The Post-Church Era
There has been much discussion the past several years about how we have entered the post-Christian era in the United States. This view has been propagated mainly by two very divergent groups. The first group, the secular progressives, are proclaiming the death of Christian influence in America. The second group, the Christian Church, have voiced a similar concern—a rather surprising lament from the very people who are to be on mission for Jesus and are to express His power in all they do. Both groups point to the well-publicized cultural changes of recent years and their polarizing effects on our nation as proof of this phenomenon.
But what is really at the heart of this apparent shift in momentum?
Because Jesus is the force behind Christianity and has already won the war, it can't be that we are entering a post-Christian era. Instead, perhaps we are running headlong toward a post-church era in America.
When the secularists see the lack of unity, coordination, and common voice within the Christian Church in America today, what does this point to? When the Church sees a waning of influence and impact upon the culture around us, what does this indicate?
A lack of supernatural power.
The authentic Church—the Body of Christ in America—has lost much of its supernatural power. It has spilled out through the cracks between our denominations. It has been squandered on doctrinal battles among our religious sects. It has been set aside in favor of exerting political pressure to gain control. It has been surrendered in moments of hateful indignation over ground lost in the culture around us. It has been watered down by self-focused congregants whose lives are indistinguishable from those of their neighbors.
The truth is that the power we are to possess as His Church has been lost because we have allowed the Church to become something very different than what Jesus called His Bride to be. Instead of operating in His Spirit, we operate in our flesh…and there is no power in our flesh.
The evidence of this abounds around us:
We are to be known by our love for one another (John 13:35). Instead, many of us exercise malice and contempt for those believers who do not hold to our specific flavor of sectarian doctrines.
We are to be a unified body made up of many (Ephesians 4:1-6). Instead, we have disintegrated into the Christian version of special interest groups, each with its own vision and set of priorities.
We are to be salt and light to the world around us (Matthew 5:13-15). Instead, we tend to either adopt a bunker mentality in a fruitless attempt to insulate ourselves from the world around us (hiding our light under a basket), or to become indistinguishable from the world so that our salt loses its flavor (and is good for nothing).
We are commanded to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20a). Instead, we settle for collecting converts and growing our local churches. We measure our progress by numbers instead of personal spiritual growth or spiritual impact in the communities around us.
We are to stand fast on what is essential (2 Timothy 2:23-26). Instead, we have become many voices arguing over non-essential/non-scriptural traditions or Jesus-plus requirements for holiness.
We are to recognize that we can only operate successfully by Jesus' power (John 15:5). Instead, many have gone off on their own, adopting the ways of the world in an attempt to attract others and avoid cultural irrelevance.
And in this splintering of the Body and the disobedience of its members to its Head, Jesus, the church has hindered the power needed to impact our world—His power. This is the critical first step toward a post-church era.
What can be done? Is it too late? Is all lost?
No. Jesus is calling His church back to the basics. He wants a unified body, free from the shackles of denominational schisms or sectarian infighting. Jesus wants us to abandon all the erroneous doctrines and traditions of man we have added to His simple commands. He wants His followers to practice love for one another so that they may in turn show His love to those around them. Jesus wants us to become disciples, walking with Him so we can walk with others and disciple them. He wants us to become like Him—alive, vibrant, engaging the culture around us without personal attacks and condemnation.
These are the guiding principles of this blog:
To challenge the Church to abandon those things that divide us and to embrace the clear truths of Scripture.
To encourage all believers to rally around the One who called us to be His own.
To present Jesus as He has defined Himself in words, attitudes, and example.
To speak words of life to those around us.
To become a relevant part in His plan.
Jesus is 'God with us'. Let's take a walk with Him.
*******
(John 13:35) “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(Ephesians 4:1-6) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
(Matthew 5:13-15) “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
(Matthew 28:19-20a) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
(2 Timothy 2:23-26) Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
(John 15:5) “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
*******
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.