The Article Archives
Topic: Truth in Culture Weekly Commentaries
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They Love Jesus; They Don't Like the Church
February 18, 2008
S. Michael Craven
 
This appears to be a growing sentiment among many younger Christians in America today. They love Jesus but they want little to do with His Church. It’s not that they don’t like the their local church or even other Christians—it’s that they don’t like how Christianity in America is frequently represented by many professing Evangelicals, which in their minds is often unloving, judgmental, arrogant, and hypocritical.
This assertion finds support in the data revealed in Barna’s most recent research. For example, “four out of five young churchgoers say that Christianity is antihomosexual; half describe it as judgmental, too involved in politics, hypocritical, and confusing; one-third believe their faith is old-fashioned and out of touch with reality; and one-quarter of young Christians believe it is boring and insensitive to others.” (Kinnamon & Lyons, unChristian, Baker Books, 2007, pp.33-34)
Those outside the Church hold increasingly negative views of Christians as well. Among young people (aged 16-29), roughly 49 percent hold an “extraordinarily negative” view of evangelical Christians and only 3 percent have a “good” impression!
Kinnamon and Lyons summarize the problem well by pointing to the comments of one thirty-five year-old believer who says, ‘Christians have become political, judgmental, intolerant, weak, religious, angry, and without balance. Christianity has become a nice Sunday drive. Where is the living God, the Holy Spirit, and amazing Jesus, the love, the compassion, the holiness? This type of life, how I yearn for that.”
Before you react by simply dismissing this criticism as overly simplistic or somehow lacking in credibility, humbly listen to what the next generation is actually saying. Love of Christ, love of one another and humility should compel us to try and understand why so many young people and Christians, in particular, feel the way they do. In my own frequent interactions with younger serious-minded Christians—many of whom invigorate me by their enthusiasm and zeal for Christ—I often find that they are very turned off and even angered by the watered-down, politicized, shallow, culturalized Christianity that has come to dominate American evangelicalism. According to Kinnamon and Lyons, “The Christian life looks so simplified and constricted that a new generation no longer recognizes it as a sophisticated, livable response to a complex word.”
This younger generation of Christians is simply and rightfully frustrated by the fact that this very real condition serves to inhibit their efforts to share the love of Christ with others. In other words, contemporary American Christianity carries with it a lot of negative baggage. So much so that “they feel raising the ‘Christian flag’ would actually undermine their ability to connect with people and maintain credibility with them.” And so, they feel they must “distance themselves from the current ‘branding’ of Christianity.” (Kinnamon & Lyons)
I can tell you from the perspective of one who spends a great deal of time engaged with those outside the faith; a significant portion of any conversation begins with me making apologies for the many misrepresentations of Christianity, the abuses suffered at the hands of misguided Christians, and correcting their many misconceptions—this—just so I can get to any meaningful dialogue. I can fully appreciate the need to “distance” one’s self from the mainstream “brand” of Christianity in order to earn any credibility with the person to whom I am speaking.
This generation sees what many are only recently coming to realize; the Church is in a pathetic state of decadence and decay. It is, to a large degree, fragmented, watered-down, and retreating from cultural relevancy. Biblical and theological ignorance, cultural apathy, and social indifference are a plague upon the American Church and what passes for Christianity in many circles is often a mere shadow of historic orthodox Christianity or worse something altogether different.
I recently spoke with a young man who is training to be a pastor. He was absolutely heartbroken and angry at the state of the Church. He laments the culturalized Christianity that surrounds him. He described the Christian culture where he lives as one in which “So many people live their lives avoiding hell instead of seeking the kingdom of God.” I think he makes an excellent point: for many American Christians; the purpose of their faith is ultimately bound up in going to heaven when they die. In the meantime the real world, the one into which Christ’s kingdom has come and is coming is ignored and the Christian’s purpose abandoned. We end up living for ourselves instead of for Christ. As I have said before, the gospel is more than just the personal plan of salvation; it is more accurately as the Lord himself said, the “good news” of the kingdom. The former has led to programmed evangelism; the latter fulfills the great commission by means of the two greatest commandments.
What concerns me most is that this reaction among young evangelicals is fraught with peril as are all reactive movements. On the one hand they can, in an effort to accommodate the increasingly antagonistic culture, become so generous in their orthodoxy that they compromise the faith. On the other hand, they can become so angry toward the Church that they fall into an un-biblical ecclesiology that encourages revolution instead of reformation. Both movements are in place right now and their respective “leaders” are gaining converts. In either case, the results will no doubt be destructive.
I believe the Lord is awakening many in this generation. They seek an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and they understand His lordship extends to every aspect of life and culture. I can’t tell you how often I encounter this positive spiritual theme and yet it is almost always accompanied by an equal frustration with the present Church.
What is desperately needed is spiritual wisdom that can carefully guide this generation between these two extremes toward real and orthodox reformation. The younger generation can offer insight that can properly contextualize the full gospel in such a way that it is once again relevant and our generation can provide sound guidance that preserves and promotes a love for Christ’s Church and orthodox theology. We must be willing to listen to each other, to learn and work together being of one mind and one spirit. This we must do for the sake of the Church and the next generation.
© 2008 by S. Michael Craven
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Responses
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Response from : John Gould |
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February 18, 2008 9:50 AM
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In the late 60's when I was struggling with "the Church" and what it meant to be a Christian, the young were looking for meaning, direction, real love, and truth. Are they looking for something different today? We found the church fo our day insulated and superficial, a sort of Christian theatre that didn't really acknowledge the lordship of Christ. Is today's frustration any different? Many in the "Jesus Movement" of the 60's and 70's moved on to orthodoxy because we saught truth in the Word, and the Spirit was faithful to honor it. I think we must begin by acknowledging what Watchman Nee said that the church is not an institution, but a fellowship of believers who are in the world but not of the world. The institution seeks its own survival...the fellowship seeks Christ. The early church impressed those around them by their love and fellowship; this is what we sought in the 70's and it is still relevant in today's fractured, materialistic, cynical, and narssisistic world.
