Where Love Begins
According to the Pew Research Center’s recently released report, a full one-fifth of Americans are now unattached to religion, and the Protestant majority is no longer that; Protestant Christians now make up less than 50% of the population.
News agencies reported this news as statistical facts with maybe a raised eyebrow of curiosity while some agnostics celebrated the dawn of a new secularism. Meanwhile, fretful pulpiteers wrung their sweaty hands as they thundered to their shrinking congregations about the end of Christianity, threats against morality, and this trend that confirms that the apocalypse is upon us.
The illustrious Garrison Keillor had the cleverest response of all. If the statistics are true, he mused, then it means the death of the some of the world’s finest cuisine: The end of church potluck dinners. While some mourned over the condition of souls, he crooned with tongue deeply in cheek, his concern was the future of Lutheran casseroles.
Well, it seems the statistics are correct, and those of us who spend time in the church know it, and know it is no laughing matter. We don’t need an exhaustive study to confirm that the church is dwindling. A growing population is indeed unengaged with organized religion. They aren’t necessarily atheistic, nor are they antagonistic toward faith. They are simply uninvolved.
Why? Some of it is demographic, related to the age of our transitioning generations. Some of it is the natural evolvement of a Western society, and the result of an increasingly diverse nation. But frankly, and this cannot be ignored, the church has earned this decline all by its institutional self.
The Pew Report confirms that the religiously unaffiliated think that religious organizations are “too concerned with money and power, too focused on rules, and too involved in politics.” As one deeply committed to the Christian faith, I could not more heartily agree; I say, “Amen.”
Combine this study with the respected statistics of the Barna Research Group (which is an evangelical think tank), and the situation becomes clearer still. According to Barna, those unaffiliated with religion use several primary words to describe Christianity, words that include: “Anti-gay, judgmental, hypocritical, and insensitive.”
I know not every Christian behaves harshly toward others. The most gracious, caring, and welcoming people I have ever met are Christians, fixed firmly within the institution. But I admit that the most obnoxious, hateful, and critical individuals I have ever met are also religious people. This has to change.
“Change,” you ask? “Are you saying we should change our beliefs just to salvage our fleeting market share?” No. Market share has nothing to do with it, but how we treat others has everything to do with it. How can we who follow the loving, open-hearted, redemptive Christ be anything but loving, open-hearted, and redemptive people?
The longer I do this kind of work, and the longer I see these kinds of recent statistics, the more strongly I feel that the last thing most communities need is just another religious institution: An institution that pounds the pulpit and its parishioners with unyielding dogma; that points fingers, condemns, and excludes others from the love of God; that can never confess its shortcomings, admit when it has been wrong, or meet people where they are rather than demanding that people come to it.
No, communities don’t need more hardened, inflexible places like these; but every community needs simple, uncomplicated, receptive places. Every community needs launch pads of empowerment and liberation. Every community needs a communion of friendship, freedom, and faith that will build bridges of grace to the world, not boundaries of separation and marginalization. Simply, every community needs a place of radical hospitality and attraction that welcomes all to know a loving God.
I call these places “church.” Yes, I know, some churches are far better at being judgmental religious institutions than being living bodies of service and compassion, but my hope endures. My hope endures because where hardened institutionalism ends, love can begin, and the love of God is the most attractive force in the universe.
Ronnie McBrayer is a syndicated columnist, speaker, and author of multiple books. You can read more and receive regular e-columns in your inbox at www.ronniemcbrayer.me.
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Ignoring God?
A carefully planned effort on God’s part,
has failed again. Someone must be listening,
for His efforts to be heard. Over the last 100
Years, God has tried countless times to get
The attention of His believers. Though no one
seemed to notice;
There was an earthquake in San Francisco.
No response.
Two freak airplane wrecks occurred that
caused both pilot’s cabin to be complete
torn off both planes. One in the east and
One in the west. Something to joke about.
No response.
New Orleans was soaked with a try for
attention but many were saved, only
because of the masses crying out to God
for help. Their own country would not
help them.
No response.
Hostages were taken and held 444 days
as foretold in the Bible. In the same time
period, the whole top blew off Mt. Saint
Helen, as foretold in the Bible.
No Response.
The day the towers fell, Many cries were
heard and many approached God asking
for revenge. No public words were said,
asking for God’s reason. The falling towers
were foretold, in the Bible.
