Author Julia Duin gave a presentation at Trinity a few months ago (I didn’t jot the date down – it must have been during finals!) and I wanted to share some of the things I came away with.
Julia began by highlighting some of the main points of her book… for example, that church attendance is not the 44% that Gallup reports but is actually closer to 20-30%. The only churches that are growing are Catholic (which is now roughly 1/3 Hispanic), Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons (both of which use highly aggressive door-to-door recruiting techniques), and the Assemblies of God/Church of God in Christ, which are open to the Charismatic movement. All other churches and denominations are either static or losing members.
What reasons have interviewees given for the mass exodus? Here’s a short list:
- Church is a waste of time
- I’m bored
- I can accomplish more just staying home and praying for three hours
- Church is irrelevant
- Pastors live in a bubble. They don’t commute, get caught in traffic jams.
- Sermons don’t reflect ‘my world’
- The person had a bad experience with a pastor or other church member(s)
- Flip side: church members forming “wolf packs” against the pastor
- A feeling of “I’m not needed here”
- Particularly among singles and women
- Too much “seeker-friendliness”
- Everything is designed for beginners, little for long-term believers
- God somehow isn’t coming through
- Church makes you feel like a crappy Christian
- Not enough of seeing God’s promises coming true
- No transparency, leads people to suspect the worst
Some of the interesting Q&As:
Q. What are the three fastest-growing demographic groups?
A. This will vary by geographic area. Where the author lives (the suburbs of DC), the elderly, singles, and foreigners. How is the church reaching out to these groups?
Q. What advice do you offer?
A. We need to take on some of the groups that are being ignored. Don’t lose your best and most experienced people – ramp up the teaching and make it more sophisticated. The church should be geographically close – part of the community, in the sense that if you’re not there people notice. Find ways to draw people out of isolation, and don’t just target married people with children. Face-to-face meeting is important.
The “corporate model” of having professionals running each demographic department doesn’t work. It creates pastoral control freaks. For this reason the mega-churches won’t last. Intentional communities are a part of the picture for the future.
Q. What techniques are the successful groups using that work?
A. The Mormons teach their kids what to believe, the families are tight and stand by each other, and they go on missions. The Jehovah’s Witnesses reach out to people no one else wants. Both are not afraid of foreigners. The Assemblies of God/COGIC churches do evangelism and do the basics right; the Holy Spirit is permitted in worship; and there is a high percentage of daily Bible reading.
As an interesting side note, Julia mentioned that Alcoholics Anonymous is growing. They have a come-as-you-are approach, and you’re missed if you’re not there — a couple other suggestions for attracting people back to church.
What an interesting article. And what is even more interesting to me is how little I related even to the reasons people have quit going.
I became a Christian many years ago at the age of 23 and had 15 wonderful years interacting with other believers and churches. However, I no longer do so.
My main reason: I no longer see Jesus in the churches in my community. We have lived here for 21 years and been a serious part of 4 churches (different denominations, though all evangelistic) and visited many more.
However, with every one, though in different ways, we saw programs and contemporary “worship” but no genuine reaching out to newcomers (how long do you have to go regularly to stop being a newcomer?) and music that seemed to only want to reflect the pop culture.
We experienced great loneliness at the least and great pain at the worst. I might add that we are not weird or freaky — just a normal middle class family trying to raise normal kids in today’s culture.
We saw people caught up in pop culture, psychology, health foods, physical fitness, the green movement — but little of Jesus.
We saw NO teaching on the following essentials to what I call Kingdom Living: the futility of vanity; the destructive nature of pride, especially contrasted with Jesus’ humility; the emptiness of self-worship; the error of self-esteem parenting. I could go on and on. We heard of the Faithfulness of God; but His ways and words are there for a reason: to free us from our prisons of Self and the emptiness of living our own lives. But no one seemed to desire any of this. We felt surrounded by selfishness and greed (in many forms). We had teachings on our 4 temperaments but little on selflessness and friendship.
