Dear Target Audience:

You may notice that occasionally there is no Monday Musing posted with our weekly email newsletter. (At least I hope you notice.) These omissions are seldom because something more important has arisen, leaving me no time to write; it’s just that on some Mondays, my musings are so scrambled I cannot organize my thoughts into a coherent essay. (Some may also observe that disorganized thoughts haven’t stopped my writing in the past, but fortunately you’re very polite and move on.)

So today, in absence of any useful thoughts or observations, I want to share with you my musing regarding several notices dumped into this pastor’s inbox telling me why, since the pandemic, fewer people are showing up in church. These emails usually contain links hawking consultants, helpful books, professional webinars or conferences, each promising to transform our church into the next hot place to be. Each promises customized solutions tailored to our specific community’s needs, including consultants that will help churches find the best consultants.

Some advertisements promise technical solutions, commending livestream contractors ready to take our worship service to the next level for thousands of screens near and far. Others commend transformational sermon outlines that make the Gospel relevant to the next generation of doubters. There’s even a secret worshiper program, where hidden cameras record the interaction between our church’s greeters and planted visitors—I cannot for the life of me understand how these consultations end well.

I realize my personal observations aren’t vetted by a consortium of professionals, and I am willing to experiment and consider revamping the Sunday ‘product’ to expand our appeal. But I am concerned that the tone of these pitches implies a bit of desperation either on the part of their congregational customers, or on the part of their commission-driven consultants. I’ve also learned that no matter what the industry or organization, anxiety drives people to seek a quick fix. It’s the same for parents, pastors and presidents. The more dire we perceive the circumstances, the more likely we grasp for magic wands; and right on time, a proliferation of magic wand stores suddenly appear.

Be assured, I have every confidence that our officers and congregation will weather whatever may or may not be going on; we may even seek outside ideas and expertise if appropriate. We will endure and thrive, not when we purchase the secret formula for success, but when our agenda begins with thanks-giving before undertaking problem-solving. Gratitude opens our hearts to what God has already provided, presuming whatever is needed God is in the process of giving. Gratitude also dispels the anxiety which easily overwhelms good judgment; it’s impossible to feel desperation in a mindset of abundance.

When gratitude precedes strategy, mistakes merely become opportunities to joyfully try again. (Come to think of it, that’s pretty good advice for Valentine’s Day, too.)

Musing through my spam filter, I remain,

With love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor