By: Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon
Recently I have been reflecting on folks who were once at the very center of life at church. Many have gone on to their eternal home, where they wait for us to arrive one day. Others have moved away and created stories of love and ministry in new church homes. Some have found themselves at a different stage in life where that level of church involvement is simply a thing of the past. But not too long ago these were the people who made church happen, sometimes for generations. Pictured above is Floyd Miller, who cared for the facilities at Hominy Baptist Church for many decades, touring the new gym in 2014.
All of these congregational heroes leave behind stories. Funny stories about conversations, witticisms and quirky habits. Inspiring stories about tragedies and obstacles overcome, problems solved and new paths carved. Sobering stories about times of conflict, resolve and saying goodbye. As long-term members (not necessarily the oldest) withdraw from active membership or active life, we risk losing some of those stories that provided much of the social glue that held congregations together.
We also face losing meaningful and lasting connections with individuals who have a family history with our churches. The children and grandchildren of members who have fond memories of growing up in church or attending VBS and worship when they visited grandparents. Whether or not they are in a congregation now, they still think of a particular church as “home”. Is there a strong enough connection that they would feel welcome if they returned?
I began these reflections as I considered ways to connect folks from our church past to the financial future of our congregation. People give to what they value, and we know that most people value what makes a difference in their lives and in the lives of their families and communities. We can’t expect people with a historic connection to our congregation to contribute to the weekly offering, but they might want an opportunity to honor that connection with a gift.
So how can we build these legacy connections? This may look like a plan, but think of it more as a menu, from which you can select the best course to start.
- Make Lists. Churches love to keep records. I know we have weekly Sunday School attendance books that go back to the mid-20th century, pictorial directories that are older than bell bottom jeans and church conference minutes from before the Civil War! Who are the people who cast a long shadow in the life of your church? Where are they now? Where are their children and grandchildren now? Who knows? Who will have the responsibility of collecting and maintaining this data?
- Reestablish Communication. Use mail, email, texts, social media, whatever works, to send occasional news from your church. Occasional in the sense of “not every week” but also tied to specific occasions that might be of interest. Share news of what the church is doing to make a difference today. Invite them to share news of their families with the church family. Let them know that they will always have a “home” with your congregation.
- Create Gatherings. Many churches used to have an annual “Homecoming Sunday.” For many it became an undertaking of diminishing returns as fewer people were interested in rearranging their current life, including church, to worship and eat with people they barely knew. When grandmother died, there was no one to remind everyone to be there! So hold gatherings every few years or on a specific anniversary or offer “reunions” for specified ministries and organizations. Don’t limit gatherings to “dinner on the grounds,” offer ministry projects, hikes, game nights, anything as long as people get to speak with each other face to face. Find ways to help returnees connect with the past and the present.
- Collect Stories. Invite your church “kin” to submit pictures and written or audio stories about those who made a difference in their life and the life of the church. These can be preserved in digital form for generations to come. Host a “Story Booth” at gatherings and create a submission page on your website to encourage participation.
- Invite Gifts that Last. If you don’t already have an endowment or ways to receive legacy gifts, then make that happen now! What better way to honor those who have gone before us, or continue ministry that was once at the center of our lives, than to ensure the future of the church that is the source and focus of so much love?
Although that was my starting point, this is not about generating income but connecting generations. We live in a time of growing isolation and disconnection. Many of those who have no church home once called our churches home. Many who see no place for themselves within any church might follow a family connection to find themselves seated at the table with church family they never knew they had. But if we don’t take the first steps to connect, then we will all be spiritually poorer for having lost our common legacy.
These thoughts are from Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon, our partner in ministry in the Western Carolinas, who can help you and your ministry navigate congregational identity, mission, and effectiveness. He is Co-Pastor at Hominy Baptist Church near Asheville, NC and works with churches and leaders as a coach and consultant in communication, visioning, administration, and spiritual formation. Contact him for more information about how he can help you.