Every week I receive an e-mail from the Alban Institute and most of the time they are very good but the one yesterday hit me right between the eyes. Like most of the articles there is something of value in them but yesterday’s article was a real reality check.
The article began with the author making a confession back in the 90’s he stated he had been thinking a thought for several years and a board meeting he just blurted it out: (these are my words and not his) the church today can no longer function like the church yesterday and still remain effective. In other words the things which helped the church grow in the past in most cases will not help the church reach new people today.
He went on to say the reason why he believed it was true was for the primary reason the church for the last several centuries was closely connected with society and government and today that is no longer true. The church at one time was the central focus of society. I remember (now I am sounding like my parents) a time when nothing in town was ever scheduled on Sunday or Wednesday night because those nights were respected as church time. But today instead of being a part of the culture the church is more on the fringe of the culture and to some extent counter-culture.
For a long time I have thought his thinking to be correct but longed for it to be incorrect. I wish the church I grew up in still existed but unfortunately the only place it does is in the minds of church people. So I have the tendency to long for the good old days because that is how I was trained to do church. It is what my mentors told me would be effective. For the longest time I would try to work harder, to develop better programs, or complain people were not as dedicated but the reality is the church is just as dedicated and pastors are just as hard working and church people are just as caring and committed as they have been. The reality is the world has changed and the church is no longer seen as being a vital part of the culture.
What can we do? For starters we need to focus on faith and mission not on maintaining an organization. God has called the church into being to do mission. Mission is directed by faith believing the Spirit of God is leading in helping people live better lives by making a God connection. When people are making a connection with God it makes one’s life better. We as the church need to rekindle the passion and purpose God has for us.
I believe this is an exciting time for the church. Because God is going in some new directions and when we go deeper in our faith we will make a more meaningful connection as well as engage in a fruitful ministry.