No Response.
The only time, man has been brought to his
knees, in this great land of freedom, was
the dust bowl. The people finally realized,
God is in control.
God left some signs that blank out the
Big Bang theory. Have you ever looked
At a flat globe map? Do it. If you don’t
See the pictures, God left as a sign,
You must be spiritually blind. Check out
The giant prehistoric bird of prey. And
While you’re at it, check out the giant
Dragon. One’s carrying a large hive and
the other is eating from a large honey
nest. Imagination? God don’t think so.
It’s time to wake up, Christians, or God
Will really get your attention.
Lord?
Please?
Where in this Hell have all the true believers gone?
Are you a real Christian?
Stand up.
Or Jesus will not know you.
.
Wake Up!
…I just made such a strong statement, it
seems everyone is in shock. How does this
lowly human think he has the right to go
against today’s common thought? What gives
him the right to believe he can talk and
listen to Jesus and His Father, God?
..It’s OK for the believers on this earth
to think a chosen few get to talk to them.
If you give enough to the church, you might
even get to go to Heaven. Some even think
there is only one way to get to Heaven and
that’s with the help of a preacher.
…If you search the words God left, in the
Bible, you will find at least two meanings
for everything written. The “Holy People”
have taken control of God’s House and
written their own rules.
.. Most of today’s churches have relaxed
God’s word to the extent, there is no
longer a need to repent. They have also
convinced themselves that works are a thing
of the past. Most quote Paul and believe
works is something that no longer has value.
In the New Testament, a whole chapter is
written about faith and works. The second
chapter of James has been completely ignored.
..Now all you have to do, is say you know
who Jesus is, fill the offering plate, and
don’t worry. You now have a passkey to the
Gates of Heaven. Today’s way of belief is,
You don’t even have to try. An untold truth,
that only the “Holy People” control, will
save us all.
…Why don’t you use common sense and some
reasoning? Why would God come to this earth,
in the form of His Son, give humans the
chance to live again, then make it so easy
to do? Don’t forget. He was killed for
spreading love and making the offer of life.
…No, I am not trying to explain all
about religion. Religion is a lifetime
study of something that no one seems
to understand. I am telling you how
to meet my friend, Jesus.
“How about trying to Wake Up?”
…God gave His Son to die on the cross so
your God can live inside you. It’s really
very simple. It’s one on one. If you
believe that truth over powers evil, then
quit evil, ask and Jesus will enter your
heart.
..Now that you have met Jesus, you must
have good Intentions and be willing to
live for goodness. Ask Him in, believe
He’s there and talk to Him inside yourself.
It’s God’s promise, if you ask, He will
enter.
..Okay, you ask Him. Do you think God
would put His Son inside your heart,
and make Him mute? Not hardly. Some
(most?) people think the voice you hear
inside yourself is your conscience.
Granted. That is what it is called,
so it can be explained.
…After you have Jesus inside your
heart, you must use His name to talk
to His Father. You must ask His Father
to put His Son’s voice inside you, so
you can hear Him. Then believe it.
Jesus says in the Bible, “My Sheep
Know My Voice.” That is where doubt
comes in. When you hear the voice of
Jesus, you can’t doubt it. You must
believe. As long as you are seeking
Jesus or the voice of Jesus, You are
covered by God’s Grace. God knows the
difference. It is something the devil
can’t fake.
…I know what the problems of doubt
are. Over the years I have doubted
many times, but Jesus has always been
there for me. When you believe in Jesus
and His Father, your problems are not
over. They are just beginning. When you
live for Jesus, you must also believe,
the devil is very real. He will try In
every way to spoil your belief. Then
you must remember, you are no longer
alone.
…Even if you can’t believe what I
say, think about it. Jesus and His
Father are waiting to meet you.</
…Meaning no disrespect at all, I have no
idea on how to change the truth and it still
be the truth. If you have any thoughts on how
to change this and make it appear as a truthful
thought that is said so it can be excepted, please
help.
Wake Up!
…I just made such a strong statement, it
seems everyone is in shock. How does this
lowly human think he has the right to go
against today’s common thought? What gives
him the right to believe he can talk and
listen to Jesus and His Father, God?
..It’s OK for the believers on this earth
to think a chosen few get to talk to them.
