S
SSTeacher
Guest
There was once a man who was shipwrecked. He was able to swim to the proverbial island and there he managed to remain alive for some years until the joyful day arrived when some sailors on a passing vessel spotted his makeshift distress flag and came to his rescue. While congratulating him upon his survival they noticed that a few yards from his tiny hut he’d erected a much grander edifice.
“That’s my church!” was his proud response to their question.
As the helpful mariners put out to sea another structure at the far end of the island came into view.
“So what’s that building, then?” they asked the former castaway.
And he replied with deep emotion: “That’s the church I used to go to!”
It’s a silly story and it’s often repeated inside Protestant Christendom. Churchgoers do sometimes become church leavers, of course, and while it’s not unreasonable to suppose that the reason for the exit might be a subjective and trivial one on the part of the individual, it’s also possible that the problem might lie with the church. Perhaps the latter is more likely since church attendance across all denominations is rapidly falling.
Some speculation seems to be in order. Here’s a question. Is the lack of interest in church that’s very evident these days connected with the fact that many churches have neglected teaching in favor of entertainment? It seems quite possible. Consider this exchange.
Inquirer: So tell me, on what do you base your faith?
Insider: Oh, I don’t get into all that doctrine stuff.
Inquirer: What? You don’t think doctrine is important?
Insider. Of course not! Who needs that junk? It just causes arguments.
Inquirer: How … How… How amazingly relevant! Are you a theologian, then?
Insider: No, I’m the drummer in our church’s praise and worship band.
Inquirer: I’m so honored to be in your presence. Can I have your autograph?
Insider: Sure. Just lend me a pen, cross my palm with a twenty–dollar love offering, and we’ll both be blessed. Mind you, it’s not about me. It’s about those lost souls out there that I’ve been called to reach with my rhythmic talent and seeker–friendly bongos.
Inquirer: Wow! Thanks for explaining it so clearly and so articulately. You know, I hadn’t thought about it until now but what you’re doing is really quite ingenious.
Insider: Is it?
Inquirer: Absolutely. You’re using cultural mediums to convey unchanging truths.
Insider: Say what?
Inquirer: You’re ensuring your message gets to the people by using the available resources, tools and symbols that connect with contemporary secular ideology.
Insider: Huh? Errr… Oh, I see where you’re getting mixed up. There are five of us and we all try to express ourselves individually through our music but I’m the only one with cymbals. John plays lead, Paul plays base, George plays rhythm and Bubba plays the harpoon. We’ve already brought out three CDs. And we’re thinking about getting into Gothic. Christian Gothic, that is.
And there you have it.
Objective observers might have noticed that there are duets, trios, quartets, groups, troupes, actors, actresses, storytellers, comedians, comediennes, bands, and mime artists all prefixing their act with the word “Christian” and all wanting to come to a church near you and perform – not to mention give you the opportunity to purchase their CDs and DVDs (and please know that you’re free to do this without restraint so may you be truly blessed as you purchase these amazingly godly bargains and don’t forget to write your checks for gigantic amounts because that’s a huge blessing, too, brothers and sisters).
But… Everybody’s doing it.
Indeed they are. And fifty million lemmings couldn’t possibly be wrong, could they? Somebody say Amen.
Well, that’s the scenario often found on the Protestant side of the Reformation these days. But I was wondering. Is the picture inside Catholicism in any way similar?
Curiously,
Mick
P.S. Amen
“That’s my church!” was his proud response to their question.
As the helpful mariners put out to sea another structure at the far end of the island came into view.
“So what’s that building, then?” they asked the former castaway.
And he replied with deep emotion: “That’s the church I used to go to!”
It’s a silly story and it’s often repeated inside Protestant Christendom. Churchgoers do sometimes become church leavers, of course, and while it’s not unreasonable to suppose that the reason for the exit might be a subjective and trivial one on the part of the individual, it’s also possible that the problem might lie with the church. Perhaps the latter is more likely since church attendance across all denominations is rapidly falling.
Some speculation seems to be in order. Here’s a question. Is the lack of interest in church that’s very evident these days connected with the fact that many churches have neglected teaching in favor of entertainment? It seems quite possible. Consider this exchange.
Inquirer: So tell me, on what do you base your faith?
Insider: Oh, I don’t get into all that doctrine stuff.
Inquirer: What? You don’t think doctrine is important?
Insider. Of course not! Who needs that junk? It just causes arguments.
Inquirer: How … How… How amazingly relevant! Are you a theologian, then?
Insider: No, I’m the drummer in our church’s praise and worship band.
Inquirer: I’m so honored to be in your presence. Can I have your autograph?
Insider: Sure. Just lend me a pen, cross my palm with a twenty–dollar love offering, and we’ll both be blessed. Mind you, it’s not about me. It’s about those lost souls out there that I’ve been called to reach with my rhythmic talent and seeker–friendly bongos.
Inquirer: Wow! Thanks for explaining it so clearly and so articulately. You know, I hadn’t thought about it until now but what you’re doing is really quite ingenious.
Insider: Is it?
Inquirer: Absolutely. You’re using cultural mediums to convey unchanging truths.
Insider: Say what?
Inquirer: You’re ensuring your message gets to the people by using the available resources, tools and symbols that connect with contemporary secular ideology.
Insider: Huh? Errr… Oh, I see where you’re getting mixed up. There are five of us and we all try to express ourselves individually through our music but I’m the only one with cymbals. John plays lead, Paul plays base, George plays rhythm and Bubba plays the harpoon. We’ve already brought out three CDs. And we’re thinking about getting into Gothic. Christian Gothic, that is.
And there you have it.
Objective observers might have noticed that there are duets, trios, quartets, groups, troupes, actors, actresses, storytellers, comedians, comediennes, bands, and mime artists all prefixing their act with the word “Christian” and all wanting to come to a church near you and perform – not to mention give you the opportunity to purchase their CDs and DVDs (and please know that you’re free to do this without restraint so may you be truly blessed as you purchase these amazingly godly bargains and don’t forget to write your checks for gigantic amounts because that’s a huge blessing, too, brothers and sisters).
But… Everybody’s doing it.
Indeed they are. And fifty million lemmings couldn’t possibly be wrong, could they? Somebody say Amen.
Well, that’s the scenario often found on the Protestant side of the Reformation these days. But I was wondering. Is the picture inside Catholicism in any way similar?
Curiously,
Mick
P.S. Amen