At any rate, after years of loneliness and pain from rejection (even though we were teachers, musicians, attended youth group, home groups, etc.), we finally asked ourselves why were we doing this. Eventually every one of our adult children that had grown up in these churches turned their backs on the Lord, citing their main reason as being the hypocrisy they saw in the lives of those they interacted with. They heard Doctrine, but saw little genuine care and compassion. Surface drivel on Sunday morning. Little else.
Until we are willing to lay aside our selfishness and creature comforts that stand in the way of truly fellowshipping with one another, lay down our own desires and demands and reach out to one another and become a part of each other’s lives and learn to truly worship at the feet of Jesus, I don’t have hope that any real change will take place.
I think today’s churches are reflective of us doing our thing and believe that Jesus is a very small part (if any) of what goes on in most church buildings on Sunday morning.
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks so much for your post. I think if she were here, the author would probably relate to much of what you’ve said (and wish she had interviewed you for her book!) “No longer see Jesus” in the church… wow. I know exactly what you mean, and it’s a sad commentary on the state of the church.
“I think today’s churches are reflective of us doing our thing…” I think you’re onto something important there. The rugged individualism, or as you say, the self-help/self-esteem mindset, are so much a part of our modern culture that Jesus’ words about all believers being one body *together* have been all but lost.
The question I keep asking is, what can be done? What would a Christ-like church look like? If I understand you correctly, churches would be more Christlike if they:
* were welcoming and helped people to feel at home
* planned worship (music + other elements) in a way that can be easily understood without pandering to the surrounding culture
* taught Scripture clearly and deeply
* treated ’causes’ (psychology, health foods, etc) as lay outreach projects rather than ministries of the church
* didn’t shy away from teaching and preaching difficult lessons such as serving others, self-sacrifice, and humility
* encouraged church members to be part of each others’ lives, not just on Sundays
….that’s some of what I see in your letter. What might you add or change?
There’s a part of me that thinks I may be called to help plant a church someday. In fact I was sketching out some ideas for it just this morning. I would love for it to have all the qualities listed above. And you’re right, it will probably not look like anything that church typically looks like. Maybe we’ll call it the “Un-Church”…?
There is so much I would like to say, but this is not the format for that. However, I would like to at least briefly respond to 2 or 3 things you mentioned.
First, as far as making newcomers “feel welcome,” I think this is irrelevant. If people truly are appreciated and included in what is happening within a church, they will feel welcome. I think today’s “welcome persons” actually contribute a phoniness to churches that is sad. I seldom see any real interaction beyond that initial “So glad to see you!” We have so much up front phoniness in our culture that we don’t even recognize it anymore. But the person on the receiving end does. Certainly smiles and “good mornings” as a natural part of interacting are in keeping, but these should be among everyone, anyway. Too much beyond that smacks of insincerity. Possibly an attended information table could be made available for strangers who do need direction or have questions. I acknowledge that there are some really needy people who do indeed need all the extra welcome glitz, but I maintain it is only because we have trained them for it.
Concerning worship music… I know the prevalent thought is that style is not important, but I disagree. God is a God of beauty and harmony and when music intended for worship is neither, then I do question whether God is really in it. Certainly there is flexibility for taste, but, as a musician, when I am selecting songs intended to glorify God and bring one to Him, my first criteria is always the beauty of the music. Then the words, which, yes, are extremely important. Beautiful music with bad words doesn’t get it. But I don’t care how good the words are, if the music is discordant or unpleasant, or too jivey (not to be confused with upbeat), I really question if this is a sweet aroma to God. I do not believe in praise teams. At best, they are a distraction. At worst, they are there to put on a show. If they are really there “just to lead,” they should be in the back behind the congregation. Yes, people would have to adapt. But they can. 🙂
Concerning Causes being peripheral to the church. In all honesty, I have become convinced through much praying and serious searching through scripture, that God really doesn’t care about the Causes our culture embraces today. If we lived our lives according to scriptural principles and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, these would take care of themselves. I think at best they are a distraction and at worst a prison that keeps his people in bondage and away from doing and being what he wants. In addition, I see virtually all of them being addressed in scripture at the very least in a negative way and at the worst as a sign of the Anti-Christ. I have no desire to embrace anything in my life (that I have control over) that scripture addresses in a negative way. (I could do a weekend conference on this one!)