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Response from : Greg Williams |
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February 18, 2008 1:55 PM
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Mr. Craven
Once again a profound article that highlights the fact that the modern-day, westernized "church" has become far more a product of the negative prevailing culture than having any sort of positive impact on said culture!
Barna's new book with Frank Viola, "Pagan Christianity", as I'm sure you're aware, purports to much of what you've written here.
Your conversation with the young ministerial student points out that most of our education system, including most of the so-called "christian" institutions of higher learning are much more influenced by the secular culture which I believe explains, at least in part, why they have such difficulty challenging it - their brand of Christianity is much in line with it!
Finally, while I believe there certainly is a call to Revival (that must always begin with the Holy Spirit working in individual lives/hearts and then be spread abroad) as the Lord has really laid on my heart the need for prayer and fasting for this very thing, I truly believe that the greatest 2 things that have been lost have been what your article speaks subtly about throughout - 1) A return to the teaching of Absolute Truth (most of which has been completely watered down to the point that most "christians" don't even know they're being fed partial truths or "untruths" - both deceptive and destructive (Gal. 6: 7 - 9). After all, KNOWING the Truth is what sets us free (Jn. 8:32) and how can they know it when hardly anyone fully studies it and certainly does not receive it fully! 2) A return within that Absolute TRUTH to the teaching of God's full-orbed Love which very clearly includes throughout all of Scripture as much grace, mercy, forgiveness, humility, compassion and nurturing as it does Holiness, righteousness (there's that confangled Absolute Truth thing again), justice, discipline and punishment. All of these words have fallen prey to the secularist, relativistic Humanist's redefining - is it no wonder that we miss God's Love and Truth?!? In so doing, it is easy to see another prevailing "theme" that runs through your article (intended or not) which is that of the responses of those who would claim that Christianity and the Church are milksops and soft on everything - those fed up with the licentiousness side (the whole "just give us grace in all things" side of God's Truth and Love" that Paul addressed straightforwardly in Rom., particularly chap. 6, when he said "God forbid!") vs. those who see the orthodox 'church' as basically too hardened and out of touch - the legalistic side of God's love (again addressed throughout Scripture in the struggle between the Jewish laws and the Christian faith).
My prayer and efforts are to help believers and non-believers to see the complete Truth and God's complete Love - the responses from couples, individuals and even in the workplace have been amazing and I believe this is at the crux of all you've written about in this great article!
Thanks again for being a Godly culture warrior for Absolute Truth and Full- orbed Godly Love! Only when we see, live and teach it completely and in balance will we see all that God intended for us to be! And that requires much humility, grace, discipline, prayer and fasting all in Truth and Love!
God bless in Christ!
In His service
Greg Williams
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Response from : Greg Williams |
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February 18, 2008 2:07 PM
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Final thoughts - Interestingly enough your article sounds much like Ghandi's response to Christ and Christianity over a half century ago (or there near abouts) "I like this Christ I just don't like His Christians!" - How sad but true and yet we also must remember that the world is not going to like our message when given in its entirety (as discussed in my last submission) as it is counter to their 'lord' and fleshly desires!
One other quote you will appreciate (and I think this also speaks to the problem of Church leadership being based much more on a "corporate" model rather than the Biblical "family" model from Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus): "Christianity was founded as a relationship with Christ, when it moved to Greece it became a philosophy, when it moved to Rome it became a system and when it moved to America it became a business."
Perhaps some over-generalization but a lot of truth nonetheless!
Thanks again and God bless in Christ!
In His service
Greg Williams
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Response from : Colin Cody |
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February 18, 2008 2:30 PM
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I am a 73 year young theologian who agrees with the kids about the thoroughly apostate nature of the present bogus church.
The reformation you speak of must start with going back to the Bible to understand what God really means by what he says there. The apostasy in lifestyle we see is a natural result of apostasy in theology. It could not be otherwise in the nature of spiritual reality.
Charles G. Finney had enormous power in evangelism and excellent results in training converts because his soteriology was accurate and genuinely biblical.
Until we as the people of God are willing to honestly seek the truth and admit our foolish theological errors about such things as the nature of salvation, the nature of God and the nature of the Christian life, there can be no real reformation.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He must have the real thing, not Satan's substitute, before he can do his work in the world. The church is powerless because it is profoundly deceived and has been for most of the last 2000 years.
We need an earth shattering great awakening like that in Finney's day. Nothing else will meet the expectations of the people of this nation, young and old. Nothing else will meet God's expectation of his people in this crucially important time in American and world history. It literally has become a matter of simple survival.
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Response from : Dr. John Boyd |
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February 18, 2008 2:33 PM
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Whereas, there seems to be a general disapproval of every older generation's way of doing things, it is never the Biblical way to question the godly leaders in the Lord's church. Paul instructed the OLDER men and women to disciple the younger generation. There is great, godly wisdom employed in his doctrine. Left to the indiscretionary and unproven thinking of the younger generations of Christians, the church ends up in, well...the shape it is in today. It is precisely the remolding of church methodology to conform to the tastes and fads of the younger and less wise generation which yeilds a church that turns its back on Biblical principles of discipling...all to keep the kids interested. One thing is forever true: lost people will always be bored with good preaching and sound doctrine!
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Response from : CAJ DIDIGU |
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February 18, 2008 3:37 PM
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THE UNCHANGING TRUTH WE NEED TO COME TO TERMS WITH
Your article and the criticisms leveled by the “young Christians” are entirely vague and lacking substance. It would appear that they want to live a Christian life on their own terms and in a manner that negates the central theme of the message of salvation. Man fell out of grace through sin and doomed to suffer here on earth and for all eternity. God showed his love by having mercy on man by sending a deliverer, his own Son to come and pay for the sin that has separated man from God.
Christ came for two purposes, namely to pay the price for sin, which is suffering and premature death, and of life eternal suffering in hell, and to bring man God’s power to permit man to reject sin or achieve repentance, and carry the message of this salvation to others. A step in receiving God’s power is forgiveness of old sins or justification of anyone who believes that God indeed sent his only begotten Son to come on this rescue mission. Once a believer is justified, meaning his soul is purged of his old sins, the Spirit of God comes into the spirit of the believer to fill the believer with eternal life or God’s indestructible life or God’s love that makes the believer a child of God.
