It is arguable that its founding over 150 years ago, the Diocese of California has always ministered in a culture where the dominate religious patterns of other regions have had little appeal. The western United States has never had the church-going regularity of other parts of the US, and surveys consistently show that organized religion has less appeal to the people on the West Coast than elsewhere.
None of this is news to congregational leaders. Some, however, may find it surprising that while church allegiances are weak, this doesn’t necessarily translate into anti-church sentiments. This is particularly true for the Episcopal Church: at last year’s national “Plant My Church” conference, one of the speakers said that while the word “Christian” has negative connotations for many unchurched persons (perhaps reflecting a discomfort with the political and theological rhetoric of some Christian groups), the words “Episcopal Church” actually have positive connotations.
So, we minister in an area of weak formal religious adherence, but with a “brand name” that separates us from other faith groups. Add to this the fact that, far from being atheistic, our part of the country sees itself as a particularly spiritual culture, and the environment in which we proclaim the Good News of Jesus seems more inviting than at first glance. How does all this help inform our ministries in evangelism?
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Don’t be afraid to identify as an Episcopal Church. Our profile in such areas as civil rights, social ministries, environmental concerns and education gives us a good reputation. Don’t hide your light under a bushel!
2. Encourage parishioners to become fluent in telling their personal histories of faith – in their own words, and at their own comfort level. Spiritual people will be drawn to the authenticity of such personal stories of “why I am a Christian, and how this has transformed my life.”
3. Discipleship – the life transformation of being a follower of Jesus – is not a negative! People want to “invest their lives” in something worthwhile!
4. Don’t be passive, waiting for seekers to find you: create “buzz” through creative ministries and word-of-mouth.
5. Experiential liturgies and transformative small groups seem particularly attractive to seekers who are “spiritual but not religious.”