I'm reading through "The Present Future" by Reggie McNeal, in preparation for meeting him later this month. I thought I would blog my way through the book and highlight some of his thoughts.
New Reality #1: The Collapse of the Church Culture
"In their mind [the people outside of the church], the church is a club for religious people where club members can celebrate their traditions and hang out with others who share common thinking and lifestyles. They do not automatically think of the church as championing the cause of poor people or healing the sick or serving people. These are things they associate with Jesus. They believe the church is out for itself, looking out more for the institution than for people."
His basic conclusion is that the trappings of "church" as we know it are dying, and it's time to change or die with it. No longer can we rely on the "if you build it, they will come" model. We need to focus less on the church and more on Jesus.
I'll admit, this is one of those subtle mindsets than can trap me. I get so concerned about growing that I focus on growing and not on Jesus. I want our church to be well respected in the community, but I lose sight that, really, it's Jesus that needs to be the focus.
More to follow...
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