Last month, Barna Group Research published a list of megathemes in American Christianity in 2010. If you haven’t seen them, let me summarize them here:
- The church is losing theological literacy. This includes knowledge of the Bible and knowledge of general Christian (and non-Christian) theology.
- Churches are focusing their attention inward, not outward. Wish I could say that that is a surprise, but I think that’s been a “megatrend” for a long, long time. Even the “seeker friendly” churches quickly become “member friendly” churches.
- People are less interested in spiritual principles and more interested in practical solutions. I’d guess that’s more true in America than other places because that describes a general trend in our culture. Pragmatism is king.
- Interest in community action is on the rise. I’ll admit that I like this and hate it at the same time. I’m glad it’s happening, I just wish we wouldn’t neglect other things along the way.
- Postmodernism’s “tolerance” is beginning to become a popular theme within the church. Fear of being seen as judgmental leads us to not want to condemn anything. Waning trust in absolute truth leaves Christians willing to accept anything in the name of keeping the peace.
- The church has little to no influence on people’s lives and the culture around us. I heard of one pastor in Houston who worked for decades at a large church. He commented late in life that his greatest frustration was the lack of change in the community around his church. The church grew, but it’s influence didn’t.
From my vantage point, I think this research is spot on. I’d like to hear your thoughts and reflections.
One thing I think confronts the church today that keeps it from being an influence in today’s society is that it is exclusive and not inclusive. Especially churches with doctrinal statements about divorce, about homosexuality, baptism, communion,
tithing, just to name a few. I was barred from the deacon board at one church for being divorced. Not very inclusive. Since about 60 percent of all marriages end in divorce in this country it seems the more exclusive we are the more isolated we become. The church of today when they associate themselves politically, isolate half the country from the start. Leaning toward the principles of the past include, Slavery, discrimination, not only of blacks, but of Irish, Polish, Italian, Gypsies, Jews and Catholics, economic division thru poverty, lack of public education.
Monopolies of corporations, isolation of religion of Catholics and Jews, woman’s sufferage.
As long as you’re male, white, Protestant, educated, businessowner, America looks pretty good looking back to the good ole days…. If this described you in the day, you would want a return to yesteryear.
I for one would not want to return from which I came.
Tim,
Riding on the heels of your “i don’t see this in scripture” comments about political power–i wanna pick on #2 a little. It seems to me that the early church was by and large inwardly focused. The outward focus was the work of designated individuals like Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, etc. But it seems that the average members were instructed to be focused on “one another” issues. Acts 2 emphasizes the relationship of converts to each other. The benevolence project spoken of throughout scripture was for a sister church. Paul, it seems to me, had much more to say about how the recipients of his letters got along with each other than any work they were supposed to be doing with non-believers. It seems like most of the evangelistic efforts came from the “top.”
(And practically speaking, if there’s nothing all that great about our “inward-ness,” then why would anyone outside by inclined to join?)
Is #2 really so bad?
–guy
I agree with those pretty well. I think a trio of trends is pushing our inward focus: (1) The “no talking” rule in public society… their is implied a rule that you should not push people’s comfort on matters of faith (although religous people are the only ones abiding by the rule), (2) We have a country club model for the church… a social club; or maybe more accurate a “shop” model where the aim is to increase our profit (membership) by increasing the services we extend to our members (consumers) and trying to lure people from other shops, and (3) We see “conversions of individuals” and getting myself into heaven as the only aim of the church… the loss of a community perspective robs us of interested in building a “kingdom” of God.
Hope your family is going well and that “Grease” is a local hit in Abilene.
