Ministry News

Co-opted by the Wrong Culture

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Tuesday, 11 August 2009 12:15

QUOTE: "While the megachurch has some unique dynamics, most medium-sized and smaller churches in America are not that much different in demographics. It's not as if no young people attend smaller churches, or as if every member of a smaller church is an active volunteer! And many a smaller church chases after 'strategies and programs' that can 'meet spiritual needs' and 'multiply effectiveness.' As it turns out, the megachurch is like a megaphone. It is not so much an aberrant form of church as a large, flashing icon of the American church. It's no secret that too many evangelical leaders are captivated more by business culture than biblical culture, spending more time absorbed in strategies and effectiveness and relatively little time in prayer. No, it doesn't have to be an either-or situation, but let's face it, it often is. This is not the first time in history that a church has struggled with the insidious effects of culture. Maybe we should stop either cheerleading for the megachurch, as if it's the answer, or pointing fingers at it, as if it's the problem. Each American church in its own way has been co-opted and fallen short of the glory of God. Once we all admit that, the Spirit can start working with us to create a gospel culture in our churches." —a Christianity Today editorial on how America's business-minded, numbers-driven culture has negatively affected both large and small churches [christianitytoday.com, 8/6/09]