Leadership in a Shrinking Church: Finding New Vision in Unlikely Places

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Theological and practical reflections on demographic change in the church.

Numerous churches are contending with the challenges posed by declining membership and attendance. While these trends have most recently been ascribed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trajectory predates the pandemic and is likely to continue beyond it. William Harrison takes the perspective that demographic decline is merely a reality, rather than a failure to be resolved with new strategies, and examines the theological and ecclesiological questions posed by a shrinking church.

In theological and practical reflections, Harrison examines the twin crises of identity and leadership facing the church, arguing that in response to demographic change, churches must renew their outward focus on evangelism and service. These characteristics of a diaconal church are rooted in sacramental life and self-understanding in a sacramental world. At the same time, leaders must find ways to support these activities while managing decline. Leadership in a Shrinking Church connects theological reflection to mission by identifying some of the challenges presented by decline and connecting them to productive responses.

Author Bio

William H. Harrison is president of Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon. He is a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada and rostered pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. He has both taught and served in leadership roles with the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad and the Kootenay School of Ministry. Dr. Harrison has served in diocesan roles with the Anglican Dioceses of Kootenay and Huron and in parish ministry. His Ph.D. is in Systematic Theology, from Boston College, with a dissertation on Richard Hookers ecclesiological method. He has an MA in English Literature from the University of British Columbia, a BTh from University of Ottawa/St. Paul University, an Honours BA in Political Science from Carleton University, and a Professional Leadership Certificate from the University of Regina. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.