As has become popular among writers of contemporary Christian non-fiction, Pastor Michael W. Foss assumes the rapid degeneration of the American church as a starting point for his latest book, Reviving the Congregation: Pastoral Leadership in a Changing Context. While I have written in the past about why such an assumption often reflects a simplistic analysis of statistical data and is usually indicative of a limited commitment to a single denomination, Foss does make explicit that his interest and experience is primarily found in the Lutheran church and, though Foss himself does not cite the specific numbers, a quick Google search revealed that, in fact, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (Foss’s denomination), has had a steady decline in membership since its foundation in the late 1980s. By contrast, however, Foss’s own church—St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines, Iowa—has seen growth, making him a presumably credible source for advising other pastors on how they might revive their own congregations. Foss writes, for example, that “At St. Mark, our average age is thirty-six and we are growing younger. Our Sunday school has doubled in two years. Our average worship attendance has doubled as well….We have grown, with 60 percent of our new members coming from unchurched or dechurched situations….The number of adult baptisms has been steady and strong, and we have had to move from three new member classes in a year to four.”
Though not a pastor myself, Foss’s advice for leading a church to similar results seems very practical:
- Pastors should not give up their commitment to the local congregation as a source of “acceptance and nurture” for Christians.
- They must maintain their conviction that “the gospel of Jesus Christ is the single most hope-filled, joy-producing, and faith-enriching message in the world.”
- They can no longer take for granted that their authority will be unchallenged or assumed and that, in fact, contemporary Christians might even prefer a pastor who can “stand authentically” and share their personal struggles, rather than presenting themselves as an unshakable expert.
- They should continue to nurture themselves to ensure spiritual and physical health by worshipping weekly, reading the Bible daily, serving within and beyond their congregation, tithing, and forming strong relational networks of family and church members as well as making sure to eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, and appropriately manage their emotions.
- They should develop a clear and specific vision for their church that draws on the particular strengths and needs of their congregation.
- They should ensure that the physical space of their church is welcoming to outsiders.
- They should commit to maintaining Foss’s “three keys” of enthusiasm, focus, and momentum for effective ministry.
I believe Reviving the Congregation might have also benefited from chapters on the how to incorporate technology/social media into ministry and how to address many of the ideological and justice issues that concern young Christians today. However, the information Foss does provide, from the theological to the practical, will undoubtedly prove helpful for pastors who need a reminder of the fundamentals of church growth.
Amber M. Stamper holds a Ph.D. in English (Rhetoric and Composition) and is an Assistant Professor of Language, Literature, and Communication at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. Her research and publications center on religious rhetoric and communication, especially issues of Christian evangelism and the digital church.
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