Easter is celebrated not only by Christians but almost the entire population of many countries. Now, this celebration might mean a bunny bringing a basket full of candy or a children’s hunt for colored hard boiled eggs.  But it is still a celebration on the day that is the most meaningful in the Christian Church. It is a joyful day!  A day of hope!  The long gloomy winter days with barren trees are being replaced by the sun shining down on the greening branch buds. 

I love the following story. It was sent by one of our subscribers:

• It was June 18, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo. The French under the command of Napoleon were fighting the allied forces of the British, Dutch, and Germans under the command of Wellington. The people of England depended on a system of signals to find out how the battle was going. One of these signals was on the tower of Winchester Cathedral.

• Late in the day it flashed the signal: “W - E - L - L - I - N - G - T - O - N - - - D - E - F - E - A - T - E - D - - -.” Just at that moment a fog cloud made it impossible to read the message. The news of defeat quickly spread throughout the city. The whole countryside was sad and gloomy when they heard the news that their country had lost the war. Suddenly, the fog lifted, and the remainder of the message could be read. The message had four words, not two. The complete message was: “W - E - L - L - I - N - G - T - O - N - - - D - E - F - E - A - T - E - D - - - T - H - E - - - E - N - E - M - Y!” It took only a few minutes for the good news to spread. Sorrow was turned into joy, defeat was turned into victory!

• So it was when Jesus was laid in the tomb. Hope had died in the hearts of Jesus’ most loyal friends. After the frightful crucifixion, the fog of disappointment and misunderstanding had crept in on the friends of Jesus. They had read only part of the message. “Christ defeated” was all they knew. But then on the third day the fog of disappointment and misunderstanding lifted, and the world received the complete message: “Christ defeated death!” Defeat was turned into victory; death was turned into life!

Now, the following isn’t sermon material as such.  But it is a very important topic and I think Easter is an appropriate time to discuss it.  I want to address all those pastors of small churches who are seeing their numbers disastrously dwindling.  Let's face it.  Death to your church lies ahead unless something happens. Yet, maybe death to the “we always do it this way” kind of church would be a good thing, if it is resurrected into a new vital, passionate church.  I believe there is a new life in your future if you only believe and take action.  

There are new paths to take: I believe it must be one that addresses both the spiritual and the societal issues that affect each member in your church and beyond into the world.  One that takes the biblical text and applies it to the current critical desires of the emerging population of younger people. One that respects the spiritual needs of the congregants.

• How often have you preached about the mystical experience?  One Sunday, I shared my encounter with God and the people were astonished that I would reveal such a story.  I learned that many were afraid to talk about these type of supernatural occurrences.  But there must be a hunger for more information. Books based on spirituality are best seller fodder even though the church is the logical place to seek answers and methods for growth.
  

• Were you aware that almost half of all religious people claim they have had a supernatural experience in their lives?  That number has more than doubled since 1962. 

• According to Pew Research, these kinds of experiences are particularly common among the "religious unaffiliated" (i.e., those who describe their religion as "nothing in particular" and say that religion is at least somewhat important in their lives), among whom 51% have had a religious or mystical experience.  What if you brought in a speaker?  Advertised on the entertainment page?  Or better yet, have someone write up a press release for free publicity?

Wouldn’t that huge percentage of unchurched people come if they knew they would find a spiritual home?  Instead of books, what if your church became a source for them?

Most Americans are non dogmatic in their approach to religion.  I doubt they are alone in their liberal approach.  There is an openness to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. Correspondingly, “doing church” in a new way would not be seen as heretical by most. 

Please see the interesting surveys: http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report2religious-landscape-study-key-findings.pdf

And the other necessary ingredient on that new path is producing a liturgy that is a compelling collaboration of integrating the text and current critical social issues …..with programs that implement action, bringing the passionate words of Jesus to life.

Please, don’t just stand in back of your lectern and read off a script.  Bring life to your service with images and music and outside speakers on significant topics.  Just don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. 

We are in the POST-CHRISTIAN era.  The following videos are some ideas on the churches of the future:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRtQM5lO0aw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lspey8iGoWk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxy9sF0OQfQ

It is really up to you if your church will survive.  Think About It! 

Is there life after death for the Christian Church?