A Do-Over for the Church

In our series, "Do-Over" we have been seeking a second chance in different areas of our lives. From our spiritual life to our finances we all need a another shot to do better. The same goes for the "Church".

One Life is just one of many, many local churches around the world. Each church has its strengths and weaknesses, usually due to key leaders. One Life is no exception. Ask me and others in our church family and we can tell you pretty honesty where God has given us grace to excel and where we need His grace to improve. But, beyond our individual churches, we are a part of a vast movement of churches around the world. When you compile the statistical data (The American Church in Crisis) and poll people for their opinion (UnChristian) you find a certain trend in the results. The American Church is not doing well.

I am not trying to be a "Chicken Little" running around proclaiming doom, but I do want to be honest. I am filled with great hope and anticipation at what our All-knowing God is up to in strengthening and re-directing the Church. Yet, I do feel a sense of duty to call, those of us who choose to make the local church a significant part of our spiritual formation, to address the reality we are faced with today. So here are a few observations I made this last Sunday. I will blog again (with more hope) later this week, so don't go get depressed or get defensive. But, I would like compassionate feedback.

1. World is more skeptical than we want to admit
2. People are more disillusioned than we want to admit
3. Church is more irrelevant than we want to admit
4. Christians are to blame than we want to admit

Because of this we have:

1. A world that is in great need
2. People that are desperate and empty
3. A Church that is preoccupied and shrinking
4. Christians that are distracted and ineffective

Grace and Peace,
Troy