The Future of American Religion | Via Meadia

The Future of American Religion | Via Meadia:

I have seen a lot of the same articles.  Not that they are the exact same but their message is the same.  While I agree that the culture has changed. I think that the basis is still the same. People are looking for a genuine relationship with not only a community but also with God. I think that we need to get back to a wholistic approach to be Christians. That we realize that every part of our life has to do with our Christian journey. So while the "old ways" are not going to look the same. I think that we can learn a great deal about them so that while we are cutting off the fat from the meat, we are not throwing away a lot of the good meat along with it.

I mean if we continue to talk about how we are shrinking and the church needs to change or it will die.  Then we begin to grasp for anything that draws people.  However, more often than not, these messages display that we are not being faithful and placing our trust in the promise of Jesus Christ and the Gospel that Christ brings for all here on Earth.  For me, I am a Lutheran, I am proud of that heritage and proud to be part of that legacy. Yet part of living in that heritage means that we are people who meet people where they are, to come out of our comfort zone and into the reality that is sin, suffering, and death. To tell people about the gift of grace and forgiveness that is given to them, not through their own work but by the work of Jesus Christ.  Why not talk instead about the resurrection of the church and how we are being called to live in that?

How does that work?  What does that look like? I think that it all starts with conversations and gathering together.  I am not going to give you a model to work with because the devil lies within the details, along with that, each community is unique and has different callings.  I want to leave room for the Holy Spirit and allow God to be active within the church and community but for us to realize that it is going on.  For us to do that, we must first meet people where they are and not bring them to our place.