My family and I recently returned from what was most likely a once-in-a-lifetime vacation in Ireland and N. Ireland. Although both Carol and I have previously been to Ireland on a number of occassions, this was the first time we were able to take the entire family. What an incredible time we had together! I am sure that we made memories that the children will remember for a lifetime.
When one thinks of Ireland/N. Ireland, and sees the title of this posting, you may think that I would naturally write on the politics of this once very troubled land. Possibly you may think that I would offer up insights into the peace process that is now over a decade old. Or if you are an economist, you might wonder if I was going to talk about the recent "tanking" of the once powerful "Celtic Tiger".
No, the lessons I want to reflect upon has more to do with the nature and state of the Church in both Irelands. Ireland, both North and South, has always been a very religious society. Devout Roman Catholicism in the South and fervent, evangelical Protestantism, with a minority Catholic population, in the North have populated this divided land. Twenty years ago the Republic enjoyed an estimated 90% regular mass attendance. Belfast, in the North, had arguably the highest concentration of evangelical churches in the world.
During the past twenty years life has changed dramatically in Ireland. In the South, the "Celtic Tiger" roared to life and the young and well educated population began to enjoy the benefits of prosperity. In the North peace brought foreign investment, employment, and good paying jobs, as well as an unparalleled housing boom. Thrown into that mix of upward mobility was one of the most pervasive and devastating sets of priest scandals to rock the Catholic Church. Now, in the South, mass attendance, by some estimates is at 50%, and free-falling. In the North, walking through the Protestant Shankill community of West Belfast I witnessed many of the traditional inner city churches (Presbyterian, Methodist, Church of Ireland), some with massive structures that just a generation ago would have held 100's of weekly worshipers, now boarded up, a testament to a growing societal secularism, but also an inability or an unwillingness to reach the community around them with the message of Jesus Christ.
I have a very good friend who is a pastor in Northern Ireland. He has pastored mainly in inner-city settings his entire life. He realizes the tide has changed from when he pastored in inner-city Belfast in the 1970's -1980's and now again in the 2000's. And yet, Jim is an optimist. No, he doesn't come by this naturally. Rather, he comes by this supernaturally. In his own words, he is an optimist because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is an eternally optimistic Gospel that offers true hope and eternal change for now and eternity.
Let me share a positive story from our Irish excursion that underscores this point. On our first Sunday in Ireland, we stayed near the town of Sligo, in what is commonly referred to as "Yeats' Country" (after the great Irish author W.B. Yeats). There, ten years ago, one may have seen 15-20 worshippers in the historic Methodist church we attended. However, on this Sunday, there were well in excess of 120 people, at least half of whom were 20yrs. of age and younger! The Gospel is a powerful and optimistic force!
As I considered both the examples of Sligo in the South, and Belfast in the North, I thought about the community in which Good News is strategically located. If we, like many of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches of West Belfast do not attempt to engage the changing cultural landscape that surrounds us, we will develop a "fortress" mentality that instead of permeating the community with the message of salvation in Jesus Christ, will focus on just ourselves and meeting our own needs. Within a generation the doors will be closed. If, however, against all odds, as was the case in the Sligo congregation, we fearlessly preach the Gospel, we will see all men drawn unto Christ (Jn. 3:14-15). Let's learn this lesson from Ireland.