We’ve certainly been inundated with news on the need for a financial bailout of Wall Street and the credit markets during the last two weeks. However, not much is being said about a remedy for “spiritual bailout”.
All major denominations are reporting a drop in attendance. Johnny Hunt is the new President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He was asked by a reporter, “How do you feel?” Hunt responded by saying, “I feel like the Captain of the Titanic!”
Dr. Ed Stetzer works full time in researching this problem, and his results and blog are located at www.lifewayresearch.com. “Can the Church Close the Back Door?” is a classic article on the subject of “spiritual bailout”.
Sadly, “church growth” is a multi-million dollar business, but church is not growing. If there is any growth, it’s primarily from “sheep hopping”, or folks moving from one church to another.
Take a look at www.unchristian.com and see why folks that are 18-29 are “chunking” church in record numbers. These are people who were raised in church, but have concluded “it didn’t work”.
I saw two church signs this week that certainly make me entertain the notion of “bailing out”. One side states, “Hell is a party, and you are the barbecue!” The other side states, “You better turn before you burn!” Would you be inclined to attend that “warm and friendly” church? If you attend that church, do you invite your neighbors?
The other sign stated, “Celebrating 100 Years of Holiness”. Could you meet that standard? I certainly understand the theological intent as Jesus meets the standard-not me, but will that advertising message keep the flock or encourage growth?
Think of the impact if one of those signs stated, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Ps 56:8 New Living Translation. Side A of the sign might read, “He has a bottle filled with you tears!” Side B might read, “He keeps track of all your sorrows.”
The one thing I’ve learned in twenty-seven years of marketing is that the “headline” is critical to the decision to engage!
How can you impact the “spiritual bailout”?
Never forget, “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:3 New Living Bible
Someone may be making a bailout decision right now based on “your letter”.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I would agree that these “marketing” techniques may not be the best. I do tend to act on the theory that you catch more flies with honey. However, I do believe that Christians are often accused of Bible thumping when they simply remind others of the truth of the Bible which is not always popular or easy to swallow. I agree that this should be communicated in love. My concern is that sometimes I use love as a cop out to avoid speaking the truth that God has given me simply because I am afraid and hate conflict. If you had the cure for a terminal disease that I had, I would want to hear it no matter how hard it might be to hear and endure it. That would be love to me.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Lisa,
Great points. I believe you are correct about speaking truth into people’s lives. The problem that alot of Christians have is missing the fellowship aspect that coincides with ‘truth speaking’. I believe we need to develop relationships FIRST, then build trust, then speak truth. Relationships are the cornerstone. Not everyone we meet and minister to will become a Christian. If they see Jesus in us through our actions, Jesus still wins!
Thanks for commenting, and thanks for your great article this issue!
Jason
Editor
Transparent Christian Magazine
October 6th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Jason,
I agree totally. Relationships require time and an investment of ourselves. Laying down what “we” want some time. Thanks for that reminder!
October 6th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Lisa,
It’s something I struggle with. Do you NOT say something to someone out of fear of offending, and thereby missing a chance to help? I work myself into a lather sometimes trying to help someone that doesn’t want it… It’s in God’s hands. I’ve just learned to seek relationships and let it be God’s timing and not mine. I find it very challenging though. Great dialog.
Jason
October 31st, 2008 at 5:44 am
“Celebrating 100 Years of Holiness”. That one was probably the church I have been in for 65 years. October this year, it has been 100 years. What turns me off from listening to some of the “religious” stuff on TV in the message… “I believe there are 1000 people listening just now who are going to receive a blessing by sending seed money of $1000.” Sounds more like a con artist. I would rather be tapped on the side of my head with a Bible with a gentle nudge indicating ,”Son, you could improve your life if you stayed a little closer to my side.”
I have learned to listen to the still small voice and let Him lead me into a conversation as He sees fit. It generally doesn’t take much listening to know the need of a person. I was sitting in B&N a while back. There were four chairs sitting around a big low table and I was fortunate enough to be occupying one of the chairs. A mother and a daughter were in two of the other chairs. The daughter was about 16 and obviously not happy about the world events and/or her mother. She stomped off after a few quick words and left her mother on the edge of tears. The mother apologized for her daughter’s behavior. I must have replied with very understanding word (I just can’t remember them now) because the mother opened up and talked and ask what I would do (my daughter did this once upon a time). After 20 minutes of listening to her she realized what she was doing… talking to a stranger and a MAN and said, “I don’t know why I am telling you all of this.” By this time she was at least cracking a smile and was a little lighter (cup of tears). “Because you needed to and I am a good listener.”
I am reminded almost daily, “Preach the gospel to all the world and when necessary - use words.”
It is late night and I rambled on longer than I had intended. I loved all the comments. There are nuggets of truth lying about… don’t stumble over them.