Good morning, exceptional people. You are exceptional for many reasons, but today you are exceptional because you are attending a church service. Debbie March forwarded me an article to read a couple of weeks ago, and boy, was it an important article to read. The headline of the article was: As millions leave organized religion, spiritual and secular communities offer refuge.
Millions have left organized religion? That is amazing. That’s why you are exceptional. You are here today. People attend a church or a faith community for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s because of their family tradition. Sometimes it’s because of an emergency in their life for which they need spiritual help. Sometimes, it’s because of loneliness or an unexplainable desire to belong to a group of people who are like-minded and supportive. But in recent history, apparently millions no longer feel that need.
The article tells us that the exodus from mainstream religious paths has taken place over the past several decade: In the early 1990’s, 9 in 10 Americans identified as Christian; by last year, that figure had dropped to 63%.
The decline has occurred largely among Protestants, 60% of whom are evangelicals. Meanwhile, the portion of Americans describing themselves as agnostic, atheist or “nothing in particular” — has risen to nearly 3 in 10 people. Here’s the shocking statistic from recent research: 8 out of 10 adults say religion’s role in American life is diminishing.
The bottom line is that based on recent research, about 40 million American adults have stopped attending church in the past 25 years. The reasons people leave the church vary. Some were never close to their faith and they find other priorities when they move away from home. Others find fault with the services that they see as artificial or insincere. Others struggle to reconcile church teachings with personal beliefs about social issues and inclusion. Some can’t imagine ever walking into a church again.
The interesting thing that is happening, is that people still search for a community. We are hard-wired for connection, for gathering, for friendship, for a pod of people who will be nice to us, find us worthy to speak to, and sometimes they might even need us. We all know deep in our soul that we are better together, we need other similar people to hang out with from time to time.
So that is what’s happening now. People are leaving organized religion, but they are seeking a spiritual connection, as well as a connection to other people. They are seeking encouragement. They are seeking inspiration and hope to get through this journey called life.
The author of this article I am referencing, Marc Ramirez writes: “While some might find refuge in other Christian denominations or more progressive forms of their own faith, others seek to redefine their Christianity in places where they can voice doubts without judgment.”
So many churches have closed their doors in recent years. In some cases new groups buy the building and offer a less-traditional gathering. People are finding ways to create spiritual communities. The key phrases that resonate with new groups are “the disillusioned are welcome,” “we are nonpartisan”, “figure out what you believe,” “inclusivity and tolerance”.
Jake Haber, pastor of Aldea Spiritual Community in Tucson, states this about his community:
“Desire for community is a human one that transcends culture and religion, and we’re trying to get back to the simplicity of that. We all want to have people to walk alongside when we’re celebrating or when we’re grieving. Until recently it seemed to most that if they wanted to be part of a spiritual community their only option was to be part of a religious, dogmatic environment. Now people are seeing there’s alternatives.”
In other words, my friends. People are looking for a place like Entry Point. A place of refuge, safety and acceptance that is judgment-free. Our community is warm and accepting, non-partisan, and inclusive, just like what those millions are seeking.
Who knew that our way to do church would be trending over 25 years after it was founded? In case you aren’t familiar with our history, this faith community had its origin in 2003 as the Garden at Oak Hill — an offshoot of the Garden at Beef and Boards, which was founded by Rev. Dr. Linda McCoy.
And let’s take a moment and talk about why Linda created a new church. Back in 1997, Linda was on staff at St. Luke’s, but she wanted to provide a safe gathering space for people who might feel uncomfortable in traditional church settings. People who might not like formal church language. People who had trouble finding God in the large pipe organ and the choir, in the liturgy and the recitations.
So she built a church without those traditions. Instead of hymns and praise songs, we offered popular songs. No pipe organ, just a rocking band. In place of recitations, popular video clips were used. No liturgy, just relevant messages. A different, more relevant way to do church. What a brilliant visionary Linda McCoy was.
But here’s the thing that stumps the leadership of this church today: Why aren’t there more people here? Why are there any seats available? This place should be standing room only. People should be lined up to get in the door.
We have talked for years about how we should inform people that this place exists. I mean, you all found it. How? I suspect someone told you about it and you gave it a shot. And for some reason, you came back. Perhaps we should take a lesson from this video, which is a rather unusual church invitation. Let’s watch.
In many ways, the Bible is a series of stories about why we should gather together and how we should treat each other. Consider this simplistic, direct explanation of why we should attend a spiritual community:
“Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing. But you should meet together and encourage each other. “ — Hebrews 10:24-25
Here’s what I hope is going on in your head today: I hope you are thinking about why you are here. I hope you are thinking about why you come to Entry Point. I hope you are thinking about ways that you have helped others, times that you have shown love, moments that you have encouraged others. I hope that you love this community as much as I do.
Also, if there is anyone that suddenly comes to mind as someone who might enjoy our community, I hope you will invite them to join us some Sunday.
And if people who used to attend Entry Point but don’t any longer, come to your mind, I encourage you to reach out to them, and re-invite them to join us.
Many years ago, a pastor visited a member of the church who had been attending services regularly, but stopped going. It was a chilly evening, and when the Pastor arrived, the man was home alone sitting in front of a blazing fire in his fireplace.
Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a chair near the fireplace and waited. The Pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. The men sat and watched the fire silently. After a few minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire went out. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the Pastor reached the door to leave, the man said, “Thank you so much for your visit. I will be back in church on Sunday.”
My friends we all need community. We all need connection. I pray that this community gives you a spiritual as well as a social connection. A place where we can imagine a world of peace and unity. Amen.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote: “We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools.”
Brilliant, applicable words for our modern culture, Dr. King. Powerful advice to all of us.
Here’s what I think. I think the Entry Point Faith Community is an example this quotation. Despite our differences, our diversity, we welcome and accept all people. We think about, show love, and we do good deeds. Let’s spread the news!
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