You are now spirited out of Satan’s kingdom and enter God’s kingdom. You are now where Adam and Eve were before they sinned. This is not all there is to the good news. If you disobey God subsequently the way Adam and Eve did, you would not be stock with the sin forever as Adam and Eve were, and most of humanity after them, until Christ came for the rescue, but you can and do get forgiveness whenever they repent and confess the sins. Adam and Eve and most of humanity did not have this opportunity until Christ came.
Any one who accepts Christ and continues to oppose and fight God by following God’s arch enemy, Satan by disobeying the commandments of God as Adam and Eve did will be separated from God until he repents. Under this condition you serve Satan and cannot serve God. This is where many of the so called young Christians who want to live a Christian life on their own terms. They do not want to be reminded that a life of sin is a striving against God, and makes you an ally of the devil. God’s commandments have not vanished or been abrogated and obedience to he commandments is what it means to love God and to love others. The following Scriptures will help to refocus the minds of all Christians on the issues at stake that God himself and no human being can alter, no matter how much we argue or protest or ignore the unchangeable word of the Most high:
John 14:15
15. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
John 14:23-24
Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
Romans 13:9-10
The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts,
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit,
envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
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Response from : Bryan Kucinski |
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February 18, 2008 10:57 PM
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Michael,
I am in my mid-30's, married with three children. I consider myself a "serious" christian (as you put it). I would say and know that my gifting is in teaching the word. I have been in third world countries on mission trips and have seen the "world". I am encouraged by your article. I actually believe and agree with you that God is awakening our younger generation to some very serious issues. My wife and I just relocated to Tulsa, OK. The bible belt as they say! Oh, how we struggle to find a church that is active in preaching the word with conviction, passionate about changes lives and living those mission statements that we take so much time in our retreats to agree to and focus our churches. The main problem today is delivering of the Word of God! There seems to be so much interest in making it culturally relevant. Its not! The name of Jesus and the Word of God is a lightening rod in our society as it was in Jesus's day. I believe the younger generation is hungering (or shall we say grieving the Spirit) for truth and relevance...regardless of today's society. We visited a church here in Tulsa that was in a converted mall...and it looked just like it. All the old stores were retrofitted to fit the ministries. Ironic. The pastors message was good but again...the message was also full of mis-truths. He actually said concerning the gospel that God "eventually will stop pursuing you". Really? Joel Olsteen, TBN, the health and wealth pastors today all preach to self. What is going on here? I believe that once we have our encounter with the Living God that is Christ Jesus, accept Him as Lord and get into His Word, we can't help but want to change and follow Him. It will look different than the world...and we will want that! The encouragement and teaching in today's churches does not seem to embody that anymore. Or...(and I am of the belief)that this is the last church age of revelations...the one Christ rebukes for being "luke warm". I read those verses and am boldly convicted to not be luke warm. To us my gifts, to help the poor, give to the needy and share Christ with the lost. I desire as a son to a father to hear those words..."well done my good and faithful servant". The question is...as this movement of God increaes, how will we as the Church respond? Will we remain luke warm or will we join together, refuse false teaching and embolden our congregations to not be arrogant but be confident in who God made you to be, approach our walk and the cross with humility and bring a message of reconcillation and restoring to the believer and unbeliever. The American christian church that can do that will see people have life change beyond anything imaginable!
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Response from : Bruce Bawcom |
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February 19, 2008 12:49 AM
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I would really appreciate a few specific questions to help me measure whether or not I am part of the problem. I read this commentary, and I'm moved by it in a few different directions. I believe I'm not totally off-base in having convictions about the moral problems of these years and about the relevancy of political involvement. But it is difficult to really examine that without some objective input, and that might be assisted by some thought-provoking specific questions.
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Response from : John Gorman |
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February 19, 2008 9:45 AM
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Great article Micheal. Remind me next time I see you to share with you my families experience this past weekend. We attended a wedding in Houston and were invited to attend church with them after breakfast.
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Response from : Garry Webb |
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February 19, 2008 4:19 PM
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I have just read the article and I have to say as a youth pastor in Australia there is much the same sentiment from young people. At a recent national CRC youth convention the guest speaker made the comment that our back door is as big as our front door, and sadly he is right. I must also say that I struggle with young people saying that we need to make the Gospel relevant, My question is When is the Gospel not relevant?
There is a great divide amongst the generations but I do believe that as Christ followers we must get on the frontline and contend with people's criticisms and love them for the opportunity to come into the area of their struggle with the Gospel and BE Jesus to them.
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Response from : mercie |
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February 20, 2008 8:13 AM
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I've Have love the Jesus for 32 years. I dont like churches. I have 7 children. One Of my oldest Has found A very Good Church I envy Her. My 3 teenages boys Will till you of the churches we have been to it is boring and it does'nt relate to them I agree the last church they went they needed to be fed instead the sleep during service. We need Churches on fire for the teenagers soon to become adults. because they are hungry for a Jesus that relates to their needs. Although I have done my best to raise the them in the ways of the Lord. I've prayed for tem to find others that love the lord to relate to them also. It is very hard to find.The small churches do not have a clue and the large churches can not handle the many they have. You get lost in the crowd so to speak. well this is my comment thank for yours. God bless you.
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Response from : Pamm Muzslay |
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February 20, 2008 11:36 AM
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Sometimes reformation can only come through revolution. We call what Luther started The Reformation, when in actuality he was the instrument for a much-needed revolution. To describe his impact on the church of his day as any less than that is to deny the significance of the changes that were wrought.
http://www.thetotaledwoman.com
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Response from : Thelma Garvin |
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February 20, 2008 12:57 PM
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You did not mention them in your article, but I am curious as to what young Christians think of homosexuality, premarital sex and abortion.
