I just finished reading Unchurching by Richard Jacobson. When I say 'just', I mean within the last 60 minutes. So this one is really fresh on the brain.
There is a lot I liked about this book. The author is absolutely correct in stating that there is something seriously wrong with the way most American Christians do church. The megachurch model that many attempt to follow is seriously flawed and continues to do more harm than good.
One of the biggest issues Jacobson points out is that most churches fail on the community part. And he's right. We come up with so many different ideas, plans, programs and gimmicks to improve community within our churches, yet none ever seem to work. Some make things worse. He also points out that few churches are even set up to be communities where all believers are able to share and use their specific spiritual gifts. Once again, I can only nod my head and agree. It is sad, but we chase more after the large crowds rather than focusing on building up and maturing a group of believers.
Churches have also become little more than corporations. Many have gone to the extent in order to protect themselves by accepting the US governments official acknowledgement as a 501(c)3 corporation. Something I'm completely against. But, hey, what does minimal government Sith lord know about that danger?
Bottom line: we are doing church wrong. Church has become a shadow of what she should be. So what are the solutions, if any? Jacobson prefers a non-church, or house church that is nothing like church solution. But, I don't think that is the answer, either.
All tradition is not bad. When we forget the purpose of a tradition and only focus on mindlessly repeating that tradition for its own sake, it ceases to be tradition and becomes empty ritual. When tradition serves a purpose, and people are continually reminded of its importance and purpose, then tradition is good. Yes, a lot of our so-called traditions are worthless and should be down away with, but not all.
Too often, instead of being a truly local church with its own uniqueness and tradition, we attempt to copy and model our local assembly of believers after something other megachurch outfit. This needs to stop. It doesn't help you, or the people that attend with your. It does not build up and mature believers.
Yes, we need to get back to true community of believers, but not to the extent where we do little but create an echochamber with little to no contact with those outside the church. There is a great advantage in living in communities where we are surrounded by unbelievers: we have the opportunity to be in contact with them and reach out to them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I think UNCHURCHING is an important book. Pastors, elders, deacons, and other church leaders need to read it and take a good look in the mirror. What are we doing wrong? How can we fix it? You may not like or agree with everything Richard Jacobson has to say, but you need to read it and figure out what changes you need to make as an individual believers as well as a church.
The Reading Sith
