Perspective on Reality

Last weekend, the SLW board met for our annual retreat.

One of the primary tasks of the board is governance and strategy, which relates to the long-term direction and vision of the church. The purpose of this annual gathering is to think strategically about where we are and where God wants us to go. It is an important part of us being the church the Lord wants us to be now and in the future.

This year, we specifically spent time in Situational Analysis [Where we've been & Where we are], Strategic Analysis [Where we should go] and Strategic Planning [How do we get there].

However, before we did any of that, we spent time in prayer, and we looked at a few realities that influence and shape what we do and why we do it. They provide perspective on the realities we face, and I wanted to share them with you. Here they are: [Note: Most numerical data is rounded and based on statistics from city-data.com]

Our church family:

:: represents a 5 county footprint, which means the SLW family comes from Mercer County and the 4 surrounding counties.

:: represents 12 different school districts.

:: has had an average attendance of 609 since September and weekend high of 809 at Christmas.

These realities are wonderful, and they represent what God is doing at SLW. However, they also hint at what He still wants to do at SLW. Especially in light of these regional realities:

Our region:

:: Population of Mercer County is roughly 116,000

:: Percentage of people with religious affiliation: 57% [66,000]

:: Percentage of people with no religious affiliation: 43% [50,000]

:: Population of Venango County is roughly 54,000

:: Percentage of people with religious affiliation: 50% [27,000]

:: Percentage of people with no religious affiliation: 50% [27,000]

:: Population of Butler County is roughly 185,000

:: Percentage of people with religious affiliation: 60% [111,000]

:: Percentage of people with no religious affiliation: 40% [74,000]

:: Population of Crawford County is roughly 88,000

:: Percentage of people with religious affiliation: 40% [35,000]

:: Percentage of people with no religious affiliation: 60% [53,000]

:: Population of Lawrence County is roughly 90,000

:: Percentage of people with religious affiliation: 65% [58,000]

:: Percentage of people with no religious affiliation: 35% [32,000]

All those statistics add up to 236,000 people in our region with no religious affiliation and in all likelihood no relationship with God.

Think about it…236,000! That’s a lot of people who need Jesus!

And…our average attendance this fall of 609 is just the beginning.

I realize those stats can either be a sobering reminder or motivating reality. We can shrink under the immensity of these realities or lean hard into them in the power and authority of our God.

Our regional influence is not an end in itself or a laurel to simply rest on. It’s a God-orchestrated opportunity for us to work very intentionally toward making the most of. [ref. Ephesians 5:15-17]

(Click here for some further thoughts on this opportunity.)

That being said, I invite you to join with me, the board and the ministry team in praying that the Lord will equip us with everything good for doing his will.

20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. [Hebrews 13:20-21]