What needs to change
Friday, November 24, 2006 at 2:05AM This post is from the defunct blog "Dying Church"
Connor Carney comments on my latest column at Christian Week:
I know exactly 2 people my age who go to church on any kind of regular basis. Most of the rest would never set foot in a church -- and it's not because the church places too many demands on them.
The church, in fact, either makes no demands at all on people, or makes only demands related to supporting the church. These aren't the kinds of demands that make an organization worth joining. As much as modern Christian leaders like to talk about making the church more "relevant" to the culture, they're usually just talking about modern music or casual dress or new technology.
But no music, dress code, or technology will make the church relevant. The church is relevant if and only if it changes lives. And, frankly, the church is not changing very many lives. Church members come to church, are entertained by well-produced music and smooth speeches, and then go home and live their lives in pretty much the same way they did before. If the church is going to survive through my generation, that is what needs to change.
Reader Comments (1)
Reading your article, I can't help to say that you're right. Over the past few months I have been challenged at the church I go to. We are currently going through the book of James. I encourage you to take a look at the following website: www.cornerstonesimi.com. There are two messages I want you to listen to or watch: Why people hate church? - Francis Chan -11/26/06 & Luke Warm and Loving It - Francis Chan - 10/1/06. There is a tab, (quick Link Sermon) where you can either view the sermon or listen to it. Thanks, Viktor