"How Today's Church Becomes More Relevant - FamilyVision Column" by Dr. Daryl D. Green
Victor LoMan has a problem. Well, in all honesty, LoMan has many issues. He's angry, addicted, and in downright bad shape. He knows he needs help but doesn't ask. With 100 churches within a five mile radius of him, many wonder why he doesn't get help. One day a new preacher arrives in town and wants to evangelize everyone. As fate would have it, he discovers LoMan's plight. Immediately, he is compelled to rescue LoMan from his lowly state. As the young minister arms himself with his Bible and a-prepared script, a teenager stops him. The youngster states, "Please don't preach to Mr. Victor; the church has already done enough." The young minister is startled. Victor LoMan is a former pastor. Unfortunately, "Church Folks" contributed to Victor's downfall. The young minister is silent.
The Negative Rap
Why has the church gotten such a negative rap? We see religious leaders portrayed as "on the take" hustlers in the media. They are openly chastised for living a hypocritical lifestyle. Why is America so negative against Christian people? This is an issue I have often pondered in my heart. If a world has no social standards, the people will morally dead.
Well, my twenty-something son approached me with a question I found quite relevant to this discussion. He wanted to know what to tell his friends who don't attend church. He said his friends claim they don't attend because churches are full of hypocrites. Well, I paused. I thought. I then began to explain that churches are full of people, good and bad. It seemed to calm his concern but raised my own.
The Church's Critics
Let's talk about this matter on several dimensions. First, let's address the church critics. If you have a big family, there can be a lot of drama when you have those many personalities dealing with each other on a daily basis. Likewise, the church can be viewed as a spiritual family that contains many brothers and sisters who don't always get along.
People often don't live up to social standards. The church people are no different. For example, Christians should love others. Yes, the Bible says we should love each
other. However, love requires a level of maturity. Sometimes it's hard to love people who are different. When individuals in the church, don't love different people, this can appear hypocritical. Therefore, members need to guard against this behavior.
First, many organizations have members who do not behave in accordance with the organization's mission. Therefore, you can have people, living a life contrary to the organization's wishes. Likewise, the church has a number of self-righteous people. This is not the desire of the church. It is an individual choice. Therefore, no church is going to be perfect. By stating that "all Christians" are hypocrites is an inaccurate statement. In making this statement, I would encourage this individual to re-think his or her premise on "church hypocrites" as it relates to all Christians.
Secondly, I find many critics don't like Christian standards because it challenges their moral character. The Bible provides a measuring stick for a person's life. Clearly, there are rights and wrongs. In an age of postmodern culture, many people would prefer an "anything goes" society. Overall, the Christian experience is a personal one. Each person is called to closely take a personal examination of one's self against a finite truth. In taking this journey to self enlightenment, a person's action may run counter to his or her personal beliefs. This creates a source of personal guilt.
The Church Folks
Finally, the challenge must go to the Christian community. Are we setting the proper example in our communities? Indeed, this is a rhetorical question but needs each person to look at themselves in the mirror. What do you see? Why then are so many religious institutions failing to do their spiritual job? George Barna, a leading expert in Christian trend analysis, argues that churches are committing billions to religious outreach programs without much success.
Barna argues that this church mentality must change. When analyzing the state of most churches in general, several questions need to be asked. Let's start at the top of the organizational pyramid. Are leaders guiding their congregations correctly? I have sat in my share of church meetings and seen heated discussions. All families have some disagreements, but fighting takes the focus off the Christian mission. However, churches must ask themselves if they are fighting the right issues.
Some church members will claim that their church is loving and has no disagreements at all. You know your church; however, you may have been omitted from your church "fight" meetings. Many leaders don't want followers' input because making decisions become more difficult. It is easier to make decisions with fewer voices. (Of course, no leader will admit that.)
Spiritual leaders often ignore cultural influences in their congregation. They don't want to discuss why little Jim is drunk at church or why their choir members are getting pregnant. Although we find many hostile to the thought of organized religion, there is a growing desire by many for spirituality. Yes, there is growing interest in non-traditional religions; however, people are searching for God on their own terms.
Barna again argues that a new spiritual revolution is gaining momentum. Local churches are on the way out. By 2025, only one-third of the current population will be members of a local church. In spite of this rebellion against religion, most people espouse some spirituality in their lives. Strangely enough, Pascarella, author of Christ Centered Leadership, explains that the moral decline has also prompted people to view religion as the only way out. Many people try many other options but are often left unfulfilled.
The Testamony
Finally, everyone knows that organized religion has issues. Clearly, it is evident in our communities. Religious leaders shouldn't hide from their churches' shortcomings. Some people suggest that churches need to update their thinking. Clearly, it is in the best interest of their critics to do so. Churches, however, are called by a higher mandate than personal preference. Therefore, members need to be take an active part in the church and don't expect the leaders to do it all. Everyone has an important part. The world is watching. Church get ready.
