I was talking with a church musician who is a friend of mine. He was reflecting on a congregation we are both familiar with and what needs to change if that congregation (and so many others) are going to have a shot at engaging a new future and connecting with new people.

He said, “I don’t think most of the laity here have any idea what they believe about Christian faith. Oh, they can recite the basics about Jesus was born, died and rose again. They know the Trinity is good doctrine but don’t understand it. And they have no idea why the faith matters and connects to life today.”

I totally agree with him. He grew up in a different Christian faith tradition than the one I live in and found his way from a grass roots church experience growing up into a mainline expression of the church where he belongs today. And there is much he likes about the mainline church – especially its willingness to change and address diversity and inclusivity in the church and the world.

But he also sees a church that is too dependent on pastors and where laity seem to come to listen to what professionals say. As a result, they have no idea what to say about the faith, how to witness and invite other people, and how to reflect on the connections for their daily lives and their church involvement. And this really bothers him!

When I asked him what he sees needing to happen, he thinks professional leaders in general need to do less direct service, ask more questions, and promote more talking among the people. “People don’t know how to talk about and think about their faith,” he said. “And if they come every week just to find out what the professional thinks, they never will.”

Here are three questions to ask yourself:

      1. How are you promoting a more vibrant and living faith where you are (and how do you see measurable results happening)?

      2. How often do laity speak on matters of faith to larger groups within your ministry?

      3. How are you providing intentional spaces where people can talk about faith questions in smaller circles (pairs and triads, small groups, etc.)?

If you are interested in a different kind of church where faith is not a one-directional activity, helping people talk about it and making sure they have a regular platform to share is essential. Long-term, faith communities that don’t make this shift are going to be in trouble.

But the ones that do make the shift, are going to see God work in and among the people in many new and important ways.