Pastoral


Reflections Rev. Dr. Jack Haberer


Beloved FPCA Friend, We didn’t shrink in 2019. Yes, that’s an odd way to start a letter or commentary, but it did provide a refrain that I sounded several times in the State of the Church report delivered at the Annual Congregational Meeting of February 23.


I began by reiterating and giving examples of the four words that are guiding our work together: Caring for one another, Outreach to neighbors near and far, Devotion to God, and Empowerment to do all of the above. See the last two editions of Tidings to read more about those efforts and results.


My report then turned to other matters of note. Membership slipped a hundred or so, I said. I explained that we hadn’t “cleaned the rolls” in five or so years. Some churches do so annually. We were behind in sorting through names of folks who have moved away or disappeared for other reasons. So we sorted through the list and identified those we’ve been missing since 2017 or longer. We contacted them to urge them to come back. A few said, “I’m coming back; keep me on the rolls.” Others didn’t respond. Almost all had moved out of the area. In the end, we trimmed 109 names— praying that they will find another fellowship of Christians in their area with whom to grow in their faith.


We turned our attention to attendance. Tis is the leading indicator of church size. I reminded those present that virtually all American churches are shrinking, and many of them are plummeting in attendance. All major Protestant denominations boomed in


the 1950s (this church’s massive building was dedicated in late 1958), but those same denominations have been shrinking every year since 1964. Almost all conservative and nondenominational churches peaked in 2000 and have been shrinking ever since, too. (A few megachurches have continued to grow, but indeed, they are very few and far between).


Here at FPCA, after three boom years, we shrank a little in 2012-14, then Pastor Tony Sundermeier left. We shrank 28 percent in 2014-2016 (14 percent average per year), and then after my arrival, we shrank 8 percent more in 2016-2018 (4 percent per year)—an improvement but not the progress we hoped for. “Put on your seat belt,” I said. “We didn’t shrink in 2019. Say it with me: We didn’t shrink in 2019.” We actually grew a whopping 3 percent. We didn’t set any records, but even a small improvement is encouraging, eh? In fact, we discovered that in the nine Northeastern states (New England plus New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.) we are the seventh largest Presbyterian church in membership, and in attendance actually the second largest.


I recounted the great news of two ordinations of children of the church:


Nicole Vogel and Christopher Palmer. We celebrated yet again the installation of Taylor Hall as Pastor for Youth and Faith Formation. And I announced that Abraham Pa Cawi, the volunteer worship leader for the Chin Burmese Fellowship for over five years, has been added to the actual staff, being compensated on a part-time basis for his passionate, visionary, and faith-filled leadership of that fellowship. Tanks be to God!


Financial reports followed mine, delivered by Larry Erickson, Roger Yott, and Larry Deal. While giving in 2019 slipped a bit, the first- and second-mile commitment drives for 2020 netted an actual increase in pledges, so we have approved a balanced budget, and all of our ministries and mission service can continue apace.


Back to my address: I ended with yet another reiteration of the day’s refrain, “We didn’t shrink in 2019.” With God’s help, may our fellowship and the impact it makes upon our community flourish and grow in 2020.


Grace and Peace to you and yours,


Jack Haberer Lead Pastor


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