A Methodist pastor friend of mine lost it on Facebook this week. He went after the non-denominational churches questioning whether folks who go there know what the church believes and accusing some of these churches of “sheep stealing.” As one Facebook post said this week “It’s now what you believe, but whom you believe.” What you believe is important, but if you believe the right one that works itself out. Further, they are not our sheep. They are His.
It’s easy enough to understand his frustration. Main line denomination churches have lost folks for years. Lots of reasons have been given. They have become too liberal or too political or not political enough. Some blame the secularization of America. The free love period of the sixties had an impact. Church scandals haven’t helped. Now even some “conservative” denominations are feeling the pinch. The Catholics are feeling a bump aided by a new pope who seems to get it in terms of what people are looking for, but may not get it in terms of theology.
Some churches are doing great. The ones that do often get targeted as being “seeker friendly” or watering down the message. I think that’s mostly the same kind of frustration that my Methodist pastor friend is experiencing. When others are more “successful,” human nature causes us to think they must be cheating instead of looking at what they must be doing right.
I think one writer is on the right track:
“As a long-time Christian, pastor and church planter who has seen church growth trends come and go, I’m not surprised denominational churches are shrinking. That’s not to say all mainline churches are dying, some are growing. However, most I’ve visited are dry and lifeless, losing members, and wondering how their church will survive from one week to the next.
On the other hand, most non-denominational churches (especially charismatic ones) are attracting younger, vibrant crowds who are looking for answers. The religious climate in the United States has changed dramatically over the last few years. The institution of religion has become a symbol of weakness, stagnancy, and lack of knowledge. As a result, many people are moving away from traditional, denominational church settings, and seeking a church not based on religion, but on their relationship and experience with God.
Whether denominational or not, people are looking for the real deal. A faith defined not only by what we can’t do, but by what we can do through the power of prayer and trust in God. And while many continue to debate the relevancy of religion, the fact remains that Christianity is thriving — maybe not in the same way our grandparents experienced it, but real faith in God is still alive and well in the hearts of the majority of Americans.”
I like to think about it this way. There is a subtle but important difference between “give the people what they want” and “give the people what they need.” Success will be only temporary if churches focus on what people want. Jesus is what they have always needed. The churches that forgot that and moved into politics or sociology and those that have moved into glitter and entertainment have all lost their way. Life is tough and there are lots of media sources that are offering “answers.” The internet, Facebook and Twitter are not successful just because they entertain. They also claim to offer help.
As church, we need to offer help: help in understanding what life is about, help in understanding our purpose, help in raising our kids, help in facing our kids leaving and then coming back, help in facing the end of our lives. To do that we really have to have answers. Jesus is the answer. We really have to completely believe that before we can convincingly offer Him as the answer to others. Getting together to do that is what church was for. It needs to be what it’s for again. We can learn a lot about how to get that message across for a media that’s great a messaging. We just need to make sure we stick to the right message.
Why Church? Because it’s the way to find The Way.
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