2005
Mary Anne R. Heine
Awaking a Sleeping Giant – the Spiritual Journey of a Dying Mission
This is the study a small, dying congregation, established 62 years ago, in the Louisiana Diocese. St. Michael and All Angels’ is strategically located in a middle-to upper-class neighborhood, in a one-mile radius from one of the largest Historically Black College and University campuses (more than 9,000 students). St. Michael’s Day School, serving low-income families, is also located at the mission’s site. The mission is made up of African, Caribbean and American Blacks and has sustained an average Sunday worship attendance of forty to fifty members for the last fifteen years. Despite its strategic location, land upon which to expand its facility and the absence of debt, St. Michael’s Church has never been able to grow. The following reports the effect a renewed spiritual emphasis had on this dying mission community. With this renewed spiritual emphasis St. Michael’s congregation has broken the cycle of resistance to change and established five Strategic Goals for its 10-year Plan. Utilizing data gathered from the Demographic Study, the Day School Parents’ Survey, and Southern University Students’ Survey, the Mission is now committed to reverse its lack of aggressive recruitment of members and to renew its partnership with Southern University Students, while more actively engaging in outreach to the community. Faithfulness to this commitment will continue to Awaken this Giant of a Mission.