Interestingly enough, I would actually apply your thoughts related to “not being afraid to teach and preach difficult lessons” to include these specific things. Some of the things I see holding God’s people back and not being addressed are greed, pride (often manifested in “principles” – another blog), selfishness, worldliness, lack of being content with what we have, standing up for our rights – all of which I not only see being exercised in today’s’ churches, but which I have sometimes heard actually being taught as good, though under different labels.
Peg, I was going to respond to your reply on a few things, but I think anniesrain says much of how I feel, though I am not sure I would have used some of the same wording.
However, it is definitely food for thought and I am going to think on her comments a bit.
Ladies,
Thanks for your replies. My first impulse is to want to address the pain and frustration you’ve both lived through in the various churches you’ve attended. I’m divided between wanting to say “I know how you feel, been there myself” and (now that I’m becoming one of ‘them’) wanting to apologize on behalf of the Church for some very un-Christlike behavior. But as Anniesrain says, this isn’t the format in which to air it all… it goes far too deep for public discussion. So I’ll just say I hear a lot in what both of you write that expresses a deep love for God.
To comment on some of the things Annie raises…
I agree church should be a no-phoniness zone, and sadly too often it’s not. When I mentioned church being “welcoming” what I meant was that people should be genuinely warm and open-hearted. The church I work for is like that — people often remark how friendly the congregation is, and they are. It doesn’t even matter much what’s preached from the pulpit (which has sometimes been a problem, and one I don’t recommend ignoring — I’m a firm believer in Biblical preaching!) people join because the congregation is genuinely kind and caring. They make people feel at home. It’s not something that can be manufactured or reproduced through ‘programs’. (I do wonder though how much of it might be taught via Scripture to congregations not as naturally outgoing as this one…)
Having said that, I don’t think I addressed your point about feeling appreciated and included, and wanted to ask if you could detail that a bit?
Re music – Speaking as someone who has been in church music professionally since 1980… Music has been an area of controversy in every church I’ve ever seen, no matter the denomination or the style of worship. I agree quality and beauty are top priority after consideration of the texts. Unfortunately ego, showiness, and shoddy preparation aren’t limited to praise teams! It’s essential to have a music director who places ministry above music while still maintaining musical quality, and who teaches the musicians to do the same. Given that, I’d also consider the musical language of the congregation and the backgrounds of available musicians when selecting music, and make it challenging but not foreign.
On causes – I agree God isn’t all that impressed by the causes the world thinks are important. OTOH the church needs to be active in its community and addressing the issues Jesus raised such as poverty, hunger, etc. I think what’s dangerous about causes is when they become more important to people than God, or more important to people than other people… or when spirituality is judged by level of devotion to the cause rather than devotion to God.
I agree with you both re greed being one of the greatest sins in the church today, and (sadly) only once in my life have I ever heard a sermon addressing it. And it’s followed closely by the hunger for power, and then by self-help pop psychology wrapped up in a spiritual sugar-coating. God help us! I think the root cause of a lot of this is spiritual immaturity — babes still on a milk diet, as Paul would say. The lack of meat, the lack of wanting to grow up into God and know Him more deeply, is troubling.
And that’s where I would like my future ministry to be. My ears are on.
Hi, Peg. I appreciate your heart very much, as well as your desire to make up for past wrongs done to me (and Charlotte). However, from my own part, I would like to reassure you that while I would be lying to say there has been no pain, I must emphasize that our Lord is loving and kind and merciful (and has been to me) and I know there are many who have been hurt a lot more than I have been. I’m OK.
