Is your church having a bit of a midlife crisis? Is your church in the middle of a "What am I doing with my life?" existential dread? There is a minivan in my neighborhood with a bumper sticker that reads, "I'm not lost, I'm exploring." I suspect many of our churches would like to claim the same: kind of lost, not quite sure where we're going, and either in denial or completely oblivious.

The reality is that in our modern world, many of the old ways of doing ministry, worship, outreach, and formation just aren’t cutting it anymore. We can't rely on beautiful stained glass windows and fantastic potlucks to attract the next generation. Outdated and obsolete technology isn’t our only problem; outdated or obsolete systems and ways of thinking are the newest shortcomings of the local church. The world is changing, and if our churches don't change with it, we'll become irrelevant.

Look around. The pews are emptying, the offering plates are getting lighter, and the average age of our congregations is growing older by the day. We're facing a crisis of identity, purpose, and relevance. But before panic sets in, let me assure you, there's hope. This midlife crisis isn't the end of the road. It's a chance to rediscover who we are and what we're called to be. It’s in the name—midlife. We have so much vitality ahead if we can make the shift.

So, what's a church in crisis to do? Here are a few ways your church can get started in response:

Ditch the Old Playbook. The one that says, “We have to do things a certain way because that's how it's always been done.” The one that prioritizes tradition over innovation, conformity over creativity. It's time to throw out the rule book and start looking at what it means to be the church in the 21st century. How can we make the gospel relevant to a generation that's more interested in TikTok than the Ten Commandments?

Embrace Your Messiness. Stop pretending we have it all together and open ourselves up to the reality of the situation. Let's admit our shortcomings, confess our failures, and acknowledge the ways we've hurt people. Authenticity is more desirable than polished or interesting or funny, or even relevant. People are craving realness, not religious platitudes. Start with acknowledging the mess, then move forward authentically.

Be Willing to Change. Change is scary but it's also necessary for growth. Be open to new ideas, new ways of worshiping, new ways of serving our communities. Let's be willing to experiment, to fail, and to learn from our mistakes. And, as open as you are to new things, be open to the fact that some things the church is currently doing may have run its course.

Go Out. The world is our parish, and it's hurting. Let's show up where the pain is. Let's offer hope, healing, and a community of belonging. Let's be known for our love, not our judgment. Jesus preached at the beach and the hillside. John Wesley preached at the coal mines and prison camps. The world is waiting for your church, go out and meet it.

This midlife crisis is an opportunity for the church to rediscover its true calling. It's a chance to shed the baggage of the past and embrace a future that's messy, unpredictable, and full of grace. So as a church, as a leader, as a Christian, begin asking the questions of discernment and be prepared for God to call you to somewhere new! When we are bold enough to follow, who knows where the journey will take us. One thing's for sure: it's going to be a wild ride.