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Response from : Bro. Lee |
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February 20, 2008 12:58 PM
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Good article. I sense this tension in within the Christian church. May we live out the Good News and let Christ transform this lost world.
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Response from : Cynthia Farnham |
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February 21, 2008 9:48 AM
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I wonder what would these young christians would have us do instead of what we or doing? After all, it is up to them to make a difference. It was the early christians who dared to stand up for Christ. I know we have different views sometimes on important issues. But my contention is when we gave the government Church control. That is my main concern. When we allowed our officials to govern our Church we lost control of the beauty of our Christian heritage.
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Response from : Kevin |
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February 22, 2008 7:06 AM
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Speaking of bad ecclesiology and shallow theology, I think that these play into the causes of the current problems. The evangelical church devotes way, way too much time and attention to self-appointed talking heads and evangelical "spokesmen" on radio and TV. Too often you go to a small group "Bible" study where the book that is studied is something new and trendy; the Bible serves only to provide proof texts for the popular author's teaching. What happened to local church leaders and the Word of God? Often it seems they serve only to further agendas that have been focus-grouped and marketed. This is "a form of godliness while denying its power".
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Response from : michael pascucci |
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February 22, 2008 9:03 AM
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I totally agree with your comments of the condition of the church today, the church has lost it's voice,it has lost it's salt and instead of being the city on a hill to be a example of the Lord's love,it has become a mockery to the world around it.
I speak fro experience,I have been Christian for almost 30 years and the most hurt I recieved in my life,have come from other christians,they robbed me from my livlihood, and almost destroyed my family.There are men who are pastors who have no right to be,they fleece God's flock and move on, and the church does nothing about it.It is a shame,I still serve the Lord with my family,I am a faithful member of a Reformed Church,but the scars I have will be with me till the day I meet the Lord.The Church Of Jesus Christ in America (I say America because I believe Christs Church in other section of His World are on fire for Him) must repent of it's slothfulness and return to their first love.
Thank you for your comments I thought I was the only one who thought this way.
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Response from : Randee |
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February 22, 2008 10:35 AM
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This article was a good reflection of many of the stereotypes that are being portrayed about the modern church. However, I do not find it accurate. Each church is unique and has a different gifting in the kingdom, and I fear that often, people go to one church, feel negatively toward it, and then foster those feelings and imply them on every church. I must acknowledge that this is not always the case. However, we are not all the same, if so, then God's creation of individuality would not be a sign of his glory. We are all different members that make up the body. The same is true with churches. Each church is unique has a special purpose.
While there is hypocrisy among the church, it is an issue of its members that needs to be addressed. It cannot be spread as a generalization over the whole church.
As a young believer, who loves Jesus, I want to do as he says, and go to church. Only in church am I part of a body that challenges me as well as disciples me. Only here does he REALLY pour out his spirit and giftings. His spirit is present everywhere that we ask, but in the church it is like a flood. It is really great to come together and worship, pray, disciple, heal, and seek the lost.
God doesn't want us to try to live on our own. That is why a body of believers is so important.
This article just makes me sad to think that my fellow brothers and sisters do not want to come together as a body because of the stereotypes that are portrayed in the World. Those are not from God...what more is there to it?
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Response from : Neville Ontong |
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February 22, 2008 11:00 AM
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An excellent article. well written and very true. Not just relevant for the USA. I'm pastoring a mixed- racially, age in South Africa. I experience similar responses and comments from young people here.
How does one change this though? Irrespective of the negative feelings and response to the church, the church is still the answer and God's vehicle to bring about change and transformation in the individual and in society.
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Response from : Karyn |
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February 22, 2008 10:20 PM
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Michael, just this morning the Lord put these words in my head: "strictly God." He is longing for men and women identifying themselves with His church to turn their hearts and minds toward Him! If more church-goers and more so-called "evangelicals" truly walked closely with the Lord in real, authentic faith, we'd have more of our next generation following in our footsteps. I imagine God is giving you a standing ovation in heaven for this piece, for once again directing attention back to Him. I appreciate the purity of your desire to serve. I can always count on you and your ministry to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, not your own. Your ministry is being blessed because you are different than today's Christian cultural norm - not marketing self, but "strictly God." Thank you for always pointing to Him. You are a fine example to others of a true minister. He has His hand upon you, Michael. May He continue to bless you richly.
http://www.prayerfullypenned.blogspot.com
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Response from : Thomas Peck |
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February 23, 2008 6:08 PM
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I received Christ at 37 (am 54 now) and agree that the church is full of sinners, and the problem is that we have lost the sense of repentance and humbleness on the personal level.
The church has not dealt effectively with the sinful behaviors of the members. Instead of addressing "small" sins like gossip, rudeness, insensitivity towards each other, and ignoring the "big" sins like divorce or immorality, the church puts on a "happy face" and closes its eyes to the world inside it (just like the church at Ephesus did until Paul wrote and woke it up!).
Kids see this and are not upset at the unperfectness but that the church acts like it is perfect.
This is a problem that comes from a leadership speaking not as a co-conspirator but as the "authority".
The church needs servant leaders and needs to teach servant leadership where humbleness is more important than confidence.
http://achristianresponse.blogspot.com/
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Response from : Craig Olson |
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February 23, 2008 6:28 PM
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Having gone through a number of personal crises without any help from the church, I would agree with much of what the author says. However, if I were writing the article, I would not just repeat the criticisms, but give real life examples to back them up. Lord knows I have plenty of them from my own life.
Craig Olson
http://onefamilyplace.net
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Response from : Sarah Warner |
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February 26, 2008 11:27 AM
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I fully agree. The church has really failed, but it is time for the bride of Christ to arise in all her glory. Our yes needs to be yes and our no, no. It's harvest time, and the reapers need to be ready.
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Response from : Ken |
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February 26, 2008 4:23 PM
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Amen! My concern is that the Church has moved from the "woman at the well" experience, that one-on-one touch, to a constant following of the multitude. That is of course, until Jesus turns and states he that hateth not his father, his mother, and even his own life cannot be my disciple.
