The Problem with the Christian Church in America

The primary problem with the Christian church in America today is that too many "Christians" are busy playing church in all of its snobbish, unloving, and apathetic splendor and far too few are diligently seeking the genuine heart of Jesus Christ. In many cases the church has been reduced to nothing more than a meeting place for insincere "country clubbers" who spend their time manipulating scripture in an effort to become a little richer, or more popular, or in other ways, more worldly.

And in churches where the "prosperity gospel" isn't avidly preached, there is nonetheless a profound lack of authenticity among congregation members. People who have been beaten, broken, and thoroughly disillusioned by the trials and tribulations of life can find little comfort or encouragement in such churches. For these as well as various other reasons, an increasing number of people are choosing to walk out their faith in their own way and at their own pace by discontinuing their participation in "organized" church going. In his online article titled, "The Crisis in the Church-the Growing Trend of the Unchurched Christian", Kenn Bacon, director of the Inherent Church and Apostles-Today, offers his view on this issue "For a number of years there has been a slow but undeniable trend appearing where people just don't go to church at all. People are finding that they have a deep relationship with God in their own lives and want to work it out in their own way... They are walking their faith walk at their own pace and they are seriously real about who they are and where they are with their God." Let's now turn to a few of these "postchurched/unchurched" Christians and find out what drove them away from organized religion.

In an August, 2006 online article titled, "Unchurched/Postchurched Christians", Bonnique comments on this issue, "What the organized church needs to learn is to speak God's truth instead of man's; but that will never happen. Therefore the sheep stand confident even when persecuted for following only God and Christ's doctrine; their denomination being the Holy Bible." In this same article, Josh, also a postchurched Christian, brings up an interesting, albeit unfortunate, point as well, "Yeah, I think it has to do with our inability to fit in... If they can attack and minimize us, then they can justify continuing with the norm." It would appear that the Christian church in America has, in general, turned its back on many of the issues that Christ and the early church felt were of supreme importance.

Matters such as reaching the lost, especially right where we live, and embodying love and encouragement to hurting people in a manner that is consistent with the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ are no longer viewed in the "high priority" manner that they once were except in relatively rare cases. Postchurched, Fajita explains, "All I know is that something seems to be very wrong. There seems to be this thing about everything being nice and easy and comfy... What lacks in churches is a culture of mission. The culture of comfort seems to edge out the culture of mission. I'm not saying be intentionally uncomfortable for no reason. What I'm calling myself to is a level of discomfort for a reason. But this is very tough within a culture of comfort." Donna, another proponent for the postchurched agrees, "There is always somebody else waiting to come to the 'country club' type of church... (You know, we have food, day-care, a gym, a state of the art kitchen, etc.) so as Josh says, they hardly miss the ones that slip away.

"What they should learn is that real disciples are looking for ways to serve and not to be served... or am I wrong?" Dan, a self-proclaimed postchurched Christian, writes his answer to Donna's question in a succinct and thought provoking manner in stating, "The people disillusioned with the church are true disciples seeking to make a difference in the world, not in the church. Finding ways to serve, not to be served." Kenn Bacon seems to agree with Dan in stating, "There is an inherent part of them (postchurched Christians) that is displayed to all. An inherent Christian... something intrinsically different. You can tell they are a believer by what they say and do, not just on Sundays but every day of their lives." Clearly the organized Christian church in America has increasingly become more of a "showplace" as opposed to a "workplace" where truly positive, lasting changes are implemented and developed in the lives of the oppressed and rejected regardless of the level of discomfort experienced by members of the staff or congregation. But why, exactly, is this happening among those who call themselves "Christians"? Isn't this type of behavior much more typical of the "worldly" among us?

Obviously the society in which we live with all of its emphasis on the acquisition of extravagant "creature comforts" and, consequently, the wealth necessary to enjoy them plays a huge role in this church dilemma. But the affluence that we commonly see around us is merely a "symptom" of a much deeper issue; one that is directly associated with the proclivities of human nature.

The heart of unregenerate man is characterized primarily by attributes such as greed, selfishness, pride, envy, vengeance, callousness, and apathy. Inherent to the "natural" man is a quest for pleasure in its many forms, often with little or no regard for the potential consequences involved. Jeremiah 17:9, is a scripture verse that speaks boldly to this truth, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; Who can know it?" The core tenets of Christianity as described by the Lord Himself, however, stand in direct opposition to the tendencies of human nature.