If you give enough to the church, you might
even get to go to Heaven. Some even think
there is only one way to get to Heaven and
that’s with the help of a preacher.
…If you search the words God left, in the
Bible, you will find at least two meanings
for everything written. The “Holy People”
have taken control of God’s House and
written their own rules.
.. Most of today’s churches have relaxed
God’s word to the extent, there is no
longer a need to repent. They have also
convinced themselves that works are a thing
of the past. Most quote Paul and believe
works is something that no longer has value.
In the New Testament, a whole chapter is
written about faith and works. The second
chapter of James has been completely ignored.
..Now all you have to do, is say you know
who Jesus is, fill the offering plate, and
don’t worry. You now have a passkey to the
Gates of Heaven. Today’s way of belief is,
You don’t even have to try. An untold truth,
that only the “Holy People” control, will
save us all.
…Why don’t you use common sense and some
reasoning? Why would God come to this earth,
in the form of His Son, give humans the
chance to live again, then make it so easy
to do? Don’t forget. He was killed for
spreading love and making the offer of life.
…No, I am not trying to explain all
about religion. Religion is a lifetime
study of something that no one seems
to understand. I am telling you how
to meet my friend, Jesus.
“How about trying to Wake Up?”
…God gave His Son to die on the cross so
your God can live inside you. It’s really
very simple. It’s one on one. If you
believe that truth over powers evil, then
quit evil, ask and Jesus will enter your
heart.
..Now that you have met Jesus, you must
have good Intentions and be willing to
live for goodness. Ask Him in, believe
He’s there and talk to Him inside yourself.
It’s God’s promise, if you ask, He will
enter.
..Okay, you ask Him. Do you think God
would put His Son inside your heart,
and make Him mute? Not hardly. Some
(most?) people think the voice you hear
inside yourself is your conscience.
Granted. That is what it is called,
so it can be explained.
…After you have Jesus inside your
heart, you must use His name to talk
to His Father. You must ask His Father
to put His Son’s voice inside you, so
you can hear Him. Then believe it.
Jesus says in the Bible, “My Sheep
Know My Voice.” That is where doubt
comes in. When you hear the voice of
Jesus, you can’t doubt it. You must
believe. As long as you are seeking
Jesus or the voice of Jesus, You are
covered by God’s Grace. God knows the
difference. It is something the devil
can’t fake.
…I know what the problems of doubt
are. Over the years I have doubted
many times, but Jesus has always been
there for me. When you believe in Jesus
and His Father, your problems are not
over. They are just beginning. When you
live for Jesus, you must also believe,
the devil is very real. He will try In
every way to spoil your belief. Then
you must remember, you are no longer
alone.
…Even if you can’t believe what I
say, think about it. Jesus and His
Father are waiting to meet you.</
TAKE HEED:
….It seems the American people are being protected
from the bare facts of the TRUTH. Even tho the Truth
is still spoken by true believers, it is not allowed
to be spread to the masses. This post has been deleted
many times before, but maybe on this “Day Of Christ”
it may be allowed.
God’s Last Warning?
The United States has fought many countries
for acts of inhuman actions against their
own people. Humans are supposed to have
certain rights, under God,that can not be
denied.
…Now it is time to expose a monster crime,
against our own people. It has been reported,
since 1973 there has been 53 million babies
aborted in the name of free rights. Women
have the right to abort any baby that is not
wanted. Murder.
…The excuse used to justify this mass murder?
Life don’t start until the baby is developed
to a certain stage. They state the baby does
not have a soul until a certain time. The main
theme in their story? When does life start?
…If this question was asked in any part of the
World but ours, they would laugh.
…Life does not start. It continues.
…If Hitler killed less than ten million, and
he has been declared as the filth of time,
what does that make us? So far this nation
has killed fifty three million and counting.
…If these facts are not given to the people,
they will not know why God has condemned
this country. Already, earth quakes and
other attempts from God to get our attention
has failed. Thousands of dead birds falling
From the sky didn’t even rate the front page
more than once.No one cares.
Remember the cities God deleted?
He did it with fire and ash. The last time God
Managed to get the attention of this country,
He did it with a dust bowl.
Repent.
Lord? Please?
Where have all the true believers gone?
Are you a real Christian?
Stand up.
Or Jesus will not know you.
.