I also appreciate very much your genuine probing for input as to how to make the church experience better for believers, especially in trying to draw new people in. As far as your question about being appreciated goes, I think having people regularly invite others to share meals (maybe after church, at home or elsewhere) or weekend picnics, etc.) is probably the best way this can be done. This opens the door for other interactions. This should be a church-wide natural phenomenon, not something assigned to those with the “gift of hospitality.” I am not talking about a gift. I am talking about scriptural admonition of us to welcome one another into our homes. (Another weekend seminar!) 🙂
Concerning causes… I know my words are strong and border on being harsh. However, this is something my husband and I came to see in scripture only after a great deal of praying and studying. I want to and hope that I have compassion towards those who get sidetracked here in ignorance and are simply living their lives as their consciences dictate. I know I have a more judgmental attitude towards those I see purposely trying to lead others along with them. I have to stay before the Lord asking Him to keep my heart right and to forgive me when I am being critical.
On an additional note here, I like your observation that it (causes) is a way of reaching out to others that might not normally cross my path. You are right and in some things that is valid and is a good tool. However, when the cause is something that I am convinced either is a lie being fed to our culture and is damaging to our lives (here, the green movement), or is directly unscriptural (the health food industry), then I would be hypocritical (and in my case, it simply doesn’t work) to try to join in with their enthusiasms. I am glad you see the emptiness of self-help pop psychology. That’s major and is something we ran into in every single church we were a part of. Jesus truly does has a psychology and psychiatry that is real and true and healing. The truth shall make you free. John 8:32
And for your future ministry. What an opportunity. I know it must be an exciting thought to know that yes, you do have a blank slate before you. If I were in your position, first of all I think I would read through the 4 gospels in a version that did NOT have commentary with it. References are ok, but no commentary. Not for this. And each time before I opened the Word, I would ask the Lord to please help me put aside all my preconceived ideas of what various passages mean and give me new light and understanding.
I personally would use KJV, with several other versions handy, as well as a Strongs, but that is only because after having used 3 or 4 modern versions extensively over the years, I have come to the conclusion that the KJV is the most accurate and certainly the one that conveys the most depth in meaning in the passages. (example: patience is usually translated perseverance. There is a huge difference and patience is usually the more accurate translation.) Then I would ask for a heart that is willing to change if necessary and for the strength to walk in the newness that would come forth from me. Our walk is always the biggest witness. You might read Edgar A. Guest’s “I’d Rather See a Sermon.”
I am convinced that the issues of poverty, corruption, and substance abuse are all internal spiritual issues and anything addressing them otherwise is simply bandaids that delay the healing processes. Would I intervene in specific cases that God seemed to put in my path. Definitely. Would I try to tackle large projects? Me? No. 🙂
I hope you will blog some of the struggles and successes you experience as you seek our Lord in this.
I, too, appreciate the heart I see in your blog, Peg. And find it refreshing. And, like her, I want to reassure you that the pain that was caused has been left behind and I am moving on with my life.
I think anniesrain has some excellent points, but I want to re-address the issue of causes. Actually, I do not think they should be a part of the church, even in a peripheral basis, if they are definitely unscriptural. (See why we didn’t fit in?? ) I think the problem is that we have become so pulled into the world’s mindset today, and have studied scripture with such blinders on, filtering everything we read through today’s beliefs, that we no long recognize error when it’s right in front of us.
He tells us over and over to trust Him. To trust Him. Yet most causes are based on fear.
Hebrews 4 addresses the concept of rest. I see this as a spiritual rest, not a physical one. It is a beautiful section of scripture and brings such peace to me when I simply rest in what I read and let it wash over me.
