to have a time of sharing, fellowship, discernment and mentoring. It was a time to celebrate the rich legacy of FTE and to explore how the next generation of Christian leaders can make a difference in the world through the church and academy.
Read the rest here
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In