Jean-Jacques Rousseau once wrote the following in his work on the Social Contract:
"As soon as public service ceases to be the chief business of the citizens, and they would rather serve with their money than with their persons, the State is not far from its fall."
As a social organization, the Church is very much in the same boat of the state of Rousseau's thought. As soon as we would rather give money than sweat to a situation or problem, then we are surely headed for decline.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau once wrote the following in his work on the Social Contract:
"As soon as public service ceases to be the chief business of the citizens, and they would rather serve with their money than with their persons, the State is not far from its fall."
As a social organization, the Church is very much in the same boat of the state of Rousseau's thought. As soon as we would rather give money than sweat to a situation or problem, then we are surely headed for decline.
Could it be that in the efforts to professionalize ministry and have "specialized" ministry areas in our churches we have actually worked ourselves into decline. Put another way, does having a children's minister, youth minister, senior adults minister, small groups minister, etc. actually decrees congregational investment and participation in those areas.
When I was in youth ministry I heard this sort of thing a lot. Most folk have a reason as to why they are not able to assist with youth ministry as a sponsor or just a presence in the youth ministry.
- People with no children would say, I don't have children, but this is why we hired you.
- People with young children would say, when my kids are in youth I will volunteer, but until then this is why we hired you.
- People with youth aged kids would say, my child does not want me helping lead their group, which is why we hired you.
- People with grown children would say, my kids are grown and I have had my turn, which is why we hired you.
- Retirees would say the youth don't connect with people my age which is why we hired you.
There are always exceptions, and for those people I give thanks to God for your ministry and willingness to serve, however on the whole finding youth ministry volunteers is a full time job in of itself.
Could it be that Rousseau's thought is playing itself out in the decline of the church numbers and influence? Could it be part of the solution (hire professional and specialized staff) is actually part of our problem?