Comment by James C Schultz on 5th mo. 7, 2012 at 8:28pm

The problem is we tend to put the cart before the horse.  If there's a decline in members there's a cause for the decline.  Determine the cause first, then you can agree on a solution.  On another blog the reader raised the point that the meeting houses were in the wrong areas to attract new members.  That struck a chord in my soul and i wrote a followup blog "Come Follow Me".  As I have meditated on what I wrote I seem to be gravitating towards the idea of going in to less fortunate areas and seeing what they need and how/if I can meet that need and then see if my meeting wants to join me.  I think more individuals have to do what Micah is doing within the Quakers and Shane Claiborne is doing in Philadelphia.  If it's God's will the work will prosper and if it isn't it will die out but at least it will die in the act of loving.  I believe the yearly meetings should use any monies they receive from selling abandoned meeting houses to start up missionary works - food pantries, homeless shelters, etc.  Do the works first and let membership take care of itself.

Comment