Danny
It is really weird sometimes how differently we all see one another as “the church.” Then sometimes it is weird how “the church” sees us as individuals. I see “the church” becoming less and less of a herd mentality and more more of a God/Spirit/Christ in me one. I’m not so sure that is so bad. Oh I know it makes it harder to count them and collect money from them and to tell who is and isn’t worshiping God correctly on Sunday. This has to depress “the church” mentality. Yes I am tired of despising fellow Christ followers who are in “the wrong church” and yes I desire for them to aid me in my daily struggles as I seek to help them and focus on their daily needs and to help them bear their burdens which fulfills the Law Of Christ. Gal 6:2
I see an out pouring for the poor and needy in our communities and the giving of aide to them and accepting them as equals in Christ. I see a kindness and a love for the homeless and those in need without a concern for repayment. I think I see Jesus or is that Mother Theresa? Will we really be Judged as the scriptures reveal?
The Sheep and the Goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matt 25
Grace and peace Clayton
I’m reading a book by Michael Youssef, one point he makes is that the notion of God has become watered down to appease any religion. God can be Allah, the Mother Earth or simply a higher power. Americans, at least a majority, allow In God We Trust to be on our currancy, but would never allow In Jesus We Trust because Jesus is specific to Christianity. How watered down does the church allow the name of God to be? (Please excuse typos, etc I’m on my phone!)
I think #1 and #5 are most detrimental to the Church. My generation (X) and the generation that follows (Y) are easily the most biblically illiterate. Yet so many in your generation (Tim) are always asking “what do we do to keep them in church?” The questions I ask within the generation(s) in question are: what exactly do you do with a people who don’t read their Bibles? And why do we want to take suggestions from those who don’t read or know simple and basic doctrine? I admit that I could be sweeping too much of a broad broom here; but from going off of Barna’s findings, my intent is to be vocal about my own generation’s shortcomings here.
The tolerance issue (and postmodernism) is also a problem on a couple levels.
1) The sanctification issue. We tolerate sin far too much in our churches because we don’t want to offend anybody (or hold to any absolute truth taught in the Scriptures).
2) Tolerance of false teaching in our churches.
Jesus certainly hated tolerance of both and was very intolerant of them. If we consider what Jesus told the churches in Revelation, who in America would accept such a thing today? Jesus would be brought up on hate crimes charges and labeled a bigot, a racist, and all the other. (calling the places where Jews who deny Him worship “synagogues of Satan,” and where idols are erected “where Satan lives,” etc.)
He also did not tolerate false teachers. In 2:20 He specifically says that the church in Thyatira is too tolerant for accepting Jezebel into their midst.
Tolerance has become an American idol that has been brought into the church. Yes we love sinners, yes we love the outcast, yes we do all these things that is summed up by the two commands to Love God with all that you are and love your neighbor. But there is a line to tolerance that is completely unacceptable to The Holy God; so much so that he kills, sends into exile, and will ultimately punish in torment (Jesus’ words) for. Paul warns of the same consequence to those who behave as they wish. I see very little tolerance in the Scriptures in regards to the “couple levels” I mention above. I think the church’s tolerance shows how Matthew 23:15 could be directed at the church in America today for these reasons as well.
May God have mercy on us –
Jr
Tim, what do you suppose would be the snap shoot, or the bullet points on the North American Christian movement 50 years ago? 1961?
1. Racism prevades the Christian church. A number of “Christians” participated in a recent lynching in South Carolina (actually happened), and vowed that the KKK was founded on Biblical principles.
2. Christian colleges are staunch on their segragation policies, “after all there are Black schools for them to attend.”
3. Despite the growing number of studies against smoking, a majority of Christian men smoke at least two packs a week.
4. In the churches of Christ, large numbers of churches are taking a stand against orphan homes. Outsiders see it as a power play, though long public debates defend the split on doctrinal reasons.
5. Spousal abuse remains a closet topic among Christians. A new study, however, indicates that beating a wife falls within the range bringing her into subjection as dictated in Ephesians 5.
Tim, what would you add?
Steve, that’s a very interesting comment. I may even explore that a bit in the blog.
Tim, please do. I think we look at the 2011 snapshot, the bullet points and think how bad things are going to get. Things may very well do south, but the same case could be made with a similar snapshot look at the church 50 years ago.