Church Development Expert Looks Beyond a Denomination in Crisis

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070630/28241_Church_Development_Expert_Looks_Beyond_a_Denomination_in_Crisis.htm

[The Christian Post] 30 June 2007--Although the Rev. Paul Nixon, author of recently released I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church, sees much hope in the United Methodist community, at the same time, he recognizes that the denomination is in "the midst of a cultural avalanche."

"Avalanches can roll on for a while and wipe out whole villages in their path. But if we are quick, nimble, and attentive in our skiing, we may escape burial in snow," wrote Nixon in the May/June issue of New World Outlook, a mission magazine of the United Methodist Church.

And when the "slide of snow ceases, we may view a panorama never before seen by human eyes, a place of fresh start," says Nixon, also director of Congregational Development in the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.

But in that new terrain, doing church business as usual would be "insane," as Nixon stated.

Related article:
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070625/28151_United_Methodists_Turning_Tide_for_Growth.htm
United Methodists Turning Tide for Growth - The Christian Post
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070604/27785_Report%3A_United_Methodists_More_Hopeful_in_Global_South_than_West.htm
Report: United Methodists More Hopeful in Global South than West - The Christian Post
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070612/27942_What_Makes_a_Thriving_Mainline_Church_When_Many_are_Dying%3F.htm
What Makes a Thriving Mainline Church When Many are Dying? - The Christian Post