When pollster George Barna asked Americans
what would help them grow in their faith, they answered 'prayer,
family, friends, and reading the Bible.' But 'belonging to a church' didn’t even make
the top-10. Over half said church attendance was not important.
Combine that with a recent poll asking Americans
to identify their purpose in life. A majority said “enjoyment and personal fulfillment,” which may explain why so many are leaving
smaller congregations (who rely on member
participation) for big ones that have plenty of parking, stadium-style seating,
rock-concert lights and sound systems, and a winsome, charismatic preacher. These mammoths offer almost everything and require nearly nothing.
Let’s face it—megachurches are
fun and stimulating. But they must not be very “salty” if half of all Americans don't think they can help them grow in their faith. Will someone please pass them the salt! (Matt. 5:13)
Have you been reading all the news articles about the health risk of too much salt? In short, Americans eat too much of it. It's called the silent killer!
Spiritually speaking, American Christians are not getting enough “salt” in their diets. The “seeker sensitive” movement—that began in the 80’s—unintentionally ‘dumbed down’ the average church’s teaching to themes of how to live a better life, have a good marriage, how to raise your children, etc. None of these is wrong, and certainly not heretical. But the church needs a revival of the Word: expository teaching of sound doctrine—more salt, not less.
Giving birth to a new ecclesiastical movement (the “Emerging” church) is a perception that the Church has lost its impact on a disaffected world. Their objective is to be “missional”—seeking new ways to be the salt of the earth. Unfortunately, some of these “emerging” churches have rejected sound doctrine along with stale methodologies. But perhaps they are right about this one thing: the Church is losing its saltiness. What can you and I do about this problem. Make sure your spiritual diet is full of salt! Too little of it will silently kill you! Center your life, your thoughts, and your decisions around the Word of God: Be salty.