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Response from : Pam |
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February 26, 2008 4:45 PM
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I agree with the writer's findings. I am in the UK and am one of the more 'mature' Christians (in new birth and age) that is also feeling the sorrow of the 'larger' church body.
Jesus said that 'narrow is the way and few there be that find it.
Do you suppose that the 'few' are those that actually recognise the fact that the church of the Living God has diverted from the true course?
I have seen many reaching out into the public arena, but the majority are to fill pews rather than to reach souls.
Without God and Christ in my life, I would have gone under many years ago, but He, and He alone, has sustained me when 'christians' abandoned me in my darkest hour.
Know what I learned from that?
Jesus told me He knew what it felt like and I was experiencing His sufferings. That strengthend me and gave me the will to go on!
The 'christians' I learned to distinguish from the 'How are you' meaning, good morning politeness but I don't want any details. When I actually thought they were interested.
Strange world we live in now!
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Response from : Robert Smith |
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February 26, 2008 4:47 PM
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The Holy Spirit is working in these young people, giving them over to true Christianity. However they have put the cart before the horse. Seek ye first the kingdom of Heaven. God initiates everything. Let's get ourselves right with God first and pray that He will pour out his Spirit truth and grace upon us. Put a good heart in us and then Christ will work through us with the Spirit of God. Without the Spirit we can do nothing. We must stop relying on our own strength. Read the story of Richard Cameron in 'The Lion of The Covenant' and get things into perspective. There will always be difficulties in being a Christian. Try to see God's overall plan, Sometimes we are too close to the action to see what is happening. Remember it does not begin with us. Let us throw ourselves on the mercy of our crucified Saviour. Without whom we would all be cast into Hell.
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Response from : LeAnn |
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February 26, 2008 4:53 PM
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I can sum it up in one word - "Legalism". There are so many "do's and don'ts" going on in the church these days in an effort to control peoples behaviors in response to the out of control behaviors we see modeled in society that church and faith has become so incredibly performance based. We have forgotten how to rely on Jesus for ALL things. Yes, many of these "do's and don't's" may outwardly appear very Biblical and true, but if you get to the heart of it are nothing more than "performing" in an attempt to get God's love and make sure he doesn't damn us to hell. The GOSPEL message seems to be all but lost. GRACE is what is needed in our churches - not more rules for living - both good and bad. As I have had to learn the hard way these last few years - your bevavior will not change your heart; but your heart will change your behavior. And ONLY Jesus and a personal relationship with him can change a person's heart.
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Response from : Richard C. Berry |
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February 26, 2008 5:24 PM
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Solomon observed, "There is nothing new under the sun." The youth of every generation feel that they have the answers to the world's problems and if we would just turn it over to them all would be well. Well, we do and the conditions today are what we get. That reality seems to escape the next generation. Only those who learn that the step of repentance of their own arrogance and faith in the Son of God can find a way of breaking out of this cycle.
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Response from : Heath Richards |
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February 26, 2008 5:25 PM
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what christians need to quit doing is being fascists. there are liberal fascists who spread this nanny state, cradle-to-grave socialism. and then there are christian fascists who want to legislate christianity, morality, and values. last time i checked, the second greatest gift that our creator ever gave us was the gift of free will. our relationship with GOD is what it is because we choose to love and follow GOD-because GOD gave us the choice whether or not to follow him. now, christians want to outlaw marijuana, gambling, stripping, prostitution. they want to outlaw these things using congressional legislation. well who made christians benevolent. last time i checked nobody. while some of the above mentioned activities like gambling and prostitution are less than respectful endeavors, it's nobody's place to say that one can't do these things. there is no earth czar, people! let's not act like we are.
i guess what i'm trying to say is that if we want to end potentially hurtful activities like those we need to be leaders and speak out against them, and teach our kids morals and virtues. we shouldn't try to be the bosses of people we need to follow the constitution (the second greatest document ever written besides the bible) and be tolerant of people, if their not bothering us. there's a quote that goes, "with great power comes great responsibility." well the great power we've been given is liberty and free will. the great responsibility is be tolerant of people that don't think like we do. if we don't quit be intolerant, cry-baby winers, we're going to lose our liberty.
thanks for letting me rant.
heath
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Response from : kath |
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February 26, 2008 5:30 PM
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Thanks for this frank article concerning the state of the church, I live in Australia and we are seeing over here a mass exodus from the pentecostal/evangelical church, that chooses to be controlling and manipulative, towards home churches and new churches that are being opened by other hurt congregationalists.
I personally fell in love with Jesus and the church for that matter, my zeal for Christ and his church was fervant, but as many can testify the politics and hypocrisy that emanates from the top, slowly but surely snuffs out and strangles any kind of passion. I am 34 so it is definately not a young person's response alone, there are plenty of us in the X generation and even in the baby boomers who are now so completely fed up with the dribble that emanates from those in leadership. It's literally taken me almost 2 years to get back to any kind of passion, even for the Word of God. I praise him that He has kept me, and that my faith was not completely derailed by such "leaders". Although, I have to say it is harder to read the Word now, because of the heretic way it was used in a church I came from. I was the Worship Coordinator for 3 years, and I wasn't even allowed to say goodbye to those I had ministered to and loved. And of course they were then told they weren't allowed to communicate with departed souls such as mine.Sounds a bit like a cult hey? I guess thats the complaint i hear the most now, that the control issue is so rife in pentecostal churches under the AOG, that there is a real sense that it's no longer Jesus' church anymore, and personally I believe that is why we don't have the same overflow of the Holy Spirit in churches or the healings that have in the past been prevelant, simply because there's no room for the Holy Spirit to move, in a man's church, insted of Christ's church.
Anyway that's just a bit of my opinion on the matter, it was great that you could put an article like this together, thanks kath donnelly
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Response from : L. Young |
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February 26, 2008 6:24 PM
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Its time for a change. When I got saved, I went to a very strict, religious and legalistic church that was a part of a very large denomination. As I look back I always felt like I had to get saved every week to be sure I make it to heaven or to make sure my sin didn't turn God's back on me. The whole denomination leaves a bad taste in my mouth and my husband and I did finally leave that church. We found a church centered on God and His love for His people. I have grown spiritually like never before. I have had to renew my mind from a religious mindset to a Christ centered mindset and every time I think of that I shake my head because I thought the church was somewhere people could go to eat because the world had left them hungry, but through religion and legalism I received almost something like poison.
