Is The Future Passing Us By? A Picture Says a Thousand Words

I've been thinking a lot about the decline in the SBC this past week. It was talked about at our quarterly associational meeting today. As I heard multiple plans for outreach and church growth, the thought ran through my head: We don't have any idea what we are doing. I don't know that I've ever thought that before. I guess that I always thought that someone, somewhere knew what they were doing in regard to church leadership, evangelism, and cultural engagement. But, recently I've realized that all of the experts have been passed by.  All of their plans, strategies, books, and conferences are no longer working. Everyone is groping around trying to figure this out. Even the megachurches are struggling to figure out how to not be left behind in this new environment of a post-Christian, post-modern, multicultural America.  So, here is a picture that I took in India that I think fully captures where we are right now in relation to a rapidly changing culture:

Obviously, we are the boy on the left. Fortunately, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and we can pray. Has it come to that, you ask? Prayer? Dependence on God? The most pertinent words spoken at our associational meeting today were by the youngest pastor there. He gave the devotion and he called us to preach nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified (2 Cor. 2:1-5). He called us back to dependence on Christ and an application of the Cross in our lives. The true gospel of Jesus Christ has power and can still speak to a spiritually dead people. Can these dry bones live? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit. But, we have to stop believing that we can bring revival through our religious acts, devotion, and morality, and become serious about really repenting of our self sufficiency and pride. God opposes the proud, you know. 

Isaiah 58 has some interesting words for us. Perhaps we should heed them.   

Comments

[Steve Austin]

Hey, man, it's supposed to be hard and even frustrating. If it was easy, idiots like me could do it. I just, park, walk in, sing and listen. I dinna get it all a'once either.

[keith Lucas]

True That! Susan and I were discussing this very thing last night and wondering when we became so arrogant and proud as Christians.

[Lisa]

I agree. Isaiah 58 should be centered in all that we do as indivdual Christians and corporately...but all the stretegies and programs seem to forget that! Wonder if anyone has ever written their mission statement around Isaiah 58??

[Jason Epps]

Alan,

It's funny - before I read your interpretation of the picture, I thought that we were actually the kid on the right - running away from the one who looks like he is in need.

I agree with your assessment of the seemingly endless amount of experts and gurus who seem intent on figuring out how to solve the crisis of dying churches and an evangelical subculture that's growing more slowly than the general population. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure this out. For all of out strategies and "innovations" and institutions, there's one major problem that is not being addressed: The American Church doesn't look anything like Jesus or the early church. Jesus loved others, and even associated with those who were antagonistic to His own faith. The American Church shuns these people. Denominations and even seminaries do the same. The early church saw the power of of God manifested in signs and wonders, but the American Church tries to psychologize the power of God and reinvent it as something less supernatural. The New Testament Christians were grateful people who exhibited attitudes for such grace and love that the world simply could not ignore them. Today's American Christians seem to be more interested in denouncing politicians, playing denominational games, and - as I believe the picture above suggests - running from the real need: people. That's how you love God, folks - by loving people. And that includes those with whom you disagree.

Yes, Alan. Books have been written and will continue to be written on how to "solve the crisis." However, until we obey rule #1 (Love God/Love Neighbor) of book #1, none of that other stuff will ever make a bit of difference.

Blessings, brother,
Jason

[Debbie Kaufman]

Jason Epps: I very much agree.

[Alan Cross]

Great thoughts, Jason. I guess that the picture could be seen that way too, and it makes as much sense. The moment I took the picture, I was kind of blown away by it. It could have a lot of meanings. My first thought was that it represented antiquated India and advancing India. 800 million live on less than $2 a day, but the other 300 million is rapidly stepping into the fruit of capitalism and globalization. Antiquated India is watching Advancing India run by them.

That was my initial thought. Then, I thought that it also represented the SBC situation in the same type of way. The SBC is watching the unbelieving world run away from them as fast as possible. Your meaning is appropriate as well.

I guess that the meaning of things like this is in the eye of the beholder. I think that's pretty cool, actually.

[Alyce Faulkner]

Alan, Religion reeks with self sufficiency and thank you for pointing this out.
God help us.