Ideals such as putting others before yourself, turning the other cheek, being humble, grateful, kind, and loving to all people without compromising truth are completely foreign to those whose spirits haven't been "quickened" by the spirit of God. These principles cannot even be remotely adhered to on a consistent and long term basis by the vast majority of people without the supernatural assistance of the Holy Spirit. They're simply too alien to the heart of the "natural" or unspiritual man.

As I ponder this situation, I realize that there are a tremendous number of people who regularly attend church but whose spirits simply have not been "quickened" or aroused from their slumber. In John 3:3, Jesus, in speaking to Nicodemus said, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." I contend that it is the "born again" experience that ushers in a whole new way of looking at life. It compels one to seek the things of God; to love what God loves and to hate what God hates. This is the initial starting point to gaining the power and conviction necessary to turn away from the things of the world and toward the things of God. Church attendance is a grand exercise in futility if one hasn't first been born again. It is merely a social club site with a cross and stained glass windows, nothing more.

I've personally attended a number of churches and I can honestly say without reservation that some of the meanest, most judgmental, unloving, unethical, legalistic, and spiritually "bankrupt" people I've ever met were regulars at those same churches. This unfortunate discovery begged a question in my mind; "What are these people even doing here?" Either the preaching is misguided and or lacks the divine influence of the Holy Spirit or many in the congregation have shut their ears, minds, and hearts to the message because it interferes with their carnal, worldly ways. And I'm far from alone in the making of these observations. What a sad commentary this is, of the overall state of the Christian church in America. Such is the way of the unregenerate heart. How, then, can this situation be rectified?

Well, considering that the problem lies squarely in the heart of man, it follows that the solution must, of necessity, target that heart. I don't believe that anything short of a full scale revival complete with true, contrite, heartfelt repentence via the born again experience all across "Christendom" will suffice. This situation demands a "complete overhaul" and a radical re-prioritizing of the values held by those who refer to themselves as "Christians" regardless of sect or denomination. And it needs to start in the pulpits.

Preachers need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and truly get honest with themselves. It's time for them to ask themselves some tough questions such as, "Is, what I'm about to preach, truly God's message or am I just manipulating scripture in a way that allows me to put God's "stamp of approval" on what is really MY message?

In my opinion, the so called "prosperity gospel" has done more to drive people away from the true heart and mind of Christ than any other single topic preached from the pulpits of our nation's churches. It strongly tends to instill the idea that God can be recruited like some mindless "celestial Santa Claus" in order assist us in the acquisition of material wealth. That message is simply not consistent with the overall gist of New Testament doctrine. I Timothy 6:9 clearly states, "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." Granted, the Bible does encourage us to be prosperous in all areas of life. But prosperity is one thing, and excessive lavishness is quite another. And when we see ministers of the gospel driving Rolls-Royces, flying around in private Lear jets, and living in multi-million dollar mansions, we're clearly being sent the wrong message. Speaking of worldly riches, the Bible admonishes us in I Timothy 6:11, "But you, O man of God, FLEE THESE THINGS and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." This is a scripture verse that much more accurately characterizes the overall essence of New Testament doctrine. But we don't hear about cultivating these Godly qualities much anymore. I suppose that would be far too radical a departure from the way of the world. However, Christians are called by the Bible to be "in the world but not of the world".

Many of our nation's ministers would do well to put away, what I would to refer to as, the "extravagance gospel", and start preaching true Christian virtues straight out of the Bible. They might also want to consider discontinuing to live like kings. I submit that they opt to live comfortably but modestly without all of the flash and ostentation normally reserved for kings, princes, celebrities, and rock stars. They ought to realize that the way in which they live sends a very powerful message to those who come to hear them preach, and again, excessive material wealth is not very high on the priority list with regard to New Testament doctrine.

In the final analysis, I believe that everyone who is willing to name the name of Christ must also be willing to turn their backs on the things of the world and march headlong toward the things of God. Anyone who has the temerity to call themselves a Christian needs to understand going in, that as a Christian, they are called to tasks they may not want to do, and they are also called to decline activities they may well want to do. In addition to total commitment, this is where assistance such as prayer, Bible study, positive Christian fellowship, and a regular filling of the Holy Spirit is indispensable. It is a lifestyle that simply cannot be adopted successfully without these helps. And to those of us who are prepared to walk the "narrow road", we may well have to remind ourselves many times during each day, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/the-crisis-in-the-church-the-growing-trend-of-the-unchurched-christian-490577.html
http://fajita.wordpress.com/2006/08/27/unchurchedpostchurched-christians/