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Response from : john klippenstein |
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February 26, 2008 6:25 PM
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I am one of the "young" people you talk about who feels alienated by the "christian" community. I am only 67 years old and therefore not, by any imagination, an old person. For the most recent 50 years of my life I have realized that North American Religeon is false. It is focused on money. The success provided by SATAN as a reward for worshiping him, is paraded as a reward from GOD. Give me a break. Also, Homosexuality is not the problem. The problem was the first instance when our church failed to condemn a man and women living together outside of the sanctity of marriage. Heterosexual or homosexual is not the issue. Sex outside of marriage (marriage being defined as a union of the two sexes) is the issue.
Most of the people I know beleive that if they are financially successful, God is obviously blessing them. How ironic. If you believe this there is no reason I have to continue talking to you.God is not famous for rewarding people on this earth for doing his will. HE WILL REWARD THEM LATER. Satan, on the other hand, has no problem rewarding people on this earth for doing his will.
ANYONE AND EVERYONE who is being rewarded on this earth must exam very carefully his/ or her situation. Only a very few are being rewarded by GOD. The rest are being rewarded by SATAN
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Response from : Tim Davis |
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February 26, 2008 8:10 PM
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I disagree with the primise of rejection of Christianity of the youth.
Christianity in America is frequently represented by many professing Evangelicals, which in their minds is often unloving, judgmental, arrogant, and hypocritical
What youth needs to do is just as their forefathers have done. Look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
It's not because we Christians are not "Gay friendly enough" But rather we don't project the correct image of Christ. Somebody who has the answer and is confidant. With an inner peace that the world just can't buy.
No, it is not because we are not worldly enough,but rather try to follow the Master.
Liberal theology is not the answer, Let's go back to the basics, like Jesus and Him crucified.
http://www.freewebs.com/sofiakat/
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Response from : Rob |
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February 26, 2008 8:41 PM
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Just as the rabid left are re-writing history by casting Hitler as a "berserk conservative" despite the fact that Nazi was a contraction of NATIONAL SOCIALIST; they have now taken the fallen televangelists, and any far right nut-job criminal they can dig up and pinned the "Evangelical" label upon them. Evangelical is now a left wing buzzword for enemy. Funny, isn't it? The Lord cannot return quickly enough for me. In the interim, we need to recapture these youth with a heart for the Lord, but repulsed by the "structure." Some of us old guys need a conduit to some of the young guys to let them see that Jesus is all that matters and in the end, He will claim His own.
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Response from : S.Thompson |
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February 26, 2008 8:50 PM
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"They love Jesus but they want little to do with His Church."
The problem is in this statement. We are not HIS CHURCH. We are churches after the making of some man (or men) so we are followers of someone other than Jesus Christ.
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Response from : Pat Stewart |
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February 26, 2008 8:58 PM
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This feeling isn't limited to younger people. I'm a 54 year old married female. My husband is 49. We feel the same way.
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Response from : Ralph |
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February 26, 2008 9:00 PM
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RIGHT ON! We have lost sight of our first love and traded him in for a hyper=critical, judgmental, loveless parody of the real thing. No wonder we are the butt of so many jokes. It is not the spirit of the antichrist persecuting the church; rather, it is the mirror of truth reflecting back to us what we have become.
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Response from : Stan |
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February 26, 2008 9:42 PM
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Bravo! Too many Christians go to church on Sunday for the "emotional" feel good message they need to give them a pep in their step for the day. People aren't bearing fruit in the way they live as moral relativism takes a hold of the church and its members. It is up to us, me, you and I to live His word in everything we do and say.
Lets pray we seek Him and His kingdom!
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Response from : Loy Bailey |
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February 26, 2008 9:57 PM
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The fruits of treating James like he was an Apostle has brought this upon the Church. I am a Bisexual Christian and I could show you the comments I get back from 'Brethren' who claim to be less of a sinner than I am. It doesn't matter what I say to them, they are sure that my place in Heaven is less of a guarantee than their own. This is what I mean by the fruits of James, they are 'showing me their faith by their works.'
It also doesn't matter that I am not actively pursuing such a lifestyle. The Christians who often comment tell me it's a bad image. When I believe that the opposite is true. It's a very good image to portray a person who is saved even though such a sinner, and that the God of Salvation brought a change that was genuine.
Yet the automatic assumption is that I am still practicing.
So I think that the biggest problem of the Church as far as reaching out, is that it has become dominated by Christian versions of Pharisees, those who think that they are fine and righteous with God, like they are on the inside looking out at all us weirdo gentiles.
So the image of the church is stained because the church typically thinks that they have made themselves a Law like the Law of Moses to be preached in the synagogue every Sabbath.
Well, I know that God isn't asking them about my salvation - thumbs up or down. The Spirit of God is with me, and they will not be capable of taking Him from me.
I am one of the angry Christians out there, angry at the church for perverting the Gospel into one that is not another. And it seems to me that the Judaizers have found a home in it where people like me have long since not even considered the worth of entering in. Perhaps that's why the Spirit of God is so apparent to me. He knows that we have entered this time where politics and social issues polarize Christians who behave like this world is their home?
