"Our big empty churches"

Here is another great article from World Magazine--this one about the climate of many American churches (Can you tell this is my favorite magazine? I will never be without a subscription...but you can also read many of their articles online).

Quote:

Mr. Rainey finds the new churches too materialistic and "impersonal in every way." He says that young people today are not impressed with technology, big buildings, and commercialism. He decries the overall emphasis on "stuff" that plagues our culture and now our churches. He says that today's young adults crave real religion.

Mr. Rainey closes his column with these haunting words: "In Europe, mass religious apostasy left its churches people-free, but the American megachurch could bring this irony: We, unlike the Europeans, have people in our big, empty churches."

As my husband and I have been recently church-hunting, I can attest to the truth expressed in this article. We went to one church that was was like a flawless production: Slick, glossy bulletins, impressive graphic-designed overheads, an energetic, hip young pastor, simply packed with people. And yet the place felt rather empty and lonely. It was too polished, for one thing. Too scripted. And too sanitized. Real people have issues, eccentricities, imperfections, spiritual emptiness, genuine joy, and real lives (i.e. DEFINITELY not scripted!) and real ministry should reflect that. Ministry happens in the heart, not before the eyes.

I don't think this is a big church vs. small church issue. My husband and I used to attend a rather large church in the Dallas area that was fantastic. It had a heart: vibrant ministries, sound biblical teaching, and a small-group ministry mentality. I am convinced that churches reach people the best when they center heavily on their small groups, where people can get plugged into others' lives, and enjoy the close fellowship that we all need.