St Paul's Lutheran Church
Ashland, Kentucky
The Sky is Falling
by Rev. Terry Cripe,
Ohio District President
Once more, it appears that the sky is falling. I've finished reading three articles that have predicted 1) the end of denominations in America, 2) a continued eroding of Christian influence in our country, and 3) the collapse of both American Evangelicalism and liberal Protestantism.
Are these writers on to something or are their predictions just an ecclesiastical version of global warming – oops – global climate change? Several years ago one weekly news magazine reported that scientists believed an Ice Age was coming. Allegedly, one weekly news magazine also predicted years ago that based on its rate of growth in the fifties, Lutheranism would become the dominant faith in America.
It doesn't take a special anointing from the Holy Spirit to see that the religious landscape of the United States is changing. Denominational loyalty has gone the way of every other type of “brand” loyalty. 27% of Ohioans say they never or seldom participate in worship services. Only 33% of Ohioans are at worship on any given Sunday. 13% of West Virginians say they aren't religious. 46% of Kentuckians are unaffiliated with any church.
In the face of such sobering statistics and projections stands the Word of God. During such times it is important to remember the good news that the Feast of the Ascension proclaims: Jesus now rules over all things for the sake of the Church. “When He ascended, He gave gifts to men.” Maybe it's time to refocus on the gifts that He gave us instead of fretting over falling sky and our shortcomings. What are these gifts? We have gifted church workers who have been used by God in numerous contexts. We have succeeded in planting the Word in Muslim areas. We have urban bright spots of ministry. A number of new graduates have asked for placement in inner city environs to work bi-vocationally. The pattern we followed in the 1800s - “rounding up” the Germans - is exactly the pattern followed today among immigrant populations who are being reached by immigrant Lutheran pastors. An increasing number of our congregations understand our calling to spread the Gospel rather than just try to keep the doors open and hope people will wander in. We have the gift of a robust theology that is being sought out by others. We have gifted musicians and lyricists who are composing and writing for a new generation. The ascended Lord is ruling over all things for the sake of the Church. We honor that rule as we accept His gifts with thanksgiving and use them to His glory and for the welfare of our neighbors.