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Abstract
The purpose of this Ministry Focus Paper is to study the theology and means of spiritual renewal and to explore the possibilities of its application through a specific, biblically-based strategy at Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church (PBPC), a moribund mainline church.
PBPC offers both obstacles and opportunities in renewal. It is a 90-year-old church in significant membership decline, with over 50% of its membership over 65. Yet it is located in a vital urban area populated by young families, singles, and others that it can culturally reach. The church has a leadership core that is open, energetic, and teachable. They have called a pastor who is young and able to relate to the diverse challenges of the community. Important steps toward renewal have already been taken, but a coherent strategy for renewal is still needed.
Like many mainline Presbyterian churches, PBPC cannot rest on its past history. It must reinvent itself amidst an increasingly diverse and changing culture. This culture has grown up largely unchurched and has little appreciation for denominational distinctives. PBPC must ask itself some very basic questions: What does it mean to be the church, biblically-speaking? What are we called to be and do as a congregation? What are our unique strengths and weaknesses? What must we change—and not change? How can we reach our neighbors? Asking and answering these questions are a preamble to spiritual renewal.
This paper will be divided into three sections. The first section will give a profile of the church and its surrounding community (the current context for renewal). An accurate depiction of the church, its history, its membership decline, its demographics and socioeconomics will be given. A profile of Oakland and its surrounding districts will be shared, along with an assessment of the cultural trends impacting ministry in the area.
The second section will examine the biblical and theological foundations for renewal, working towards a definition of renewal that is faithful to historic Christianity and relevant to contemporary ministry. Important components of renewal will be gleaned from these studies, ingredients which are critical in a practical strategy of renewal.
The third section will outline a strategy of renewal based on the needs discussed in Section One, combined with the components of renewal surfaced in Section Two. Past efforts at renewal will be delineated and future strategies given, along with specific goals.
The purpose of this project is very practical: to reflect on and discern what it is that prevents renewal at PBPC and to strategize an effective means of ushering in a renewal that will revitalize this congregation for ministry in the twenty-first century.
