Why Bother?
It happens every Sunday. I prepare a Sunday school lesson for the preschoolers at my church, I plan for ten, but I may only get two. From Sunday to Sunday the numbers are never the same. My church is not alone, it is a national phenomena. 23 million self proclaimed Christians in America do not have any church affiliation, and of those who do attend church 40-50 percent do so with a loose commitment. (Stafford 2005) Even though there is a lack of commitment to the church in America; the church is still as significant to God today as it was when it was founded.
What was the church founded on? Matthew 16:16 states Peter’s confession “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, (NIV) and that confession is the foundation on which the church is built on. Jesus said in Matthew 16:17-18 “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The church is the people who believe Peter’s confession. To God, that has not changed.
The purpose of the church is to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” And “encourage one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25. The purpose of the church is still the same. If the foundation of the church and the purpose of the church have not changed, why do Christians lack a commitment to the church today?
Generation Yer’s (millennials) are “the first generation raised without God.” (Hill 2011) This generation and the generations to follow have been raised to believe in evolution, and to question God’s existence or relevance. They also have been brought up in a multicultural society, so whatever you want to do or believe is ok, and your belief is no more important than anyone else’s. It is easy to see that the current generation is not going to have many foundational reasons to be committed to the church.
The church is full of sinners, who have hurt others in the church. I have a few friends who have been hurt by the church, and they are not alone. The pain and offense are real. When a person has been hurt by the ones who are supposed to encourage them, the hurt is not easily healed, and the results are a lack of trust and commitment to the church.
American Christians have been brought up to be consumers. They no longer see church as a place to serve, but a place to be served. They shop around for the best church to fit their wants and needs; searching for something that makes them feel good, and costs little for them personally. If the church begins to have any problems, disagreements or costs them more personally, they leave and shop for another church, or quit going to church altogether. (Stafford 2005)
People who go to church statistically “feel a real and personal connection with God”, 68%-78%, depending on the size of the church. (www.barna.org) As a Christian, “You are called to belong, not just believe.” (Warren 2002) Belonging to a group of believers who “spur one another on toward love and good deeds…and encourage one another” Hebrews 10:24-25 brings forth fruit. Fruit requires a commitment and willingness to grow and change. Sometimes the problems in a church are God’s way of making Christians more Christ like. Followers are not above their master; Jesus was unjustly accused, beaten and killed. Jesus was perfect, and loved Peter even though he denied him 3 times. Sometimes God can use the church with its imperfections to make Christians more Christ like. American Christians need to remember who the buyer is, “You were bought at a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV), and what the cost was, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)
The foundation, purpose, buyer and cost of the church have not changed in over 2,000 years. America’s culture and attitudes have changed in the last 40 years. Even though America’s culture and attitudes have changed, the church is still as significant to God today as the day it was founded.
