Thank you for your study on the 52 Sunday attendance. Last year I was able
to get the 52 Sunday information for the diocese from Ray Duncan and was
stunned to learn that we had been collecting the information at the national
office for several years and had not only not done any analysis of the data
but did not even return these data to the diocese in the standard report
because the numbers "had not been added to our management information
system." How could we have flown through the decade of evangelism and not
even had these data clearly visible on our instrument panel? It appears to
be one of those cases where we collect data for the purpose of collecting the
data, at least until your study was produced.
I have given a lot of thought to that experience. Here is some of the
thinking I have been doing. In business, mom and pop stores are dying out.
They simply cannot compete with the Wal-Marts of the world or even smaller
firms that have a nationally based distribution system. At the same time
mainline churches are declining or remaining constant in attendance while the
mom and pop churches are flourishing. Why the difference?
Does the national office improve the efficiency of the local church in
meeting the demands of the Great Commission? Is the national church more a
tax on local effort than it is a facilitator of more effective local
discipleship? I know that there are some examples where centralization of
function is more effective as I am sure the argument could be made for the
PB's fund for World Relief but can the same be said for other centralized
functions of the church?
A cynical professor of mine once told me that "no good deed ever goes
unpunished". You have performed a good deed and I hope you may hear my
ramblings not as punishment but as the song of praise you so richly deserve.
Peace,
A.L.
A.L. Addington
Minister for Ministry Development
Diocese of Georgia