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A church in need of revival
Historic Madison church struggling to stay alive as congregation dwindles.Date published: 9/3/2002
Last in a series on the struggles of two small, rural churches. Sunday: The end of White Marsh Monday: An 'agonizing' decision BETHSAIDA UNITED Methodist Church is looking forward to revival next week. And members hope that this upcoming week of preaching and singing will be one that not only uplifts the spirit but also revives a dwindling congregation. Like many small churches, Bethsaida is struggling. Some in the congregation feel that Madison County's oldest Methodist church may soon be targeted for closure by the denomination's hierarchy. "If attendance doesn't pick up, we can't keep on," member Arnie Bennett said. Although there are 62 members officially listed on the picturesque Brightwood church's roll, members say the average Sunday attendance is less than 20. "There are about 15 or 16 regulars," said Lucy Hoffman. And Hoffman is quick to add that almost every person in the congregation is retirement-age or older. Young people, the future of any church, are conspicuously missing. "About the only time we have children come is when somebody brings their grandchildren," she said. When that happens, there is Sunday school. "Even if only one child is here, we have Sunday school," member Darlene Carpenter said. The adult Sunday school, however, was discontinued several years ago because of poor attendance. It's not that Bethsaida can't draw a crowd. Members expect the little country church, which can hold about 130 people in beautifully padded pews, to be full to overflowing for its Sept. 8 homecoming service. But when the special musicians have packed up their instruments and the country cooks have cleared away the dinner dishes, most fear the homecoming crowd will dwindle to a smattering of worshipers when revival begins the next night. In an era when many Christians seek churches where they are best entertained, congregations like the one at Bethsaida suffer. For example, church members say they have a crowd on fifth Sundays, when the popular Blue Valley Boys bluegrass band plays old-time gospel music. On regular Sundays, attendance struggles to reach 20. This worries members, be-cause 20 seems to be the magic number for Methodist officials deciding whether to close or consolidate churches.
Date published: 9/3/2002
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