In times of loss, some organizations and their leaders react with primal instincts, which only hastens their demise.
This self-destructive tendency appears in churches, businesses and political parties. Their leaders contend that the remedy for their decline is an intensification of their old brand distinctives. They react with strident efforts to drive their image toward the extreme, toward the fringes. The tactic rarely works.
These days, as churches and denominations struggle with declines, some of their leaders are pushing toward the fringes. “We need to stand out and stand up,” they cry. They long to double-down on what they think makes them unique among other believers.
Leaders at some fading denominations attempt to stress old denominational distinctives while stoking paranoia about anyone or anything that varies from their kind of old time religion. They banish Christian books, writers and speakers–even (and especially) those from their own tribe who do not fit their ever-tightening definition of doctrinal or sectarian purity.
Leaders of a conservative denominational office cancelled a regional youth conference after learning that the scheduled Christian band sang songs that did not measure up to the denomination’s “doctrinally pure agenda.” Another denomination, a liberal one, shunned Christian bands from its national youth event because the bands seemed too evangelical. So the planners hired a few local secular bar bands to entertain the kids. At least the conference wouldn’t be considered “fundy.”
Demonizing fellow believers leads to further marginalization and decline–and drains churches’ ability to welcome those who need and want to hear the bigger message. And that’s the saddest part of this paranoia. Energies spent on protecting tribal heritage, denominational branding, and pharisaical purity tend to distract from the real focus–a living, loving relationship with the risen Christ.
But Jesus dealt with this problem too. The religious leaders of his time wanted to focus on their dogmas, such as prohibitions against picking grain on the Sabbath. Jesus rose above their theological nitpicking and reset the agenda on what’s most important–a real relationship with him.
Especially in times of numerical decline, we would do well to fixate on what matters most.
Well said! Couldn’t add a word.
Really appreciated your wise word here, Thom!
As we are equipping people to plant house churches, we are taking the same approach. Our sense is that we are to “major on the majors” and “minor on the minors”. And, we have two “majors”. Two things that are most important that we want to focus on. First, is helping people connect with one another on a heart level. Second, helping them connect with Jesus on a heart level. To accomplish this, we teach two “rhythms of attention”. Every house church is founded on these two rhythms.
Here’s a short video interview of one man’s experience of these rhythms… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfN6eMhMbi4
Great article, but what about the ones who write things such as “Jesus exaggerated” or “God did not really mean you will die”, both of these written by a pastor of a very large mainline denomination church.
Are we truly not supposed to defend the Bible and Our Lord and Saviour and allow things like that to be spread as the truth? My Lord NEVER exaggerated, otherwise he would not have been the perfect sacrifice. God never makes says something He does not mean.
Please, do not let legalism get in the way of bringing people to Christ, but we should not ignore the blatant distortion of the truth.
Thanks, Justa. It’s fine to disagree, and to clarify biblical references, and to engage in debate over theological or doctrinal differences. The problem comes when we start shunning and banishing one another for taking a different view, particularly on minutiae.
I wonder what ever happened to Mere Christianity? Why is it so hard to embrace this kind of pragmatic approach to our differences? More and more each day it seems people choose to not even enter the doors of the church as those within these doors spend time arguing with each other who is more orthodox? Sometimes it strikes me as someone frantically rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship. I don’t get it.
Amen!
Readers are leaders! How can there be a discussion if we don’t know what’s at issue?
It’s hard for many people to understand that the truth prevails when a frank and honest discussion is permitted. When we limit the discussion, we don’t get all the facts.
I’ve been accused many times of “teaching” a specific view that may not match that of my accuser. They see a result and think “he is obviously censoring the message” when the opposite is true– we explore and compare– more information is more power!
Yes, excellent article. Here is something that still works, ” love your neighbor” .
If what matters most is a relationship with Jesus (I agree btw) how do you articulate that abstract thought of being a friend to this great person that you can’t see, touch, hear, laugh with, etc…..? It seems like our society (I’m including Christians but mainly those who don’t believe) are cynical, skeptical, and more persuaded by the things only their 5 senses can prove to be true. I’m not even sure I can explain it and I’ve been in church since I came out of the womb.
Perhaps it’s time to move from “the letter” to the Spirit; from tradition to the living, resurrected Jesus Christ who is alive and working in the 21st Century. “This is my be beloved Son, listen to Him.”
Learning to love unconditionally and seeking a living breathing relationship with Christ is. in my opinion, the ultimate goal. The rest of this nonsense is just that . . .nonsense.
Hello,
We seem to be reasonably fortunate in the rural community in which we live; there is a fairly robust ecumenical interplay. We have the Pentecostals ringing us up to come and help out with their musicians for prayer and praise evenings. We are with the Anglican’s and we seem to fill in the gaps here and there. One of our members even led the Prayer of confession during a combined Pentecostal prayer evening. It can be done and done in good spirit. Even the Catholics turn up when an evening of prayer concern is announced. No one seems to mind; in fact they appear to see it as their Christian duty to support other faith members in times of need. Maybe in our rural sector we do not worry to much about candles, incense, Hail Mary, and waving our hands in the air.
Kevin, you share a great example of what Tom is trying to convey here. I pray for something similar here, where there are a few Churches within the miles from each other with low attendance yet we don’t seem to be supporting each other like we should. I don’t loose hope! One day, we will all be worship our Lord, every tribe of every language!