I Wonder
Rev. Renita Green, Columnist April 2024
As I approach the one-year anniversary of being conferred a Doctor of the Church, there are a lot of wonderings in my spirit and mind. Like, what does it mean to be a “Doctor of the Church” in this era of Christendom? We are experiencing what some have called a “historic decline of the Church.” This has me wondering what we are really doing and why.
While there is much conversation about reviving, renewing, and restoring the Church, few congregations seem prepared, equipped, or willing to make the changes necessary to be revived, renewed, or restored. The “growing” congregations are not necessarily increasing the Kingdom—members often come from other denominations or congregations or return after a prolonged absence—but few are coming in as first-timers to the body of Christ.
Considering all of this, I’ve been wondering:
- Have we become more enamored with “growing the church” than we are with healing the church? If my heart were weak, I would not be healed by adding more strain before I had the damage repaired.
- Are the Church Doctors trying to do “physical therapy” with a church that needs mental health care, or amputation, or heart care, or vision correction, or… (you get it)?
- Are Doctors with specialties in (i.e.) “vision” forced to work in/serve congregations that need (i.e.) “grief therapy?”
- Are we willing to amputate a leg to save the body?
- Have we traded the soothing of Gilead’s Balm for snake oil that promises to restore what God is removing?
- Is the cost of keeping the Church alive just too high? Has the family decided that the means no longer justify the end? Is this why some have divested?
- Are the buildings that once contained our life becoming the coffins in which we will be buried?
- Could it be that the Church (as an institution) has just reached the end of her intended lifespan?
- Is the Church in need of hospice, and are we in denial because of our love for her? Are our memories too strong to admit we have to say goodbye?
- Could it be that we who celebrate the resurrection & life are afraid of—ashamed of—death?
And I wonder if we—the Doctors of the Church—are keeping the Church (or a church) on life support:
- because we do not believe there is faithfulness in death?
- because we are not sure that there really is life after death?
Are we trying to keep a body alive that shows no signs that it wants to live?
Are we guilty of malpractice? Have we falsely declared hope:
- so that we keep our prestige, positions, and profits?
- to appease the institution?
- to assuage our guilt of complicity in the condition?
Are we akin to the prophets who told Israel, “Everything is going to be alright,” while Jeremiah cried, “Get ready for what’s about to come next”? (Jeremiah 6)
I wonder if no one is to blame for the “historic decline of the church” or everyone?
And as I wonder about all that, what I am really wondering,
- Can this “historic decline” be turned around?
- If it can be, should it be?
- Or should something new be imagined?
And I search my own heart:
- What kind of doctor am I?
- Am I serving faithfully?
- How have I been complicit in the decline?
- What is God’s will concerning our future?
I wonder.
“Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NRSV).
