The cover of this week's "Newsweek" is titled, "The Decline and Fall of Christian America". The main story is written by Jon Meacham. It is written respectfully and with a good handle on the historical background of what we think is "Christian America."
Why do I keep on posting stories related to this theme? Because I think, for the most part, the observations are true. We as the Church need to realize that we are not "citizens of this world." We are "in, but not of." For awhile it may have felt like we were the dominant group, but now Christians need to be prepared to be isolated, seen as intolerant, and as is already the case for many, irrelevant.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about: It used to be that most of your neighbors sort of felt that they should be in Church even if they weren't. So you could invite them to a Church event or an Easter service and they would come (based on at least a guilty conscience); now, your neighbor truly does not have any sense of cultural obligation to be a part of a Church, or even attend a Church service. They're not hostile to the Church necessarily, they just don't think it matters one way or another. Many of your neighbors that think like this may even claim to be Christians, but since they were told all they needed was a "personal relationship" with Jesus (which is defined primarily by an experience once at a church or religious event), they find themselves asking, "Why the Church?" You are not up against antagonism, you are up against something much more challenging: apathy.
So how do we minister in a "post-Christian culture?" How should we share the gospel with our "apathetic" neighbors?
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Here's a story...
Once upon a time there was a man named John. His name was not really John, but his name is of little importance to the point of the story.
Long before John, God gave his Word to the world. Later, God gave John faith to believe in that Word made flesh: his son, Jesus Christ. And in John's hands he gave the written Word: the Bible.
John received the Word and was given the desire to share the Word.
One day, John invited his co-workers to gather together to share the written Word with one another during their lunch break. They would start gathering soon, but not that day.
Smiling face after smiling face accepted the invitation. "What a company full of enthusiastic Christians," John thought.
After many accepted, John invited Lucy. Lucy asked John the question, "How do I say 'No' without being rude?"
John heard one honest rejection in an untold number of dishonest acceptances.
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