Thursday, February 21, 2008

Quote of Importance

I listen to a guy named Matt Chandler. As far as Biblical teachers go, I think he is the brightest of what this generation has to offer. I agree with about 90% of his theology which is much more than most. Recently he said something that figuratively kicked me in the back.

"Whether it functions this way in the United States or not, biblically, the role of The Church is such that the community would think to itself 'What would happen if not for the body of Christ?'. The truth is that government does what God has commanded The Church to do and this is an indictment on us."

Is he right?

For the most part, our church buildings and programs have grown exponentially, while our influence in the community has dwindled. We are culturally impotent. What has caused this and what can we do to reverse it?

5 comments:

Steven Baird said...

So is he the brightest because you agree with 90% of what he says, or do you agree with 90% of what he says because he is the brightest?

In the past I would have said that we caused the rift between church and culture by increasingly secluding ourselves, but I just don't know any more. I go to a rather liberal church, that doesn't have a building, and that's fairly active in the community and we still don't grow. (Well, I guess we have a little growth, but it's not new Christians, it just people who move to the area who were already Christians) It just seems like people at large think they have little need for Christ and I don't know how to convince them otherwise.

Taft said...

Valid point made, Alan.

I don't intend to engage in a debate on how people feel about the author, but Chuck Colson wrote "How Now Shall We Live" a decade ago...

...makes some great points along the same line of thinking that many have jumped on board with.

Anonymous said...

To many, including some inside The Church, organized religion stands for "justified" hatred, bigotry, narrow-mindedness, and a general intolerance for those with whom they disagree.

Often enough the love of Christ is lost or never attached to the messages coming out of pulpits across this nation (with the exception of the times Taft Ayers takes the pulpit out for a spin).

That's my take. I'm researching some polling data that has been done in the last several years on Christian churches and organized religion in general.

If the trend I've seen so far holds true, the "War on Religion" and The Church is just beginning.

By the way, Mike Huckabee isn't helping anything for that cause.

Martha said...

We love Matt Chandler! He was in Abilene with us and we went to a weekly Bible study where he taught each week. It was awesome!! Instrumental praise and worship then Matt spoke! I love that you listen to him! M

Martha said...

I left a comment in the last post about this post... mama moment. Check it out- it's from Keith. M