The Marvelous Message

Just a few years ago, studies revealed that less than 40% of people who claim a religious background go to church services. Around 28% claim to attend at least once a week, 8% once a month, and 4% once a year. Whether these statistics are accurate or not, for many churches, there is a steady decline in membership each year. I have often been asked why so many people, especially young adults, leave the church and what can be done to ensure stability. Of course, the solution is not so easily attained. There are many reasons people hardly darken church doors. It is all rooted in one’s perception of the church, ranging from misguided notions that faith equals ignorance to hurt emotions one faced during a time of church conflict. Try to describe your view of the American church in one word. I will list some that I have heard others use: hypocrites, cultish, uninformed, divided etcetera. Now, you will find that many of the people that say such things are only mouthing what they have seen,...

We have our spiritual programs, concerts, and conferences We have mounted our doctrines, promoted our denominations, and pushed our preferences We have booked calendars, busy lives, and countless bibles We have bumper stickers about faith, T-Shirts with scripture, and a mass marketed message of the gospel Yet, there is a steep decline in church attendance, a constant scorn for holy living, and a growing disdain for one's fellow man There is confusion over identity, carelessness over eternity, and an increase of biblical incompetence Perhaps it is because Christians have sought the favor of man above the fullness of the Spirit We have heralded our denominational differences, rather than proclaim the gospel to all who will hear it We mask our fear of complete surrender by hiding in a pew and handing over a tithe We timidly wade the surface of Christ-likeness rather than willingly take the glorious dive We must come ...

         Yesterday was memorable; the rays of the sun, the clear skies, the gentle breeze, and the laughter of Ethan and Elliot as Stephanie and I took them to our “revamped” church playground. It’s enough to put a smile on your face and cause you to offer up a word of thanksgiving to God. Of course, the gift of joy just kept coming when Ethan pulled up two small flowers from the grass and called out to Stephanie, “Here’s mommy!” Her heart melted. My mind wandered. I looked at her overjoyed reaction, and then at her small, wilted prize and thought It is so amazing that as parents no matter how small, tainted, and ordinary a gift from your child is, you would not trade it nor the bright and heartfelt look in their eyes for all the gold in the world. As I pondered on this, my heart began to melt as well (“Melt” is to be viewed here in the most masculine sense possible…like a…a Patty Melt Sandwich.)       ...