[The first paragraph below is an introduction to this brief blog series–reprinted from the first entry in the series.]
In a recent conversation with a brother in Christ, our discussion turned to the challenges facing the contemporary church. As in other conversations over the last few years, the topic soon turned to a single question: Are our churches more and more filled with people who are “not very serious” about Christianity? This raises several questions–and a series of blog challenges!
Are our members serious? I realize there are many measures of Christianity. Various people have different reasons for what they do or do not do. I do intend the following to be an indictment of those who are incapable of more. But as one brother observed, “Not everyone who is ‘providentially hindered’ is.”
Have we developed an acceptable version of Christianity that does not require much commitment? You tell me….
When Sunday night attendance is 1/3 of Sunday morning….
When only half of the members attend Bible classes….
When it is nigh unto impossible to get volunteers for various service projects….
When weekday activities are sometimes attended by less than one-fourth of the congregation….
When people listed in the directory seldom if ever show up, but nothing is said or done….
Our pews are filled with unserious people whose lives too often reflect only a token commitment to Christianity. Jesus deserves better!