I do not want to become exhausted by man’s work and programs. Does that mean that I sit back and do nothing? Absolutely not. Actually I am very active in people’s lives. But I do it by singing to babies, picking up hitchhikers, having social events for families and singles so they can have some “free” fun and to encourage THEIR relating with each other, letting those who are hurting cry on my shoulders and encouraging them as much as I can. Inasmuch as is possible, for I AM human , I try to treat others the way I would like to be treated.
And finally, I think anniesrain’s idea of reading the 4 gospels is excellent. I encourage you to do so with pen in hand. Make notes. Write down the passages that trouble you – whether because they are difficult, or maybe because you simply do not believe what they say is true — or right. Be honest with God – and brutally so with yourself, possibly the most difficult.
Thank you both very much for your thoughts and insights. I’m pleased (tho not surprised) that your relationships with God are still going strong in spite of the mess church has become. He holds on to His own!
A few comments and then to start a new series of posts the two of you have inspired… 😉
Annie — re sharing food, I totally agree, and hope to make sharing meals a cornerstone in any church I help lead. Also hope to include free picnics on the lawn for the entire neighborhood now and then.
re causes – I have serious reservations about the Green movement myself. OTOH one of humanity’s primary assignments from God (after “be fruitful and multiply”) was to manage and tend the animal and plant life on earth. I think too often the church has taken sides with the money-makers (who view ecological concerns as a threat to the bottom line) and has abdicated its role in teaching people responsible care for nature. I’m not saying I think the church should start a movement to parallel Green, just that the issue needs to be addressed. (BTW I think maybe the two of you are in a different church culture than I am… around here the big cause to try to avoid is hyper-nationalism, the tendency to wrap Jesus up in the flag and ask people to kneel and salute at the same time. The Green movement has barely made its presence known in this neck of the woods!)
On the health food industry, what do you find unscriptural about it? Not disagreeing, just curious.
Instead of causes, I look for examples to things like our local community outreach group which was started by a handful of Christian housewives and provides food, clothing, assistance with utilities, and job training and placement for those in need in the community. It’s totally grassroots, operated on Scriptural principles, and until recently was run out of space donated by a church. (The new location is an old building that was flooded out and needed renovating.) They involve all the volunteers they can find — it’s something more real than just sending money or participating in “walks”.
Re: reading through the Gospels — I think this is probably some of the best advice I’ve received since starting seminary! I’m going to get started on it right away… in fact started reading yesterday… and will blog as I go along on the questions Charlotte suggested. Comments are welcome! I’ll be using the NKJV (along with other translations) plus a little of the original Greek.
I also like the idea of blogging the struggles and successes and will try to do that as well. (These can be harder to get a handle on…! Is the struggle over yet? Has it even begun in earnest? Does ‘XYZ’ count as a success?)
Charlotte – re: most causes being based on fear – AMEN!! I’ve recently begun to notice that, and am listening now (when the TV is on) to how many things — causes, news items, etc — are discussed/approached with a *deliberate* provoking of fear. It’s no wonder people feel dissatisfied with life, it’s impossible to live and thrive with constant fearmongering going on.
And ‘amen’ that the constant work on the causes and programs of the world is exhausting! His yoke is easy and His burden is light… often a good indicator of whether or not I’m on the right track.
Thanks again! Off to grab some lunch and then blog some Scripture.
Hi, Peg. I am loving having intellectual discourse with questions and discussions over new ideas and thoughts, new for me as well as possibly for you. I love having to gather my thoughts together.
I’ve been looking back over this entire dialogue and realize there are a few things I would like to share a bit more on. However, right now this week has been tremendously busy and I don’t see much time until the weekend.
With that in mind, I know I have several things to share on both the green movement (you’re lucky if it hasn’t taken over your political world as it has ours) and health foods as well. Plus a couple of other short thoughts. 🙂
Again, I am excited that you took the suggestion to read the 4 gospels again to heart. I’d like to offer the idea that you might keep in the back of your mind some of these specific issues that have been raised, especially as Jesus uses some analogies in parables He uses, as well as His specific words and situations He encounters.
