The church is in decline, and we wonder why… In my previous job I came in contact with "Christians" on a daily basis. I got to see, up close and personal, how and why the church is declining.(My friend Matt knows what I am talking about) I however no longer ask, How? I now ask, Why? The How? Is a easily answerable: Depravity, Foolishness, Pride, these are the games we play. But Why? This question is not as easily answered.
When members of local churches come in and talk down to you as if they own you and you are beneath them. As if they have reached the insurmountable pinnacle of being a good "Christian" and they deserve your respect. Why?
When a pastor comes in the door: nose in the air, spouting off religious dogma, acting as if he has "arrived", as if you owe him something. Then an attractive lady walks by him, he instantly begins to "check her out". He moves from head to breast to buttocks, then repeats as necessary to ensure that he has "gotten the full view". As she notices him looking, he smiles and turns away. Why?
How?, is explained by our sin nature due to the fall, but why?, cuts to the heart of our Christianity. We Christians (more accurately translated, church goers) love to play the little game of public opinion. As long as people think we are nice, good, happy (insert whatever adjective you wish) we are content. We no longer focus on the heart, the inside, the soul. Character is no longer important it is what people see that we hold in high esteem.
We have become a church of sell-outs, fakes, imposters, and liars. We mock the truth of God with our lives, in 2 ways.
- We mock the truth in the imitation Christianity we profess
- We mock the truth in the pseudo-regeneration in our hearts we proclaim as genuine
Doctrine is now proclaimed as un-important and relative at best.
Conversion is now professed as a non-binding personal choice with no exterior implications.
Witness is now perverted into being a "good" person and doing good things to curry God's favor.
It is no wonder the church is in decline.
1 comment:
i think the world has more than enough options if they want to join a social club. so, if we have nothing, as the Church, that is new to offer them, what is to draw them?
i think back to Paul's words of preaching Christ and Him crucified. this is to say that he preached Christ ALONE. no fancy words to appeal to the masses. no contrived, clever clichés to draw people in. if he did (or if we did), people would not be drawn by God but by the devices of man. we CANNOT come to the Father but by the Son--not by clever sayings and "good preaching."
i'd better stop before i write a whole post for a comment. but i am more than with you on this one, Corey.
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