| GLC Reality Check - article by Joel Hempel We are an aging congregation, facing the painful reality that if we stay on our current course, in 10-15 years, we will be a much smaller, dying church. We have a half dozen + or - active young families and adults. Needs of individual members surface from time to time, and some among us offer support for a while. Individuals have stepped up to open-handedly give of their skills and services. We are financially unburdened and are blessed to have generous contributors among us. Some say we are a family, but like me, I bet there are siblings in our church family who you hardly know and seldom talk to. There are small sub-groups of caring friends within the congregation. Others find it hard to connect. Seventy-five of us in-person worshippers gather each Sunday to praise God and fellowship with one another. There’s lots of laughter, the blessing of little voices who often serve as inspiring examples of Christian discipleship, a biblically strong sermon, and music that strengthens the soul. We have been blessed with a rich pastoral history and a number of challenges. Three Bible study groups provide Christian teaching and group-to-one prayer support when needed. Our office staff and building support personnel bless us with capable, highly valued work. The pastor, deacons, and others provide spiritual care as needed and when it is brought to their attention. When periodic, beyond-our-walls crises are brought to the congregation’s attention, we respond with a financial gift from our benevolent fund. We are out of touch with what our community and neighbors need. We have a highly respected Early Learning Center serving 76 children representing 47 families, with a competent staff of 27 providing the learning and love of Christ to the children. However, their needs are unknown to us —the hosting church. In addition, the parents likely have a wealth of knowledge and insight into the neighborhood surrounding us that has yet to be tapped. Our mission statement declares that we are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and demonstrate God’s love to one another, the community, and the world. Or another way of putting it: You are . . . a royal priesthood . . . a people for his own possession, that you [not just the pastor] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.1 What grade would you give us? The agape love to which all of us have been called is radical and sacrificial. How would you describe our love as a people of God? We have a beautiful church building and provide meeting space to various AA and member groups. Bottom line, we are a small but vibrant congregation who have a great deal for which we can be proud and thankful. We also have limitations and gaps in our ministry that we have not addressed. 1. 1 Peter 2:9 | 
