Hallmarks of the Remnant Church

The latest data about the religious lives of those in the United States tells us that about 40% of people here participate in any kind of formal worship at least once a month. Though we have known that this shift was coming for a while, that Christianity would no longer be the religion of the majority, it seems that reality has asserted itself in fact post-pandemic. The church is no longer operating in a paradigm where Christianity serves as America’s civil religion, but has moved into a paradigm that I call the “remnant church.” We’re already seeing the data, that there are fewer people who practice a faith, but the people who do are more dedicated to contributing to the thriving of their faith communities. This new paradigm will come with its own distinct hallmarks. As faith leaders, we are shepherding communities through this transition while – by and large – still being coached as if it were possible or even desirable to stay in (admittedly, a more technologically advanced version of) the old paradigm. Instead, let us focus on the qualities that characterize remnant churches:

Survival is a success in and of itself – They say that restaurants are always only a few weeks away from closing, and many churches will likely function the same way in the future. Even just making it as a community, when community itself is so disincentivized by our cultural moment, is worth celebrating. Survival means that you are still here. When a church persists, however imperfectly, the Word is being preached, the sacraments are being celebrated, and the saints are making their way through the world as the Body of Christ.

Rooted, Contextual Ministry – During the era of the civil church paradigm, churches were largely assumed to function in similar ways, and ordained ministers were more or less interchangeable within denominations. As the way churches function continues to diversify– differences in where and when communities gather, how membership is understood, and the methods used for faith formation, all of which are deeply influenced by local context— churches will be better served by leaders who understand the nuances of the landscape of their community life.   

Clarity in Mission – Most churches will not be able to maintain the illusion that they can “do it all.” Instead, the concentrated energy of the remnant church will provide them with more clarity about what is important to them as a community. The expansion of shared ministry partnerships will also provide the involved churches the space to differentiate and be supportive of one another’s uniqueness.  

Tackling the Biblical Illiteracy Crisis – I have heard many pastors remark, especially in recent years, that the children of our congregations seem to have less and less general knowledge of the Bible. I don’t bring this up to be some kind of “kids-these-days” naysayer. I bring this up because the Bible is the primary witness of God’s grace that we have inherited from the cloud of witnesses. In the coming years, congregations need to make a more explicit shift to prioritize Biblical literacy so that together they can share the wonder of receiving the good news of God With Us.  

Gratitude for many small wonders – For the remnant church, nothing can be taken for granted, which also means that we have much to be grateful for. Give thanks for people who wash dishes, for families who bake bars and serve Sunday morning refreshments, for people who set up communion, for people who trim branches and blow out sprinkler systems, and teach Sunday School. Everything that gets done in congregational life is a small wonder. We, as leaders, have the privilege of being surrounded by wonders every day that we work. 

Let Gentleness bind us together – Generally, the people who belong to a church want to be there. There is always so much that could be done, so much that could be better – churches are always works in progress – but our churches will not be well served by anxiety in already anxious times. “Should-ing” our congregations rarely helps. Instead, may we remember to be gentle with each other. May we remember to take time for rest. May we learn how to let things go for which there is no energy. May we remember to celebrate the small things. May God help us to listen deeply and openly to one another. May we assume best intentions and be quick to apologize. May we seek God in prayer. May the remnant church be known for their gentleness.

Yes, the paradigm has shifted, and we are in a new era of the church. Instead of trying to re-engineer “the good old days,” let us meet this change by claiming our new identity as remnant churches and give thanks for all the gifts that come with it.