Also, I am reminded particularly of I Corinthians Chapter 1. I must admit a partiality to this entire chapter and everything it encompasses. In re-reading it today, I was especially taken by verse 19, and in particular the 2nd part. Years ago, as a baby Christian, I readily absorbed the first part, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,” but had somehow just passed over the 2nd part, “and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” That alone is room for tremendous thought and meditation.
Do I think this means we should not try to be wise or exercise prudence in our lives? No. But I do sincerely believe we should not put any……any……confidence or trust in that wisdom or prudence. Therefore, how much should it really direct our actions? Or possibly where do we fit the Holy Spirit in? Food for thought? “Health food’? (Couldn’t resist!!)
Enough. Be back later.
Hi Charlotte,
I’m a big fan of all of I Corinthians. 🙂 Absolutely true that our wisdom is nothing next to God or in the face of eternity. I think that was Paul’s point in I Corinthians 13: “in the end only three things remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.” Worldly wisdom misses God’s point entirely.
I look forward to reading more when you have a moment to write.
Hi, Peg. You were asking about my reasons for thinking that the health food industry is unscriptural. I am happy to share some of my thoughts with you, but you must realize these are only the tip of the iceberg for me. The bottom line here is trust and that is a huge discussion. The concepts are fairly few and simple. But the far-reaching ramifications are tremendous, such as throwing a pebble in a body of water and watching the ripples.
One other thing I would like to make clear is that I do not advocate a junk food lifestyle as an alternative any more than I would advocate being extremely rich over being extremely poor. Honest discussion on food must include the concept of self-control, self-indulgence, and gluttony. I am simply saying that there is nothing wrong with “normal” food that people have to be afraid of and that “eating healthy” is not in itself superior spiritually—or for you physically, for that matter. I put forth that buying and eating “normal” food that is available at “normal” prices is a better way for Christians to live, freeing up time, person, and money for better use of God than the health cult (which I believe it is) allows.
I am posting 3 links here that I encourage you to look at when you have time. The first is my case for the concept of purposely “eating healthy” (meaning natural and organic) being unscriptural.
http://healthfoodscriptures.blogspot.com/2009/08/scriptural-challenges-to-health-food.html
The second is a modern day parable I have written illustrating, rather poorly actually, but the best I could do, a typical scenario I see acted out fairly frequently in different forms.
http://annie-raining.blogspot.com/2009/08/parable-of-picnic.html
The third is a more comprehensive list of scriptures, (without my commentary ) of more scriptures that have left me with this firm conviction.
Please know that I don’t think this has anything to do with eternity. My only desire is to see people set free from self-imposed fences that actually do serve to hamper their relationships with other people. I personally know several people who will not eat at other people’s houses (not just mine ) because they are not organic. (I actually try to include “safe” stuff when I have meals, but it can add unnecessary stress.) And I think it is sad that today’s (American) church accepts this mindset without question and often gears its activities around its confines. In fact, there is often rather a smugness (and horror even) expressed towards those who have not “seen the light.”
I have seen people bring contributions to events that were rejected because they were not good enough. And I readily admit that I have to continually be on guard myself of being guilty of the same sin of self-righteousness in my own convictions.
Let me close this one with II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” And, yes, you are very right, as in your above comment to Charlotte on I Corinthians 13: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love. Without that love, all of our vain ramblings in the world are nothing.
Forgot the 3rd link. 🙂
http://healthfoodscriptures.blogspot.com/2009/08/scriptures-for-thought.html
Hi Annie,
Thanks for the details and the links on health foods. My apologies this reply is so short — will be leaving shortly on a 300 mile journey to visit my dad who is heading into surgery later this week — will give a more detailed and worthy answer soon.
