Are We a "Commissary" or a "Caravan"?

In the two blogs posted today (Review Parts I and II), there are two areas that I believe the church must address.

The first one is making preparation for the onslaught of almost 375,000 Baby Boomers, in Metro Cincinnati alone, who will reach the traditional retirement age by 2012.

As I have considered this phenomenon, there is a second area which, in my judgment, must be considered.

The Commissary Model

Since the early 80s and the advent of the “seeker sensitive” movement, most churches have evolved into many different segments (4 different age groupings of children, Jr. High, High School, College, Singles, Young Married, Married with Children, Empty Nesters and Seniors).

Instead of a body of believers, most churches have become a disconnected group of “body” parts where each one makes it a point to visit the “commissary” to get what they need or what they think they need for the coming week.

There is a major problem with the commissary model. The problem is, unlike a super store, they do not necessarily have everything their customers need.

The reality is that, unless the “Seasoned Believer” comes to the spiritual commissary looking for a monthly pot-luck and a quarterly trip to Branson or Gatlinburg, there is nothing else in the “Senior Department” for them.

The next blog entry will describe the Scriptural model to which we should pay attention.

Ron

The Boomer Blogger