Cindy posted this on her blog today–an email sent to a lay leader in her congregation in response to a request for input regarding the future of the church. I think these two paragraphs state the case better than any I’ve read in some time. So here they are:
I think the church-centered christian life (as opposed to a Christ centered christian life) that american protestantism has created in the last few generations is what is killing the church in america. and the new generations see it for what it is- empty activity that does little besides sustain itself for more empty activity. not that nothing good happens in local churches; far from it. but the abiding culture of complacency we’ve allowed to take over so overshadows the true mission of God’s people that we risk losing it all.
we need corporate worship, we need corporate teaching, we need fellowship. But, we also need to get the heck out of the church building and live lives that show we care about somebody in addition to the people we worship with. we must address this corporate addiction to church that we ourselves have created. call it a church intervention, maybe. and if we succeed, the withdrawals will be ugly, angry, and very messy. If we don’t succeed, thousands of local churches just like ours will be gone in 20 years or less. I’m not even sure if that isn’t what should happen.
that is what i think.
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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“Corporate addiction” – I could totally relate to that. It was really hard for me to come off of that addiction at first.
It really is a lot harder to take personal responsibility. There were times when I was like, “It would be so much easier just to go back to corporate Christianity. It’s easier.” But I knew I had to keep following Jesus, and that wasn’t where He was leading me…
thanks so much, Jeff.
sarah- you’re right. it’s much easier to fade into the group without taking personal responsibility. i keep thinking the same thing.