Beyond the Ordinary

The ammo on guns

 By Ida Smith-Williams

A recent CBS poll shows that the number of Americans who favor stricter gun laws spiked significantly after the January shooting in Tucson that killed six people and critically injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford. Previous polls have shown declining support for more stringent gun control. However, in this latest poll, nearly half of respondents (47%) said guns laws should be made tougher; 36% said they should remain unchanged; and 12% said they should be relaxed.

Gallup has asked about this topic frequently. In 1990, more than three-quarters (78%) wanted stricter gun laws, but by 2010 this percent had dropped to 44%. This downward trend in support for stricter gun laws continued despite some highly publicized shootings that occurred over the past decade.

Jumping the Gun.  In recent years, gun sales have been increasing, membership in the National Rifle Association has grown, and there are now right-to-carry laws in over 40 states, with 20 states allowing guns in churches.

What do worshipers think about gun laws?  In 2001 and in 2008, the U.S. Congregational Life Survey asked this question:  "Do you think the laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, less strict, or kept as they are?"  The percentage of worshipers who favor more strict gun laws declined slightly in 2008. Nonetheless compared to national polling results, more worshipers support stricter gun laws.

Do you think the laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, less strict, or kept as they are?

 
Aiming for Peace (not aiming a piece!).  I am not surprised that many worshipers favor stricter gun control. But I am surprised that the percent favoring stricter gun control has decreased since 2001. There is something about the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" that seems to be contradictory to being okay with lots of people having access to guns. One pastor from Louisville, however, doesn't see being a Christian and having firearms as a contradiction. This pastor supports gun rights and encouraged his members to bring guns to church one Sunday. This is yet another sign that the gun culture is thriving.

How have congregations and worshipers changed?

An updated and expanded version of  A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations:  Who's Going Where and Why (first published in 2002) is now available.

New Content.  The second edition features two new chapters:

• One new chapter focuses on pastoral leadership—those dedicated, hard-working souls who shepherd our congregations. Learn more about pastors and their leadership styles.
• Another new chapter describes the significant changes in congregational life between Wave 1 in 2001 and Wave 2 in 2008 and 2009. Discover how congregational life has changed.
• And—maybe more exciting—all of the cartoons are new!! You'll laugh at these insightful and quirky looks on contemporary religion.

An Updated Profile.  All chapters have been updated to reflect the results of Wave 2 of the U.S. Congregational Life Survey when almost 1,600 congregations and 163,000 worshipers took part. You'll learn what congregations and worshipers look like today. Find out what a typical worship service includes, how worshipers are involved in congregational life, and how younger worshipers differ from others.

What Readers Are Saying. One reader commented:  "This is as good as it gets—solid trend research on thousands of church attendees coupled with sensitive, practical interpretation. A must-read for anyone wanting to understand and adapt to today's changing religious context."

Order Now.  The new edition can be ordered from Amazon, from The Thoughtful Christian, or from Cokesbury.

Happy Reading!

 

Learning and networking opportunities

By Deborah Bruce

Two new learning opportunities for you and your congregation:

For Christian Educators: The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE), which serves educators in the Reformed family of churches, will hold their annual event February 2-5, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This excellent event offers worship, plenary sessions, over 120 workshops and tours, fellowship, networking, and a Marketplace that will showcase a wide variety of educational resources. The U.S. Congregational Life Survey will be there! Sign-up for the workshop "Myths and Facts About Evangelism and Church Growth" or visit our booth in the Marketplace (706). Learn more.

For Congregational Leaders:  The Church of the Nazarene M11 event will take place February 21-25, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. Focusing on evangelism and mission, you'll find worship and workshop opportunities on the theme "Igniting Our Passion for Making Christ-like Disciples." The U.S. Congregational Life Survey will be there! Sign up for one of the five workshops we'll be offering:

• Places of Promise:  Finding Strength in Your Congregation's Location
• Looking Backward, Looking Forward:  How Have Congregations Changed and What Does This Mean for Your Ministry
• Churches in the Internet Age:  Who's Connected and How
• Myths and Facts About Evangelism and Church Growth
• Tools for Congregations:  Learning More about Your Congregation and Community
• New Answers for Old Questions:  What Empowering Leaders Should Know

Or visit us in the exhibit hall. Learn more about M11.

Is your congregation a "calling congregation"?

By Deborah Bruce

What are "calling congregations"?  Calling congregations "actively nurture young men and women with the potential to become excellent pastoral leaders" according to The Fund for Theological Education (FTE). Calling congregations identify and support tomorrow's church leaders.

How common are calling congregations?  The U.S. Congregational Life Survey revealed that in 17% of congregations someone age 30 or younger began preparing for ministry in the past five years, and in 16% someone over the age of 30 did so. The survey identifies calling congregations as churches where someone "entered seminary or formal theological education in preparation for professional ministry" in the past five years.

More Catholic and mainline Protestant churches are calling congregations.  Compared to conservative Protestant churches, more Catholic parishes and mainline Protestant churches are calling congregations. The high percentage of persons entering ministry from Catholic parishes is partially a result of their larger membership compared to the average Protestant church. More people represent more potential future leaders.

 
More larger churches are calling congregations.  Only two in ten small congregations (average worship attendance of fewer than 100) report that someone began preparing for ministry in the past five years. Not surprisingly, more large congregations—which have more worshipers who might consider ministry—had someone begin pursuing ministry. One-third of mid-size congregations and four in ten large congregations are calling congregations.

 
What sets calling congregations apart?  Congregations that are more innovative and in tune with the culture of a younger generation provide better places to nurture the call to ministry of young adults. The survey revealed six factors that are important in identifying congregations that send young people under the age of 30 on the path toward ministry. These churches:

• Started a new worship service in the past five years.
• Use email to communicate with worshipers.
• Use a website to stay in touch with worshipers.
• Use electric guitar in worship
• Report little conflict in the past five years that lead people or a pastor to leave the church.

In contrast, three factors distinguish churches that are likely to send people who are 30 or older on the path to ministry. These churches:

• Use email to communicate with worshipers.
• Report more conflict in the past five years that led people to leave the church.
• Sponsor a wide variety of community service activities.

Is your congregation a calling congregation? Are there people in your pews who might be sensing a call to ministry? What can you do to nurture that call?

Learn how your congregation can revive the language of vocation and revitalize the entire community using VocationCARE practices  available through FTE resources and events.

Visit the FTE website and join a growing movement to be "cultures of call."