It’s probably not what you imagined. The trends are up across the board in all 50 US states for a category of people referred to as “Nones.” This is the group of people that claim to have no religious affiliation. You can see the press and research from cnn.com, barna.org, and The Christian Post by clicking the respective links.
Does this trend alarm you? Certainly, I think it may be taking you by surprise. The pace of people of religious faith keeping up with the increasing population has taken a downward trend. While it was most-likely a lot of evangelical Christians that helped to get George W. Bush elected into office, it was his position and actions in regards to some things that were based on his faith that probably caused his downfall (realizing of course that other factors such as the economy were contributing factors as well).
America, once a great Christian nation, is raising up people of no faith. What does that say for our future as people of faith? Does this trend of seeing people leave the church and not connect anywhere else cause you to review how you present yourself to others? Does it change the way you pray? Is your heart impacted in such a way that it causes you to take action?
The time has come to start being loyal to churches and pastors and instead choose to follow Christ and pursue service for the kingdom, not just our church. What would that look like? Can you imagine a nation immobilized to serve compassionately and only looking to help make the world a better place, rather than seeking some return for their efforts such as by having more people attend their church?
If people want to walk away from the church or disbelieve that God exists today, that is between them and God. However, if they are leaving the church and unconvinced of God’s eternal existence because of something I have done, then it is my responsibility to change how I live and how I see things.
Father God, let us rise up and take a stand against living our lives for ourselves. It is not about us, but it is all about you. We profess it from our mouths and pray it in front of others, but would help us to come to you with open hearts and open minds and turn away from hypocrisy and indifference? Would you give us the ways of your wisdom and your compassion and your justice so that we may be empowered to share your story with others? As part of your plan, set us on paths that cause others to know there is more to our lives than just this. That we can be world changers and history makers. Let us look upon each others with your love in ways that direct their attention to your glory. Cause us to never prompt someone to become a “None” based on what we say or do. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
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Many are tired of the hypocrisy and irrelevance of the church in contemporary American society.
hybridboy, I agree, but at the same time I remain faithful in hope that some us will get out of the way and let God lead his church in ways that cause us to be more relevant in American society.