The Shrinking 40%

I wanted to share a blog I read recently and strike up some conversation. Read it here The Shrinking 40%

In summary, the article addresses a trend in America. The church as we currently do and historically have done it is only attracting roughly a shrinking 40%. While the growing 60% is not interested in the “Come to Us” style of church.
This poses a dilemma for our American churches. We seem to be reaching a significant percentage of culture, but it is a percentage that is diminishing, some say alarmingly quick. While we may be hitting that target, we, as the article suggests, are missing the majority portion of our culture. This portion believes in a God and respects Jesus as a guide on their spiritual journey of self discovery. It seems the church is at a crossroads. We have built a church culture based on attraction, but we are attracting fewer people. Again, this is the argument the article builds.

I just want to lay out some thoughts to start the conversation. First, culturally, what do we value? Because what we value generally determines in what attracts us. Culturally:
1. We value SIGNIFICANCE. We want a meaningful role in a larger story.
2. We value TRUTH. We want someone to shoot straight and not hide from our questions.
3. We value HEALTH. We want it when we see vitality and life in something.
4. We value AUTHENTICITY. We want something real and to see it lived out in a real way.
We may not live these things out fully, but these things draw us to them.
Now, to the church. Rather than bash the American church or start from a premise where we assume the church is failing I think it is good to just as some questions. As the church:
1. Do we value reminding our world we are in the depths of the ultimate story written by the ultimate author? There is no greater mission than playing our part in the summing up of all things with God to make all things new. (Ephesians 1:9-12|Revelation 21:5) Are we showing only in Christ are we truly significant?
2. Do we value preaching truth with clarity and conviction? Or are we just preaching things we know will draw a crowd or interest. Are we really communicating the nature and character of God, as revealed in Jesus, and His kingdom? Or are we just giving good advice which has no power to transform our hearts to obedience? (Romans 10:14-17|Galatians 3:2-3)
3. Do we value making healthy disciples or converts? We should be excited anytime someone publicly receives Christ. But are we spending all out energy and resources on getting people saved? Isn’t that just the first step? Shouldn’t we be just as celebratory about someone overcoming a dark sin or by families restored by Christ? How are we intentionally making healthy disciples or families for that matter? Is our Discipleship at the core of what we do…or is it some other ministry run alongside as some optional “extra-credit” for recent converts? Do we make everything about the Sunday morning experience or some event? Is that the best way to make disciples or converts? Or are we empowering our church to live as resident missionaries in their homes and communities (as the primary function of the church?) (Matthew 28:18-20 | Ephesians 4:11-13)
4. Do we value our Integrity over out Image? In Matthew chapter 15, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus by claiming he is breaking tradition. But Jesus turns it around and in verses 3-5 he reveals that the Pharisees were using religious language to withhold caring for those in need. They wanted to “look” holy to the outside world. How much do we value “looking holy”? On one hand, we work hard to create seamless productions eliminating distraction. We proclaim excellence and quality, but are we genuinely and authentically worshipping? On the other hand, we stay as close to our traditions and denominational ties as we can. We use all sorts of religious language and never really live the meaning of the words we throw around. Is this authentic? Or is it a cover up to keep things safe for our huddled mass (by the way cancer grows in a huddled mass…food for thought) I think we need to value our integrity of worship and life riddled with ups and downs, more than the image we display…the culture can see through our facades.

I am not bashing or cutting on one style or the other. I don’t think the way we are doing church is wrong, perhaps incomplete. I don’t know the answers, butI am just asking tough questions in light of a harsh reality. I do believe the answer for our culture is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I firmly believe our church culture needs to radically rethink how we make disciples. Can we, the church, be authentic, truthful, healthy, and a place to find significance? Now can we do it as a people on a mission? Can we exist, thrive, and be excellent in living out the Gospel, as a people of God who are constantly surrounded by the growing 60%? Wasn’t that the original intention?