I think so.
http://360.yahoo.com/profile-7rEUJP4lbqSbntikbR2aAw--?cq=1
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Response from : Stephanie |
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February 26, 2008 10:11 PM
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Thank you for the article. I really don't see this as an isolated move regarding "young people" but a move that is occuring because of the witness of the Holy Spirit. My husband and I are in our 40's and have been saved 10 years and have grown closer to the Lord in reading the word of God. I would describe us as being "excited about Jesus". There has been something "not so good" happening in the church. There is a move away from God. Hesitancy to teach about Jesus, more sermons that point to loyalty to God through church membership -- while sermons that point to loyalty to God through Jesus Christ are VERY rare. This has gradually occurred over the years and so we have taken more and more responsibility to teach our children the bible at home and to worship at home. We maintained going to church but I have to be honest and tell you that we often would leave feeling "grieved" in our spirits. It is hard to sit and hear the word of God manipulated, experience the move of the Holy Spirit aborted, and hear such negativity ring in the atmosphere. This week we made a decision to withdraw our membership for our current church that we have attended for 3 years. We left our previous church of 6 years because we moved 2 hours away. We have supplemented with several bible-teaching online/radio ministries recently when things really began to deterioriate. We know the word is still being taught and there are ministers that still glorify God through Jesus Christ. We have encountered many Christians who are currently having a similar experience in the church. We pray for the sons and daughters of the King.
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Response from : Mike Shepherd |
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February 26, 2008 10:46 PM
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Unfortunately he hit the nail on the head repeatedly. I have been in youth ministry almost 17 years. I have also experienced betrayal of some kind at most churches. In my spiritual eyes the local church has little or no Godly love no compassion and not willing to do anything to change. It presents a watered down message, is not willing to reach out to outsiders and wonders why it does not grow. So much for reaching the lost.
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Response from : Evelyn Ray |
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February 27, 2008 7:35 AM
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Absolutely right on... even older Christians are weary of a watered down socially and politically correctness
organized religion is not spiritual
http://http
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Response from : Bro. Tom |
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February 27, 2008 1:26 PM
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The "Problem" as I see it is:If,you'll go to the Bible(KJV)and learn about The Church of Christ,you'll se that what your looking @(in the world) isn't the church but,Satan's version! Visit a Church of Christ for yourself & see!
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Response from : Georgina |
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February 27, 2008 2:24 PM
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With all due respect, I disagree that this is the trend of young Christians, quite the contrary. The young are those who are systematically increasing their embrace for tradition, conservatism and the true riches of the Church. What has happend is, unfortunately, in a misguided effort to attract parishioners, some parishes/ churches have become an entertainment place and not a place of tradition, respect, REVERANCE, prayer, SILENCE and praise to our Lord. If you want entertainment, then go elsewhere - not to Church. So you see, what most are seeking is not being offered. The Church never has or will need to be changed in any manner. It was established by our Lord and is to transcend throughout all times and not be ever molded to accommodate the times. I see a bright future taking hold, where tradition, morality and conservatism is at the top of the agenda of the young. This will result in more and more parishioners going back to churches to satisfy their thirst and hunger for our Lord Jesus Christ, in the manner in which God solely intended. God bless you.
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Response from : Jack Ferguson |
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February 28, 2008 1:43 AM
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I think this is great problem for churches. I couldn't believe growing up catholic. But I went to a church that stressed a personal relationship with Jesus. If you can get to know Jesus, He will become irresistable to you. He has become that to me. If you can participate in this church your life will never be the same.
www.questcommunity.com
I am twenty-five so I am still young this church has changed my life.
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Response from : Ron Place |
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February 28, 2008 2:47 AM
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Michael has hit the nail right on the head. This is not only an American problem, here in South Africa we are seeing the symptoms. For many years now I have been lamenting the goal that many have of avoiding hell, and "hoping" for heaven, rather than just living for Christ.
Thank you for a wonderful, thought provoking article provoking
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Response from : Yvonne |
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February 29, 2008 8:18 AM
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your a little late is this assumption...however...thats the veiw I had when I was between18-29...now I am 29-40 and ...I've been at this huge church for 8 years and don't know a soul..youth groups are for the kids.....young mothers...my kids are grown....so they have nothing for the rest....HOWEVER..it's a 2 way street I know this...and getting involved has everything to do with availability
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Response from : Wade |
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February 29, 2008 8:33 AM
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Dear Friends,
It so grieves me to hear all the bashing of the bride of Christ. Anyone can see that the church is not what it should be. But the concept of church was not our idea and therefore our only response is to roll up our sleeves and get to work at reforming it. More books and blogs about how bad it is do not help in my opinion.
Let's please never forget that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only answer for any generation and it will never be popular.
Let the change start with ME!
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Response from : Sherron Hudson |
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February 29, 2008 12:47 PM
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I agree totally with the "younger" generation's assessment. I am a 61 yr.old Christian and am working as a missionary in the U.S.to help the Body of Christ realize genuine reformation and revival of orthodox Christianity (as Jesus Christ intended for His followers).
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Response from : Lamar Carnes |
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March 1, 2008 7:05 AM
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My evaluation of the situation reflected in the article about responses relating to the Church certainly has a few points that are relative to Biblical Christianity as presented in the Gospels and Epistles.
However, I find the following teachings as what the Church should be about and most of the responses are really not based upon what Christ and God expects of a person and the local Churches. For instance the following are reflective small bullets that are shown clearly in the epistles that we are to be engaged in and show forth as what we are about:
1. Preaching the whole Gospel to the
all in the world and make disciples.
2. After that we are to engage in teaching Bible doctrine to each believer, pray with them, help them with various problems whether spiritual or physical, and have fellowship with them on a more social level such as food, and other events with each other!
3. Give of our time, talents, money to the local Church which is really to God Himself as offerings and alms to the poor.
4. Visit the orphans and widows and help them with their problems.
5. In effect - we are to be kind and loving to one another.
6. We are to teach the precepts that Christ taught to His disciples and grow spiritually which means we have to learn how to walk with Christ and keep His commandments. Involved in this is to teach "right and wrong' according to Christ and when one falls into sin that person has to be addressed and helped to overcome the problem!
I think my last point is where the rub comes in so much with the current generation. Christ teaches us we as a Church and its leaders are to utilize discipline in the Church with its members when they publically engage in sinful attitudes and actions. That has to be addressed in their life for their own sake and the Church of Christ's sake! WE would be sinning ourselves if we did not do what Christ said to do about all of this. This is not hypocritical at all. Only if the person engaging in the disicipline is not walking correctly and then if so, tries to help another with a problem, that could be seen as hypocritical perhaps. But we still have to do these things that are unpopular!
