People live in a world that is quite different from the world just 20 years ago. Things are rapidly changing. Our society is feeling the pain of an increase in immorality, dysfunctional relationships, and spiritual bankruptcy. People are ravaged with insatiable appetites for money, sex, and power. Can the Church do something about this?
Consider America’s current state of affairs:
America is one of the leading nations on the planet in marital breakup. One out of every two marriages end in divorce. Some would say that Christian marriages have a better chance at surviving; actually that’s not true. According to Barna Research Group, “the divorce rate among Christians is no different than that of non-Christians.”
The definition of family is blurred. Once considered sacred, families have been relegated to a blend of options and lifestyles. How will this affect our children, our future generation?
Millions of children are aborted each year. “The United States has one of the highest abortion rates in the developed world, with women from every socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, religious and age-group obtaining abortions,” says Lawrence Finer, associate director for domestic research at the Guttmacher Institute.
Suicide now outnumbers homicide deaths by five to three (National Institute of Mental Health). “Suicides among young people nationwide have increased dramatically in recent years. Each year in the U.S. thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24 year olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14 year olds” according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Drugs, alcohol, and violence have invaded our schools…communities…and families. Every day in America, 13 young people ages 19 and under are killed in gun homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings (www.handguncontrol.org).
According to Laura Sullivan of National Public Radio, “Violent crime across the nation is up. For the first time since 2001, there are more murders, rapes and assaults, according to the FBI.”
The Crime clock ( http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/AGP.Net/Components/documentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=33522 ) keeps on ticking. One violent crime every 6 seconds, one murder every 32 minutes, one rape every 2 minutes, one robbery every 49 seconds, and one burglary every 10 seconds.
The school dropout rate is hurting people and America. “Every year, across the United States, a dangerously high percentage of students—mostly poor and minority—disappear from the educational pipeline before graduating from high school…The implications of these high dropout rates are far reaching and devastating for individuals, communities, and the economic vitality of this country (Dropouts in America: Confronting the Graduation Rate Crisis by Gary Orfield).”
What are we going to do?
Students, teachers, parents, and people in general are disillusioned with politics, public education, economics…and the Church. A major gap continues to increase between Church and community. The needs of people in the 21st Century cry out to the Church to find real solutions to real problems.
Church leaders all across America are asking themselves a similar question, “Can my kind of church truly offer real solutions to the kind of real problems people face today?”
Most churches in America are hampered by stifling traditions, outdated programs, and lifeless institutional processes. Perhaps it is time for us to do whatever it takes to breathe “new life” into the hearts of Christians who are the Church. This may require renewal…revival…or reformation!
Renewal - to reopen the valve for creative and innovative juices to flow - impacting traditional ideas.
Revival - to restore life to that which is dying and breathe new life into old ways.
Reformation - to realign and bring relevant change to misaligned concepts and outdated designs.
Renewal, revival, and reformation are “windows of opportunity” that open people’s eyes to spiritual awakening, and “points of entry” down the pathway to transformation. This involves taking risks, embracing change, and soul-searching.
Perhaps now is the time for us to become more focused in our passionate pursuit for God and His purpose for our lives. Not self-oriented, not success-oriented, not church-oriented, but God-oriented. Perhaps we should become more serious about practicing daily “spiritual disciplines” which enrich our marriages, strengthen our families, and cultivate a right relationship with God and man.
Perhaps its time for us to quit using a “marketing” approach in attracting people to church, which is not a vendor of religious services, goods, or special attractions. Special events and lively entertainment may only serve in providing sporadic burst of inspiration and enthusiasm, but they fall short in making true disciples of Jesus Christ. This happens through the transformational power of the Holy Spirit through the avenues of viable “relationships.”
Perhaps we Christians need to abandon our “edifice complex.” Buildings (a testimony of God’s influence in the community) are not bad unless they provide a way for Christians to hide from non-Christians and practice a “subculture” that prevents them from becoming the salt of the earth and ambassadors for Christ. Buildings are a means to an end, not an end in itself. They are not monuments to our man-made egos and acquisition of resources.
The world needs Christ. How will it find Him if Christians go to church and not become the Church? The Church is the biblical community of God’s people who model a Christ-oriented culture in word and deed; a testimony for the world to see and seek.
Perhaps it is time for us to engage in culture-sensitive evangelism that speaks the language of people’s needs today and not religious jargon foreign to our postmodern world. People need to hear and see the language of love, hope and faith that marks the life of a genuine Christian who is part of an authentic Christian community.
The path towards biblical renewal, revival, or reformation will not be found in any slick gimmicks, new fads, microwaveable methods, quick-success books, or man-made formulas. This path is reserved for those who “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” – people with great passion for God and compassion for people.
Perhaps our only hope for change is a simple prayer: “For the sake of our nation, Lord help us determine not to be part of the problem, but part of the solution. And let it begin with me.”
Mike Simon
…………………………….
“God orchestrates personal relationships for divine purposes.”
Latest comments