Have appreciated you posts in this new year. You have raised some good points in your writing.
I don't disagree with this most recent post and make the assumption you are speaking broadly about the CHURCH in the US. Still, the brush stroke is so broad to lump a lot of churches together who reject the notion of Christian Nationalism and are striving to be faithful to the gospel.
Now, you do say just that, but that one sentence seems lost in the larger context of an ineffective CHURCH.
YOu speak of the church needing to change to become more relevant. Agree. Still, many churches have been struggling to do just that. And in that struggle, they come against a population that resists change. A population that wants their religion to be entertaining. I don't want to put all the blame on the CHURCH when so many are looking for such a different experience.
You speak of the glory days, and I must admit I long for what I remember as the glory days. Not a time when going to church was expected, but when church was more at the center of a community. When relationships and being actively involved were valued. When people had more time (or made the time) to be present at church.
Our culture has changed. More demands on people - from jobs that work 7 days a week, to all types of activities and choices that people have 7 days a week. Add to that a cultural shift of people just staying home and having their entertainment, food, shopping and even their churche delivered to their home.
The church needs to change. Needs to work at creating a vibrant welcoming community. I am glad that I am a part of a small church working at just that.
Jeffrey, lots of great points. Thanks! I am speaking broadly of "the church." I think parts of this universal church are better left to die off, including the parts that have fallen to Christian Nationalism. I also see a lot of mainstream and progressive Christianity as more concerned about saving the institution than following Jesus. I think those parts need to change or fade away as well. And, you're right, there are lots of churches that are trying to be faithful and make a real difference in the world. I love my church. It is relevant and vital for the people in the church. We're there doing our best. But in some ways it feels like we are not very good at making a difference in the wider world. Or maybe I'm just impatient. Maybe there are ways that these "trying" churches need to change too to be better at living out our desire for love and justice. I'm not completely sure what those changes need to be, but I think building strong relationships and community, as you suggest, is certainly part of it. That should be one of our primary goals as human beings (and not the pursuit of wealth and power as our culture teaches). How can the church help shift culture in that more spiritually healthy direction? And does it require that churches change, even those that "get it"? We're trying, but maybe we're stuck in old structures that won't work in the world as it is. I don't know... I don't feel like I have many answers, but I think these are important questions. Thanks for the conversation about it.
Ken,
Have appreciated you posts in this new year. You have raised some good points in your writing.
I don't disagree with this most recent post and make the assumption you are speaking broadly about the CHURCH in the US. Still, the brush stroke is so broad to lump a lot of churches together who reject the notion of Christian Nationalism and are striving to be faithful to the gospel.
Now, you do say just that, but that one sentence seems lost in the larger context of an ineffective CHURCH.
YOu speak of the church needing to change to become more relevant. Agree. Still, many churches have been struggling to do just that. And in that struggle, they come against a population that resists change. A population that wants their religion to be entertaining. I don't want to put all the blame on the CHURCH when so many are looking for such a different experience.
You speak of the glory days, and I must admit I long for what I remember as the glory days. Not a time when going to church was expected, but when church was more at the center of a community. When relationships and being actively involved were valued. When people had more time (or made the time) to be present at church.
Our culture has changed. More demands on people - from jobs that work 7 days a week, to all types of activities and choices that people have 7 days a week. Add to that a cultural shift of people just staying home and having their entertainment, food, shopping and even their churche delivered to their home.
The church needs to change. Needs to work at creating a vibrant welcoming community. I am glad that I am a part of a small church working at just that.
Again, thanks for stirring up some thoughts.
blessings
Jeffrey
Jeffrey, lots of great points. Thanks! I am speaking broadly of "the church." I think parts of this universal church are better left to die off, including the parts that have fallen to Christian Nationalism. I also see a lot of mainstream and progressive Christianity as more concerned about saving the institution than following Jesus. I think those parts need to change or fade away as well. And, you're right, there are lots of churches that are trying to be faithful and make a real difference in the world. I love my church. It is relevant and vital for the people in the church. We're there doing our best. But in some ways it feels like we are not very good at making a difference in the wider world. Or maybe I'm just impatient. Maybe there are ways that these "trying" churches need to change too to be better at living out our desire for love and justice. I'm not completely sure what those changes need to be, but I think building strong relationships and community, as you suggest, is certainly part of it. That should be one of our primary goals as human beings (and not the pursuit of wealth and power as our culture teaches). How can the church help shift culture in that more spiritually healthy direction? And does it require that churches change, even those that "get it"? We're trying, but maybe we're stuck in old structures that won't work in the world as it is. I don't know... I don't feel like I have many answers, but I think these are important questions. Thanks for the conversation about it.