I find today the problem is really that the local Church is trying to be like what you have quoted as what the generation wants rather than being what Christ wants and what the Bible teaches about what Christianity is all about. For instance, not many Churches practice Church discipline at all and that is a very major teaching of the responsibility of the local Church! So, that to me is the hypocrisy when a Church is clearly told by God to do something and they don't! Folks don't really want to hear about "real" Biblical Christainity they want Fluff and easy stuff! But that isn't Christanity at all!
Also, we are not commanded to make the Church big and/or relavant! We are told to preach the Gospel and preach the Whole doctrine of Christ to His people and God will build His own Church! That is HE will call people in by His Spirit and that is not our job! We can't make a person a Christian and that is what is going on today, people are "making" people Christians and they are really not Made Christians by God Himself. There has to be a New Birth, A Spiritual encounter bringing a soul and spirit into communion and spiritual life with Christ and knowing Him and Christ knowning the person intimately! If that isn't there - there is no Christian! We have a lot of people on rolls but they are not the "real" thing according to the evaulation of the Christian profile as given in the New Testament - certainly the outward actions and statements of life we see do not reflect what the Bible clearly states a Christian is to be like! Only God can build His Church and it may be small many times in history. In fact, very small! We are not to have as our objective "changing the world" as we hear it all the time, that is God's work, and we are just to do what we are called to do as I have stated above. If our life changes people and the world then to God be the glory, if not, and they reject it, to God be the glory also. His purposes will be done!
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Response from : AJ |
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March 2, 2008 10:03 AM
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Wow. This article goes right to the core of the issue. I believe there may only be one item to add... I am 37 and I see the same questions in my generation and among my friends. I do not believe this is limited to just the younger generation.
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Response from : ROBERTO PALMA |
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March 2, 2008 8:47 PM
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Excellent focus, it tells of the present state of the church in a perspective that I had perceived but wasn't able to articulate.
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Response from : Kevin |
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March 8, 2008 9:15 AM
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A very god thought provoking article. Much of what you have written is painfully true. Yet, I see a great deal of hope. There is a growing undercurrent in the church that is headed in the right direction. I use the word undercurrent because I first see this as a stream, and because like a natural undercurrent it is hidden. In part, this is the "home church - emergent church" movement, but I also see changes in a few "denominational" churches that bring me hope.
My wife and I "pastor" a home church. (I use that term pastor with caution and trepidation more as a job description than a title.) We have from 8 to 12 people who have gathered around us and with whom we have close relationship. Our focus is centered upon seeing them healed, trained and released into their destiny. This group grew in part out f a nondenominational group that met weekly for years for worship, prayer and intercession for our city and nation. After several years, God spoke to us to lay it down, which we did as a group about 6 months ago. I tell you all of that to say this ... some months before we stopped meeting the Pastors of the denominational churches started meeting and began a monthly "concert of prayer." Pretty dry stuff really, but maybe a step in the right direction. More recently, and more excitingly, a denominational church in the area began a Friday meeting devoted entirely to worship, prayer and waiting on the Lord. They have opened this up to the other churches, inviting all those hungry for more of God. Only time will tell, but maybe, just maybe, there is a stirring and shifting beginning in the mainstream churches as well.
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Response from : Sarah Galassi |
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March 8, 2008 10:45 AM
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Thank you for the article. Now, where can I go to find such a place???? I am very, very tired....(in Holland, MI)
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Response from : RRRRyan |
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March 26, 2008 9:50 PM
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VERY GOOD. I have seen an odd response from "the old" church to this problem that was not mentioned. In America the leadership consistently chooses to look the other way when young people cross dangerous lines in their character and actions. Perhaps as a way to avoid conflict. Whatever it is, it doesn't help. We can't preach one standard while maintaining a completely different one without failing altogether. We can't be afraid to let people sitting on the fence sow their dissension elsewhere until they can control their language, respect, or other more deviant behavior. Don't get me wrong, we should not legalistically beat people with rules, but we cannot continually ignore blatant violations of Christ-like character either. The "do not judge" verse is balanced in scripture with "iron sharpening iron" and similar scriptures that suggest that ignoring sin is not right either.
- A guy who learned to get drunk, smoke pot, sex, and suicidal driving skills from his youth group buddies.
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Response from : Mark Solow |
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April 17, 2008 9:28 AM
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As the father of 2 kids currently in college who are not attending church, I can relate to this article very well.
I take responsibility because of my own lack of discipline. If I had taken the time to teach Biblical truths that I know to my kids on a daily basis, things would be different. You see, the problem with today's youth culture is that they have been spoon fed secularism, liberalism, gay rights etc. from the TV's in their homes, the movies they see and even their schools. The entertainment expectations from the media they are exposed to as well as the fast action of the video games they play makes reading the Bible and going to church very boring by comparison. Unfortunetely, the end result is that our youth have been programmed by the world and not by the living word. i.e. Ask anyone Christian under 25 how they feel about homosexual rights. They will most likely have an opinion. Then ask them what the Bible says about homosexuality---most will not know!
We are comfortable, busy and compliant in the American culture. So far, are faith hasn't really been challenged like other countries where you can be jailed or even killed for your Christian faith. Therefore, the youth today in America may be correct their criticism of the Ameican churches lack of realness. However, few are Biblically or spiritually prepared to face the tests and trials that our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who have to deal with. Many must "walk in faith" on a daily basis just to survive!
Mark Solow
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Response from : s.c |
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August 20, 2008 9:35 AM
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Fabulous- it is so true-
I think for years "churches" have ignored the voice of the younger generation, causing a canyon that divides us now. My girl’s friend has a shirt that says "Evangelicals Suck!" and she wears it to service- LOL They want a real relationship with Christ- the one that set us free- not the one that binds us to misery that is preached & pushed so often!
They don't want a male Hierarchal antiquated political system shoved down their throats- they want GRACE, HOPE, LOVE and true discipline.
Thanks for bringing this topic to the people!
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