My last church visit for my sabbatical took me and the fam to Basking Ridge NJ and Millington Baptist Church. I have visited this church on a number of occassions when visiting friends. This is a church in the midst of major changes. This past year it birthed its gen X ministry called Liquid into a full fledge church. Some 600 people went with Liquid, but also its most vibrate and active ministry in the church. In addition, a long time (and loved) Associate Pastor will be moving to....LANCASTER, PA!! Also there is vision driift at the church and its leadership is attempting to address it.
Even though there has been some negative issues at the church, i have to say that this was one of my best experiences at the church. I think the first reason is that for the summer they have consolidated all their services to one 10:15AM service. It meant that people had to sacrifice in sit in the balcony or watch by video, yet it made the sanctuary overflowing and a sense of excitement. Secondly, the music and worship time was extremely good. Their worship pastor did a fine job blend old and new and creating a wonderful time of praising the Lord. Also the full house -- made the worship loud and rich!
The final piece that made the morning really enjoyable was sharing lunch together directly after the service. In an attempt to bring the church together they have had a lunch EVERY Sunday through the summer. They have had different themes at the lunch and what they thought would draw a 100-125 has had 200 each week -- a smashing success!!! I remember my mother who use to be in charge of church dinners at my church growing up saying.... "Sunday is different, when you have a supper on Saturday night." Its true and Millington is proving how strategic these Connection Luncheons have been. I hope the leadership is considering having something like this everyother month or so during the year and apitalizing on the momentum they are gaining.
One final thought about Millington, the crises they have gone through will make a church or break it. If people respond like a Mother Bear protecting her cubs and say..."this is our church and we have to do something to save it!" They have a shot! If they give up and say..."Nothing is ever going to change --- same old, same old!" Then pronounce it dead, have a nice funeral and move on. Too many churches limp along and it only hurts the really committed people and the NAme and Power of Christ. Hopefully Millington will recover.