Retired Methodist minister says his dwindling denomination could save itself by online outreach where churches close

The loss of rural population and communities that began with mechanized, large-scale farming has been hard on the United Methodist Church, retired Rev. Mel West of Columbia, Mo., writes for UM News, a denominational publication.

"We did not realize the impact the tractor would have upon our community, our rural populations and our beloved church, but the cycle was started across the U.S. . . . As larger tractors came, my brother Olin, a college-educated farmer, said, 'Melvin, that is not good. It will destroy our neighborhoods and communities.' He was reflecting upon what the prophet Isaiah (5:8) said thousands of years ago: 'Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place; that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth.'

"While our method of agriculture has changed dramatically in the last 100 years, our method of churching has remained the same. In 1965, when I began working with Methodist churches statewide, congregations numbered 1,320. Today, we have fewer than 700, with about 16 closing a year. Some 250 of those 700 churches have fewer than 25 worshipping each Sunday."

The Rev. Mel West

West doesn't mention the schism in his dwindling denomination over gay marriage and clergy, which has prompted many churches to go independent. But he offers what he calls “A plan to re-church rural America,” which he says can benefit more than just the denomination.

"We assume that everyone has a right to an opportunity to worship in their own way. We provide such for prisoners, soldiers and hospital patients," he writes. "What then, should we provide for our rural citizens who live in “spiritual deserts” after their church has closed? How do we provide such opportunities for rural Christians who, for reasons such as distance, lack of transportation, health, poverty or age, cannot go to the county-seat town or other places where organized religion is offered?"

West offers these ideas:

• Provide a weekly, hourlong worship service available for livestreaming on YouTube or another video-sharing outlet.
• Strive to be ecumenical, with opportunities directed to people of the mainline denominations.
• Contain the elements of worship, Bible study and mission.
• Include people and groups from rural churches across the United States for music, prayers, calls to worship and benedictions. For purposes of continuity, have the same pulpit person each time.
• Be self-supporting, once launched, with 10% of received offerings going to worship service costs and 90% for selected mission projects such as Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, Rainbow Network, Mobility Worldwide, food banks and the like.
• During each worship service, include on the screen a brief report from one of those missions.

"The worship hour would be by, for and with rural churches. The studio that presents the service would encourage cooperating rural churches to record choral and other music, prayers, calls to worship and benedictions of selected members to include," West writes. "Participants would invite neighbors and friends to worship with them and to enjoy refreshments or a meal afterward. This could lead to starting house churches. After several house churches are begun, they could start a community church, rebuilding the spiritual foundation of the region and reopening closed church buildings."

Churches are needed not just for denominational reasons, but as community-building institutions, West writes: "Rural hospitals are closing. Professionals — doctors, lawyers, teachers, veterinarians — do not want to go there. State officials are working to restore and maintain needed services to that huge area of declining population. What will the church do?"