The Usual Suspects: Opening Scene
I have been reflecting recently on why people in our culture are becoming increasingly disconnected with the church. This is not a new conversation but one that Christian leaders and researchers have been involved with for a long time: study after study, book after book and conference after conference. I am not opposed to the discussion or the fact that people are speaking and writing about it – in fact, I encourage it. The question I have, however, is what if our conclusions are incomplete? I think when we reflect on why church attendance is declining we often come with the usual suspects…the music, preaching and/or programs are not relevant.

I guess it has caused me to wonder…I don’t think our conclusions are wrong but I wonder if our conclusions are incomplete. Maybe things are less complicated than we have made them out to be…maybe our complicated strategic plans, development goals, transition periods are in some ways incomplete or maybe in some cases misguided.

Usual Suspect #1: Preaching & Teaching – In terms of preaching, we have believed that people were disinterested in the Bible and thus moved to solely topical messaged based on “felt-needs.” But how much does the Bible say about busyness, parenting, friendship compared to the basic and timeless Good News of God. Ironically, and maybe even strategically, I think we are treating symptoms rather than the true human condition, the disease if you will, that people apart from God are lost (not only living in darkness but spiritual death). I am not opposed to topical preaching or connecting with felt needs, but when they dictate and dominate our preaching schedules and content at the expense of the timeless story of God, the Good News of Jesus, then something is wrong isn’t it? To be honest, I wonder…what if we faithfully preached the whole counsel of God and no one came, would that be okay? Is it better to preach only on felt needs if that is what brings a crowd? Ironically, I think what draws the crowd these days are church’s that are preaching the whole counsel of God – preaching Christ crucified rather than solely felt need issues.

Usual Suspect #2: Service – Typically in church growth material you, indirectly at least, get the picture that people just want to be consumers of Christian services in church and so we should tailor it according. I would argue that we have even done this to the point where we offer community (an intangible and often allusive thing) as a promised commodity that people WILL experience if they come to church or one of its programs. Is this right or even true? I am of the opinion that people actually want to serve and be an active and vital part of the community rather than just a receiver or consumer of services. So maybe instead of just providing services, or even instead of providing services, we need to give people opportunities to serve – to be a vital and connected part of the community we want to participate in. I contend that this would then in many ways help to create the atmosphere for community to grow.

Usual Suspect #3: Music – That infamous and almost feared controversy in church. We often assume that if we change the music people will come. Although I believe it is important, I think people in our culture are less concerned about this one then we are as people in the church. Church’s have split, whole denominations have formed, because we have believed this to be of major significance. Although I think it is important and people need to be drawn into worship in their cultural contexts in effective ways, maybe we have made this to be the main thing when in fact people outside the church care less than we do about it. I don’t dismiss the importance of this issue, but I think it is more of an internal church issue dealing with people’s personal preference than anything else. Ironically the attitudes in the church that are created and fostered through this debate and infest or inoculate the church has more effect on the church’s openness than the actual music that is played.

Usual Suspect #4: Leadership and Organizational Structures – You don’t read a lot about leadership and organizational structures in Emerging Church material but I think how a church is organized and the leadership structure it chooses affects its current and future success. For example, a leadership and organizational structure that focuses around a charismatic figure has a structure that is very different from a structure based more on a congregational grass roots model. There are many different models out there, all having their place, but this is often looked at briefly and then ignored to a great extent.

The Usual Suspects: Ending Credits
These are a few of the things I have been thinking about lately as I reflect on the church and its relevance in our world. I want to make it crystal clear…I have great hope for the Church and want to do all I can to honour and serve the Bride of Christ but the Church and what it is and is not is something that I continue to struggle with but in it all knowing that God will prevail.