Weekly Greeting - June 27, 2025
Greetings friends,
Five Years After
This week I read some information from a 5-year study of “Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations,” funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and led by Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace.
Sounds boring? Well, maybe. But it gives some interesting statistical data and some helpful observations that may speak to our ongoing conversations at Bethlehem UMC. I’ll try to limit the statistics but focus on what matters to us.
A survey they did at the end of 2024 showed that American churches not only weathered the storm, but one-fifth of current attenders report increased attendance compared to pre-pandemic levels. And overall engagement remains consistently strong. Also, get this, 38% of surveyed church attenders joined their current congregation within the past five years. This represents a significant influx of new members including church switchers, returning believers and first-time participants who bring fresh energy and optimism.
That information caught me by surprise. I asked myself, when are we going to get our share of these new attenders. Then I started thinking of the new attenders that we have. But I know that we must not take that for granted.
Other information from the study reveals:
· Even though virtual worship options are now available in a majority of churches, in-person attendance remains the preferred choice for three fourths of churchgoers. However, the pandemic has created new hybrid participation patterns with many people choosing a dual-format approach that allows for attendance even when traveling or otherwise not able to attend in person.
· Pandemic experiences have led to deeper religious faith and spirituality for more than half who were surveyed. This has translated to increased volunteerism and financial giving. Electronic donation methods are now used by more than half of the respondents.
· Due to the necessities to adapt during the pandemic, there is a greater willingness to change. At least up to a point. Congregations are willing to face new challenges. However, this trend has started to slow down. The lead researcher said, “I think the collective trauma of the pandemic and all that change has really turned many congregations inward and like, ‘OK, ‘we changed, but we’re not doing anything more.”’
As I look at this information, I think about Bethlehem and our community. I think that we are in a season of growth in faith and spirituality. I have had so many conversations with people who are energized by their own growth.
And I think I see that our congregation is weary of change. We had to think long and hard about change when we combined into a single worship service and blended styles of music. Rev. Dr. Craig Goff’s retirement has been hard too.
But I choose to focus on looking forward. Despite the changes we have experienced, we know who we are as a congregation. We love, we grow spiritually, and we serve Christ in our community and in our world. We are still open to new expressions of those core values.
As we anticipate the arrival of our new pastor, Rev. Dr. Mary Beth Bernheisel, our enthusiasm is growing for what she brings to us as our pastoral and spiritual leader. As our former bishop repeated so frequently, “the best is yet to come” for Bethlehem UMC. I don’t think we will experience change as much as we will experience new possibilities that turn into new opportunities.
God bless!
Terry
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This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Vona Wilson will be our guest preacher. Vona served Bethlehem UMC as interim pastor just before Craig Goff came to us. She has served for many years at Franklin First UMC, and more recently as District Superintendent and now as Assistant Bishop. Her message is titled “Holy Transitions” based on texts 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Luke 9:51-62.