Duck United Methodist Church:

A place of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and witness.

Dear Fellow Sojourners,

This is the time of year when Methodist clergy send in their Table 1, 2, and 3 reports to the district and conference offices. They are suppose to give a broad view of the health and vitality of the local church by reporting membership gains or losses, attendance, and giving. Every clergy experiences a little anxiety hoping that such statistics communicate that their church had a “good year.”

Unfortunately, statistics rarely ever tell the whole truth of a church’s witness and vitality. In fact, they can indicate some false positives. In our American culture we are enamored by success based on numbers. We assume the larger the church and the bigger the budget the more successful a church must be. But membership, attendance, and giving are not, in themselves, signs of faithfulness. More and more as we look closely at those who attend church and those who don’t we discover that it’s difficult to tell them apart. People can attend and join the church and even give to it without being committed to the church’s nature and mission.

In fact, as someone has said, “we can so market the church with its multiple programs designed for everyone that belief in God becomes incidental.” So if statistics are not the true measure of the church’s success what is? And can it be measured? This is the kind of question we clergy lose sleep over. Are we the purveyors of the “status quo” or are we making a real impact for the Kingdom of God?

I am venturing out on a limb when I say to you that I believe one way we measure our success and faithfulness is whether or not our churches are displaying the reign of God and the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul says this fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And the reign of God includes “good news being preached to the poor.” Is there less poverty in our communities as a result of the witness and service of our congregation? Are we champions of justice and mercy? Are we more interested in serving than being served?

The witness of Duck church in its mission beyond its doors reveals a beautiful collage of mission and hospitality. From housing the homeless, to rebuilding peoples homes and lives we have given ample testimony to the reign of God. In our fellowship activities, worship and Bible studies, and visitation and care of members we have displayed the fruit of the Spirit and give a true testament to the health and vitality of Duck United Methodist Church. Let us not grow weary in well doing,

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Ray Wittman