FAITH MATTERS

Reform or resurrect

‘Church’ strayed from calling

I was recently appointed the "temporary stated clerk" of the Presbytery of Arkansas. What that means is that I have transitioned from pastoral ministry to the bureaucracy of my denomination. This position fits my personality because I am on the front line to respond with needed advice and resources when a church needs assistance. And it also allows me to critique the structures of "the church" from the inside rather than pointing fingers at what "they" should -- or should not -- be doing.

So here's my opinion: The church -- whether a denomination or a local nondenominational congregation -- struggles to be the body and bride of Christ the church is called to be. And by that, I mean, there is a built-in contrived, artificial, aspect of most churches.

Here are some of the ways I believe churches -- and the "church" -- have strayed from their calling as the body and bride of Christ:

• Worship is over-planned and tends toward entertainment and performance rather than an opportunity for God's people to gather to pray and praise our risen Lord.

• Churches are more and more dependent on professional staff rather than being a fellowship of those who follow Jesus Christ, who are each responsible for contributing the talents with which God has blessed them.

• "Church" is a place to be Sunday, and it isn't an identity that followers of Jesus Christ claim.

• Everything associated with "church" is expensive -- from a building, to paying staff, to funding programs and worship -- which means "the church" must cater to (i.e. not offend) "donors" on whom the church is dependent financially.

• Older generations have a stronger commitment to the church, and younger congregants do not match the giving levels of previous generations, even if they are more financially blessed.

• Churches are more concerned about numbers -- members and money -- than about what Jesus Christ taught: humility, serving others, feeding sheep, healing and sharing the news that God's kingdom is totally different from (and opposed to) the values of the world.

• The church has lost its ability to critique society and government in line with the voice of Jesus Christ.

I am not alone in my assessment of the church. The emergence of "the nones" in the United States mirrors what has been going on in Europe for decades. The "nones" -- a growing percent of the population -- are those who describe themselves as "none of the above," when asked to designate their religious affiliations. There are various theories as to why this is happening, from Phyllis Tickle's theory of 500-year cycles of transformation, to the movement toward scientific explanations of the world and away from religion, to trends toward individualism as opposed to community.

I would pose an additional explanation: The church has lost its relevance because it is an institutionalized bureaucracy which no longer challenges Christians to turn toward a way of being that is distinctly different -- and transformative -- than the culture in which they find themselves.

The church today mirrors the materialistic and individualistic values of the culture -- and Jesus consistently confronted both the religious and political establishments of his day. Jesus warned the things of this world -- even family, but especially money -- can distract one from following Christ's call. Jesus aligned himself with the outcasts; those who were considered sinners; the impoverished; the ill, both physically and mentally; and those outside the group, including women and those who the religion of the day excluded.

Many within Christianity believe the church needs a reformation in line with the Reformation of the 1500s: When Catholicism had become so overwhelmed with the bureaucracy, materialism and corruption of its day, those who were brave enough challenged the church and created something new.

I believe the church needs a resurrection -- as Christ died and was raised to a new way of being aligned with God's will that could not die. I will be the first to admit this new way of being would not be easy for most Americans. It would not be easy for me because I, personally, am totally enmeshed with cultural values. The early church appealed primarily to those with little to lose, encouraging sharing of resources. Most Americans have much to lose, and although we teach kindergarteners to share, we adults are not that good at it.

Can the church live without dying?

NAN Religion on 08/19/2017

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