I have heard (and read) a quote that many pastors and church leaders regurgitate so many times I don't think anybody knows where it came from.
"Christianity is the most exciting thing that has ever happened in the world....and it has taken the church 2,000 years to make it boring!"
This comment is usually used to inspire justification of their local institution's attempt to become attractive, exciting, safe, trendy and friendly to the surrounding target audience. But where does Jesus say this in his commission? Where does he tell us that the "church" has to attract all people, that it has to be exciting and friendly? Where does it say that everybody's even getting into heaven? Ironically, a well known Atheist, Hemant Mehta, author of the book, "I Sold my Soul on Ebay," said this in a Fox New Interview:
"...the stereotypical image I had of church; that it's this boring place to go to on a Sunday, that it's a dull place,that it's don't do this, don't do this. That [image] has definitely changed. The churches I've been to have had incredible music, incredible speakers, some of the pastors are great and I did get a real sense of community being there and that wasn't there before."
So maybe the Pastors have done a good job not making church boring anymore. Maybe the quote works. Maybe more churches are becoming more attractive, exciting, safe, and friendly place to be. After all someone who doesn't even know God, no scratch that, someone who doesn't even Believe in God, said that it wasn't boring and that his mind was actually changed...."Mission" Accomplished! Well done!
Oh, but wait, he still doesn't believe in God! So who's mission is being accomplished again!?!?
Seriously what good has this mentality done? How has this pursuit of de-borifying church brought us closer to the mission Jesus gave us. For the record I agree with the first part of this quote....however I would change the last part to read more accurately.
"Christianity is the most exciting thing that has ever happened in the world....and it has taken a group of injudicious people a LOT LESS than 2,000 years to institutionalize it, reduce it and shrink-wrap it to their own agenda!"
It's not that those that have done this have not had the best intentions and it's not that that they didn't pursue building their following with excellence! It's seems pretty obvious though that many have elevated The Church (organized institution) above The Mission (Jesus Movement). And it has been done so well that many church consumers have faith in the product they are consuming. Many pastors are building their brands through marketing and advertising with a logo and all, to attract more people. Maybe I have it backwards here but I saw a reader board in front of a local church close to my house read, "It's our job to help you get to Heaven safely." Excuse me? Since when? I thought Jesus completed that Job years ago?
On Monday an article ran in the USA Today, Do-it-yourself Christianity. In the article Henry G. Brinton, pastor of Fairfax Presbyterian Church in Virginia references a survey by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago regarding the state of trust has dropped today in authorities and institutions:
- Banks and financial institutions (35% to 28%)
- Major companies (26% to 17%)
- The press (24% TO 9%)
- Education (36% to 27%)
- Organized religion (35% to 24%)
"Whether you attribute this fall to Watergate or Enron or clergy sexual misconduct, the damage has clearly been done." says Brinton. He goes on to write that this is a concern because pastors like him want to be the "trusted brands" of Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Christianity. He goes on to ramble about how "community" church brands have taken market share from the mainline denominations and how reasoning for mainline denominational pastors have dropped their denominational names because they are seen as "barriers" to their ability to grow their business church. Brinton admits,
"...denominational pastors like myself have some lessons to learn from successful independent Churches. I need to accept that today's spiritual seekers want quality, clarity, convenience and community in their practice of faith, and they will choose the church that offers the programs that best meet their personal needs."
Maybe trust is dropping because institutions have swayed so far from the original movement that started it that it has become something that nobody can believe in any more? By now, in reading the article I'm starting to feel this lump in my throat and I'm a getting little sick to my stomach as I strugle to decipher if I'm reading the words from a pastor of a Church or a memo from a CEO of a Sales and Marketing company. But what really made me toss the paper across the table and throw up a little in my mouth was his closing comments:
"Sadly, what is lost in this fracturing of church and society are the worldwide networks that have long been maintained by Protestant denominations. Isolated congregations can certainly meet the spiritual needs of individuals, but they cannot do the work of denominations in supporting thousands of missionaries around the world, creating seminaries for the training of clergy, or taking stands for peace, justice, and religious freedom on the national and international levels. In addition, independent congregations cannot be counted on to preserve a historically based understanding of the Christian faith, or to maintain the unity of the church across geographical or cultural boundaries."
Aaarrrgh! Where is this guy placing his confidence? Of course Brinton may not be concerned about church not being boring and wanting to make it more exciting but it is obvious he is indiscreet about his pursuit to maintain the institution and his agenda. So I ask you, What Came First: The Mission or The Church?