In the meantime I think I can now see why the health-food craze hasn’t made much inroad here: there are too many ethnic groups around here. It’s impossible to live in Western PA and not eat such things as pierogies, halushki, Italian sausage, kielbasa, ham bar-be-que… the old ladies (babushkas) simply won’t take “no” for an answer. 😉 The health food gurus would be having panic attacks if they knew what was in this stuff! But it has kept many generations of factory workers (and now office workers) alive and healthy.
Anyway, more to come soon and thanks again!
Thanks, and may our Lord bless your trip and your time with your dad. I know that will mean much to him. Loved your food examples. They sound delicious!
Hi ladies,
Thanks for your patience! I’m back and settled in again and pleased to report Dad’s surgery, and our visit, went well. He’s not out of the woods yet but this is one step in the right direction.
Getting back to health foods… Annie, am I understanding you correctly if I summarize your objections by saying people are using health food as a way to exclude others, to look down on others, as a form of one-upsmanship, and (if you get right down to it) a form of idolatry? You’re not objecting to eating a healthy, well-balanced diet… you’re just saying that the stuff sold in health food stores is for the most part overkill. And the other major problem is that the health food craze focuses peoples’ attention inward on themselves — their own food, their own bodies, etc — instead of outwards towards God. And on top of that it’s wasteful financially. Is that a fair summary?
If so for the most part I tend to agree with you. I have a health food nut or two in the family but they’re not the obnoxious sort. I personally don’t follow any health food regimen but I do prefer whole grain products and garden-fresh fruits and veggies (and I have no idea if my back yard soil is organic or not, LOL!) But I also have major weaknesses for ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, key lime pie, Starbucks’, and the above-mentioned pierogies. I know I could (and probably should) eat more healthy than I do…. but I agree with you, it’s really not worth making a fuss over when I’m eating with other people. On the whole probably the most healthy thing I could do would be to keep eating the same diet and just cut down on the portion sizes.
I do think the health food thing can border on obsession at times, as can fitness and a number of other things that are good things until taken to extremes. It might be interesting to spend some time considering the question of why modern society seems to have such a strong tendency towards obsessive behavior…….?
I think your quote from II Timothy is right on the mark and can be applied to just about every issue and fad in popular culture today. So much is based in fear nowadays, it’s no wonder people walk around with dark clouds hanging over their heads. I think this is a major area that needs to be addressed in ministry…. one I’m keeping an eye on as I work my way through school.
Peg, you have hit the nail on the head. Beautiful summary. The only comment I might add to that is that I don’t think anyone I know is intentionally using the health food issue to exclude people. I really don’t. I just see it as a natural consequence, at least here in America, in the middle-class settings I am usually in.
I am reminded of another passage in 2nd Timorthy 3:1-7, another passage on the end times. Here Paul speaks of the last days, concluding with the comment in vs 7, “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Powerful. Vs 6 mentions “divers lusts.” Too often we limit lusting to sexual connotations. However, we can lust after anything, including knowledge, which I know you realize.
And finally, your last sentence is really encouraging to me. At times I feel so much like a voice in the wilderness. And I know I have to work on not being obsessed by my own reactions. That is just as damaging to a believer’s walk. As you so well said, without love, we truly are nothing.
I am glad your dad’s surgery and your visit went well. I pray he continues to do well.
Annie, thanks for your latest. It means a lot to me to know other people are seeing some of the same things I am… some mutual encouragement happening here. “Ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth” — man is that apropos of our times!
When you have a moment take a look at some of my recent posts which are based on your suggestion re: approaching the Gospels with a fresh eye. I’ve started in Matthew, and tagged them all under “meditations”… let me know what you think.
Hi, Peg. I was going to get back with you but time has passed too quickly. I am amazed at what you are accomplishing on this website.
I realize the few thoughts I might have added (which I was going to go back to) are really covered elsewhere and don’t wish to be guilty of too much hot air. (One of my many faults!)
I hope your dad continues to do well.
I am be blessed by your meditations.