Long Leaf Pines and the Body of Christ

2013 June 18

by Diocesan Staff

“We need to attract families with young children.” This statement is the top vote getter in survey after survey of church members asked to identify what their congregation needs. This is, of course, true, and yet the statement hides as much as it reveals about what we actually need in our churches.

Roots to endure the flames
Last week, Victoria and I spent hours in the long leaf pine forests like those that long covered the coastal plain from southeast Virginia to east Texas. I couldn’t help but noticing the similarity to a healthy long leaf pine forest and the Body of Christ. The trees put down deep tap roots which allow them to survive fires which cleanse the forest floor of undergrowth. Lightning strike fires commonly burned large swaths of land before fire suppression efforts changed that. As Christians, we each need to form deep tap roots where we can find nourishment in worship, prayer and reading scripture so that we too can not only endure but thrive in the chances and changes of this life.

Growth that spans generations
Long leaf pine forests also have a mix of ages as young trees grow in gaps created when older trees die. Trees of all ages grow alongside one another. Looking at the healthy forest made up of trees of varying ages and sizes, I was struck by how our children need to be surrounded by the giants of the faith who are the older members of our churches. I was struck by how a healthy congregation wouldn’t be filled with young families, but would also have a mix of ages and experience.

I know that when congregations say they want to attract young families, it is because the over 60 set is already present. But I highlight this realization born of viewing a healthy forest as it reminds me how much we need and should value all ages. Certainly, the financial pressures on young families make it difficult for them to support the church to the degree older members can, but beyond this financial need for older members there are other ways we need one another.

Inter-generational Programs
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Trees Whose Shade We’ll Never Know
Our guides, John and Phyllis Hiers of Christ Church, Valdosta, also took us to see a stand of the slow growing pines that John planted 13 years ago. The teenagers are well over head height, but they remain quite immature. That stand of trees was planted for their grandchildren and great grandchildren. That same foresight is needed in the stewardship of our churches. Most of us worship in buildings provided for us by previous generations. All of us need to support our churches so that they will still be building up the body of Christ when our great grandchildren are the elders in the congregation.