STUFF ABOUT GOD AND CHRISTIANITY | Dr. Ron Braley
Editor’s note: Due to a scheduling issue, this column inadvertently was left off the print run. It is being presented again after first appearing in the Dec. 18, 2024, e-edition of the Press.
“I’ve seen your future!” I thought as I looked across a congregation and its “sea of gray” I taught about a year ago.
Without revitalization, it would rapidly diminish to a point of no return, and the doors would close for good.
This was my experience at Northview Christian Church, once a thriving Christian community. It’s also the path of most Western mainline denominational churches. If you’re not Roman Catholic or focused on attraction, you’re probably on your way out.
What gives? A diminishing sea of gray.
Western Christianity declines at about 20% per year. Yet, most mainline denominational churches are full of the elderly, who are the backbone. They’re likely faithful and hardworking. But they’re dying. Although Western Christianity declines at about 20% a year now, the rate likely will keep dropping sharply over the next decade as the population of the wise and faithful rapidly shrinks. Even if butts remain in the pews, the effect on Christendom will be crippling without these vital gray-headed souls.
Consequences: Our wise theological models and teachers are evaporating. Opportunities for church discipline for growth and correction (not punishment) are disappearing. Who will lead the spiritually immature when they’re gone? Who will demonstrate how to effectively apply God’s words and ways?
Here are several scriptures that soberly remind us of their importance (New American Standard Bible):
• Leviticus 19:32: “You shall rise up before the gray-headed and honor the aged …”
• Job 12:12-13: “Wisdom is with aged men … To Him belong counsel and understanding.”
• 1 Peter 5:5: “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders …” The cure: Listen to mature followers and put them to work as the Holy Spirit has enabled. Learn from and imitate them (at least the godly stuff).
That will create spiritually mature followers who can replenish the sea of gray and keep the churches healthy.
But there’s more.
Understand that while the good news of God’s Kingdom brought near to humans doesn’t change, contexts do. Be incarnational and contextual, meeting communities and cultures where they are without comprising the message. Remember the “little-t” stuff like how we perform music, baptism or Communion methods aren’t worth falling on a theological sword over. Remove religious barriers to reduce clergy-laity separation. Become relevant to today’s folks who can become tomorrow’s sea of gray even if dress or music need to evolve.
And remember to give your young and old alike opportunities to serve according to spiritual giftings.
Summary: Our fruitful and wise congregants are dying. So are our churches. Don’t let their legacy disappear and Western Christianity along with it. Replenish the sea of gray by once again becoming relevant to local communities and training replacements. Soon, let’s explore something weird, useful and last-days-ish: apocalyptic poster children.
Meanwhile, leave your bubble and step into someone else’s (with permission) to make the church more relevant and replenish a receding sea of godly gray.
Braley, a Taylor minister, Air Force veteran, husband and father, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University in 2018 and a Doctor of Ministry from the same school in 2021.
