The Challenge of "Church as Usual"

I love church!  Church is in our family DNA. I remember the rhythms of church–Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night.  No questions asked. Church formed me in specific ways through Bible classes, fellowship, preaching and a host of church activities.  Of course, whatever number came on Sunday morning there was 1/2 or less back for Sunday night. And on Wednesday night, it was about 1/2 of the Sunday night crowd that returned. This took place in two Oklahoma towns: one town of about 10,000 people and another of 2,000.  I have some good memories regarding those rhythms of church. I don’t recall that the pace of life was all that fast and church was, may I say it, “a social event” and even somewhat a cultural norm.

Those days are gone. Recent research indicates that only 16% of Americans are in some kind of church service or involved in some form of religious participation on a weekend. Ouch!  I am not one for ramping up the entertainment factor to “draw” people. And I am certainly not advocating simply a “feel good” message with no demands of following Jesus.

What I am saying is that the church is not at the center of the culture anymore. We are on the margins. This is exactly where first century believers were in their culture. What we have to realize is that our everyday conversations, hospitality, prayers and life IS what it means to be Christian and church.  In essence, we must think and act like missionaries.

Being on the margins of our culture calls us to re-think what it means to be church. For too long we have depended on the culture to prop up the church. No more.  For too long, we have relied on sitting in the right place and by osmosis we would grow spiritually.

It is time to consider specific, concrete, intentional habits associated with living the Jesus way individually and as a church. It is possible to hold on to “church” as usual and retreat into a holy huddle wishing things were better.  Here are a few questions to consider.

1. What habits outside of sitting in a pew do you have for growing spiritually?
2. What conversations are you having with pre-Christian people in your life?
3. Who are you praying for to know Christ and the opportunity to share with?

You are a missionary!  Here and now!

P.S.  The New Testament was written to believers on the margins of their culture.  Try 1 Peter on for size.

Grady King

Mansfield, Texas