Crumbling Institutions
The church as we’ve known it is dying. The institution is crumbling. The systems that we’ve held so dear for so long are falling apart, bit by bit. For many this is a terrifying reality we’d rather not look at. The world we’ve known for so long is disappearing before our very eyes. Once vibrant communities of faithful Jesus followers look like mausoleums; testimonies to a bygone era. That’s the running joke in Rome. There are over 900 churches in the city of Rome. Most of them today are nothing more than museums. Increasingly the communities whose lights are the brightest, whose speakers are the sharpest still broadcast with seeming perfection the last remaining songs of worship to a God we wish we knew, leaving its members in a state of medicated bliss for the hour they remain. Though the medication loses its efficacy shortly after ingestion.
Something is Wrong
It is clear that something is wrong. Enough ink to fill multiple copies of the Encyclopedia Britannica has been shed trying to assess the failures and problems that have led to such steep declines in church attendance and engagement. Some say it’s the message, others the lasting effects of the pandemic, still others blame the music and the lack of inclusivity or the overwhelming political overtones – something is wrong. There’s yet another contingent of people in Christendom who have long kept their heads in the sand, choosing an ignorance that allows them to stay in some coddled comfort while the walls burn down around them. The church as-we-know-it is dying – we can choose to accept it and see what God might want to say to us in it – or – we can continue to go down with the ship.
Re-Thinking Faith
This reality has lead many to re-think their faith. I have talked with countless people over the years who have grappled with their relationship to the church of their youth. The ever-popular term “de-construction” looms in the air. For some it’s a word that triggers one to point to apostasy. For others, it’s become a badge of honor that shows a progression of faith and understanding. Both perspectives at times have been wielded as a weapon against those with differing views. What is clear is that many are wrestling with their faith tradition and belief system, often inherited by their own parents. To re-think or (re)flect on one’s faith tradition and subsequent belief system is by no means a bad thing to be sure.
Wise Perspective
However, reflection without perspective can lead to disintegration rather than integration. The fruit of reflection without perspective often leads to pride and arrogance at the expense of others. This is why it’s so important to work through these things with people whose lives bear the fruit of the Spirit. Perspective, some may even call it wisdom, is borne out lived experience. Often those whose lives exhibit the fruit of the Spirit can offer a perspective rooted in experience and marked by love that leads to a fruitful integration of even the most painful parts of their experiences. We know those people, when we encounter them.
The Kingdom Economy
I have interacted with many over the years who have undergone some semblance of deconstruction. Those who’ve done so with the wisdom and kindness of those who’ve gone before them often exhibit a beautiful fruit. Those who’ve done so in communities marked by bitterness and unhealed pain often end up with nothing more than an understanding of their wounds which comes out as some sort of progressive pride. Gentleness is one of the fruits of integration. A healed and integrated self will undoubtedly emanate love and humility. Pride and arrogance is often the fruit of unhealed pain. As we grapple with change and the crumbling of the things we’ve long grown accustomed to, may we, as the author of Hebrews exhorts, “not harden our hearts…” May we seek wise perspective. May we move towards a healing that embodies love, holds more tension and is marked by gentleness.
The Spotless Bride
Despite the brokenness we see around us we can remain hopeful. For we know, that in the Kingdom economy resurrection follows death. So we trust, that despite what we see around us, God will bring good – it just might look like something we’ve not yet seen. Even though the institution may be crumbling, we know the promise of Christ is to bring His spotless bride to the banquet prepared for her. Because of this, we can look forward with a hope, Christ’s bride will bear the beauty and glory of His likeness. We look with great anticipation to that Revelation 19 reality:
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Don’t give up on the Church, Christ surely has not.