In my
last entry I detailed some of the responses to the question that I posed on my
facebook page. I asked why many of my friends no longer attend church.
Generally the responses centered on perceived judgmental attitudes from others.
Today I wanted to share some more of the responses. Some, seem to have given up
on traditional ways of doing church altogether and are calling for alternative
methods. Consider this response:
“I hear
from many that Christians are judgmental and push their ideas of biblical teaching
rather than allow others to come to their own conclusions. They also feel and I
have felt this myself that asking a question out of doubt they are given and
answer to which they must believe and not continue to ponder for themselves.
People going to church are robotic at times. It's a must do on Sundays who
dares question? My biggest fault with the church is the lack of true concern
for the suffering. I do believe that we should care for those within our walls
but what about those outside? The church waits for them to come but what about
going to them. What if your Sunday mornings were worshiping by collectively
feeding the hungry in the community or visiting the prisons, nursing homes and
homes of those home bound. What if it means going to the projects and playing
ball with the local youth and just making a loving connection. Jesus himself
hung out with the sinners, which btw are us as well. I'm afraid churches have
long ago become a club to which nice dressed people belong. What about the not
so nice dressed, or the person next to you alone and dying inside. The truth is
people want church to be pretty, simple, nicely done so we can go about our
daily lives and week. What if the definition of church was examined and
redefined? I wonder then what are results would be to reach others. Clearly a
lot has not worked as church numbers everywhere continue to drop...”
The observation that Church
attendance is down in America is confirmed by research. But as one study
suggest; “the news is not all hopeless.
There are growing and spiritually healthy churches. A report by Faith
Communities Today called “Facts on Growth: 2010” found that if congregations can change, they can grow.
Congregations that are spiritually vital and alive, have strong, permanent
leadership, and enjoy joyful, innovative and inspirational worship are more
likely to experience growth.” The key then would seem to be that churches must
be willing to change. And many are seeking to lead that change as a couple of
the responses indicate.
“My
wife and I no longer attend an institutional church because the pastor
essentially cut us off when our small group discovered the beautiful message of
grace. A year and a half later, our small group is thriving and growing and we
finally are experiencing the abundant life and community that Jesus came to
give! Jesus plus nothing indeed is everything”
“We
have gathered with a small group we call Simple Gathering going on 5 years now.
Wonderful family time around the Lord's supper ( literally a full meal).
Sometimes songs, not always, sometimes teaching video's, again NO formal
agenda. We love God's presence, we love sharing, we love that EVERYONE can
share. And here is the deal: most of us are over 50 and have been Christians
for 30-40 years. We have a wealth of experience, wisdom, knowledge and (believe
it or not) child likeness. Our friends are a rich, rich resource.”
So many are experiencing new
ways of doing church and finding satisfaction with new methods. But churches,
like all institutions, are resistant to change. Increasingly, however, it is
becoming clear that strategic changes are needed in order to more effectively
engage the culture with the message of the gospel. As one response indicates.
“It is
in our efforts for change, our need for wanting peace that counts. It may not
be in a religious establishment but if we can help influence those who are in
charge of those establishments then so much the better. IT will be a mix of
people and those who are in a church. A church who is aware and want CHANGE. It
will also be outside the box and God will touch those necessary for any
refinement and any chance for anyone to have to know they have the decision in
all things. We have to support each other any strive for the best of all.”
And perhaps some just need to
change their attitude towards church as one my friends observed:
“I go
to Mass every Sunday but often go to different churches in the parish to
coordinate with my work schedule. (I work Sundays and either have to go super
early or late.) I haven't established any friendships at the churches. I know
some people there but I don't feel like I'm there to socialize. Some people get
fussy when you sit in their spot. Some people make a lot of noise and have a
rowdy family. Some priests do things a little differently in each church, or
have slightly different customs. Some people are TOO friendly and some want you
to leave. I have to say, this goes on no matter where you go. People will be
people whether they are in church, the grocery store, the street, in their
homes, anywhere. People will judge fellow parishioners, their friends, their
idols, their families, their dogs, and themselves. It's sad to think that fear
of being treated a certain way is what keeps people from church. Because these
same people are in your lives doing everything else you do, yet you don't fear
going to buy cereal when there will be someone on aisle 2 who won't like what
you're wearing today. If you don't fear buying cereal with judgmental people,
why fear going to church to spend time with God, the only person who loves you
entirely for who you are?”
And for some the logistics of
getting to church may just be overwhelming:
“I
love God but honestly it's difficult getting 3 kids and myself ready for
church. Then "kids will be kids" even in church. Unfortunately, some
churches don’t have a baby sitter. For me, it's easier to watch church service
on TV & read my bible at home. If the church had some kind of program for
kids during worship hours then I would feel better about attending.”
All things considered, it is
clear that the church can do a better job in many areas including being better
examples of what it means to be a Christian outside of the church building.
Consider the negative impression church attendees left on this young lady:
“When
I was a single mother of a baby, I had to work on Sundays as a waitress. The
Sunday crowd came in and it was hell. They barely tipped, they were rude,
demanding, messy, and never offered a smile. I had already known Jesus and if I
hadn't, I can't say I would be eager to get to know these obnoxious people. P.S. I never saw any of them praying over their meals!”
Clearly for those of us who
serve as leaders of Christian churches, the task is challenging. We are called
to address the hurting and the angry. Many in our society are just broken and
angry, and in need of love and the life changing message of the gospel. Just like one young man who confessed:
“I
just got angry...mainly due to my failed marriage. Angry at God, angry at
church, just angry...I have my demons to wrestle with, so to speak...”
If as the church we do not
respond to the changing needs of our culture, then we are in danger of becoming
irrelevant. And perhaps fulfilling the observation made in this response:
“Classical
theism seems unsustainable given critical analysis. Given this, in my opinion,
it is pointless to attend an institution that propagates the ideology.”
May Christ help us to revive the
only institution He left us: His Church. “…I will build my Church and the gates
of Hell shall not prevail against it.” –Jesus in Matthew 16:18
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