The decline of church membership in the United States is a complex issue. While it is right and appropriate to question whether or not the ministries of the church continue to be relevant for this time and age, it is equally important to recognize the changing face of the America.The changing demographics have made the United States a much more ethnically, culturally, and religiously pluralistic society than ever before. In addition, the explosion of urban centers has made life more economically complex and challenging with a concomitant impact on religious life and involvement. In spite of these realities, while the church is on the decline, it is far from dead.The narratives of these clergy leaders in the most religiously challenging region of the United States, the Pacific Northwest, often referred to as the “None Zone,”offer testimonies and evidence of vibrant church life and ministries that speak to the changing realities of 21st century society. As Reverend Rich Lang, the District Superintendent of the SeaTac Missional District, reminds us, the “None Zone” can be an “Abundant Zone,” and he is seeing “true abundance in congregations that are learning to build relational partnerships with others who share their values.”The stories each of these pastors share are powerful.Their experiences can become best practices for the revival of religiosity and church life, not only in the “None Zone” of the Pacific Northwest but also in other regions of the United States.
