Erwin McManus: American Christians are “Incredibly Self-Indulgent”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Thu, January 17, 2008
- Viewed 69
- (18) comments so far
McManus, whose church members’ average age is 25 years old, is known for breaking the “rules” of traditional church and applying spiritual creativity to engage and develop the next generation of Christian leaders.
Since becoming lead pastor of Mosaic about a decade ago, McManus’ church membership has grown from about 300 adults to more than 3,000 adults. The historically Southern Baptist church also boasts over 40 different nationalities and is “packed” with artists such as musicians, writers and filmmakers.
Among the attendees are also 80-year-old members from the generation before McManus arrived, who are said to “root on” the younger generation of church members.
While Mosaic and more modern churches are growing, many mainline Protestant churches are reporting worrisome decline in membership.
The United Methodist Church reported last year that its membership was at its lowest since 1930 with just over eight million members.
Meanwhile, the Lutheran World Federation reported that although its global membership increased in 2006, its western membership declined. Lutheran Christians in North America in general decreased about 1.41 per cent, while the LWF witnessed a 1.73 per cent drop.
Speaking about church decline in general, McManus concluded: “I think the bottom line really is our own spiritual narcissism. There are methods and you can talk about style, structure and music, but in the end it really comes down to your heart and what you care about,” he said.
He often explains that while the Bible does not change, the methods to effectively communicate the Word of God can.
What do you think? Are we, as a whole, “incredibly self-indulgent”?
In a recent article in Christian Today, Erwin McManus contends that the reason why churches are declining in America is because they are self-centered. “My primary assessment would be because American Christians tend to be incredibly self-indulgent so they see the church as a place there for them to meet their needs and to express faith in a way that is meaningful for them...there is almost no genuine compassion or urgency about serving and reaching people who don’t know Christ."
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Cindy Kurneck on Sat, January 19, 2008
I understand the frustration of the original author and those that posted in utter agreement with his article. I feel the pain of those in whom the spirit cries for a more authentic relationship with the Lord. And I know that organizations that are made up of human beings are not perfect. Churches are flawed simply because they are a product of the humans that make them up. We’re human. We’re sinners. Praise Jesus for his salvation.
I choose to see what’s good and holy not only in my Church but in each individual around me. It is not always easy, and sometimes I have to declare it in the name of Christ Jesus minute by minute just to try and stay true to that sentiment. I continually pray for the heart of Christ, to see through his eyes and hear through his ears.
The Christian Church is such a punching bag these days and I’ve thrown my share of punches. I’ve only followed Christ for a little over a year so my knuckles are still bloody and raw from the swings I’ve taken at the established Christian Community. I’m guilty of maligning Christian Churches and individuals associated with them to the worst possible degree.
Now I feel I’ve got a lot to make up for. There is power in what we speak. Intentions matter. I do not want to join with a legalistic ‘religious’ doctrine, nor do I want to jump on the bandwagon of Church bashing that goes on all to frequently both inside and outside of the Christian Community. The Church itself is worth protecting, because the Great God Almighty is working there.
Instead of taking a negative attitude I will declare that there /is/ a revival taking place within the Christian Community. I who once very fervently practiced a pagan religion am a product of that revival. I walked in the darkness and I have seen the truth and the light. The established Church brought me here, and I will forever be grateful.
No the Church isn’t perfect. None of us are either, especially me. So I will shout from the highest mountain that any link to the one and only true God is a good one. Any time I see or hear the Cross it’s a blessing. Anyone searching for the Lord in their own time and way is a positive venture. I pray that Christ himself will touch hearts, unlock ears and open eyes so that every person in their own time and way will draw closer to the one true God.
I have made it my mission to stay as positive as I can, being human. I pray that all Christians will band together. We get clubbed hard enough from those that we are trying to reach.
Jan on Sat, January 19, 2008
I totally agree that the “American Church” is self serving and not willing to step outside the bubble they have created.
But I too have seen glimmerings of hope.
Someone said that their church was working hard at “being church” and not “doing church”. We say this just about every Sunday. And it is happening.
I think that for too long it has been easy to pay for evangelism by sending a missionary and ignore our personal responsiblity and calling to our own mission.
We have been comfortable and unwilling.
And for our church to get where it has (from 18 to 96 in 4 years in a difficult community) there have been many tears shed, angry words, transparency that was very uncomfortable and conflict resolution or leaving.
And now growth. It was tough.
I think it’s easy to blame the “typical American church member”. But what about the typical American church minister?
How many are truly willing to hang in there for the long haul and deal with the hard stuff. I see so many who hop from church to church when things get uncomfortable.
I think we as leaders must share the blame for the state of the church.
Repentance is the key to revival of any kind. And we should be the first.
Then we will see God heal our land and our church.
pm68 on Mon, January 28, 2008
AMEN! I think McManus hit the nail on the head. Our church has recently gone through a split and a newer crowd is coming in and as I observe them during worship, many of them are very lackluster. Something is definitely missing. The preaching is good (many people have commented on how they love our new pastor’s sermons), the music is good, we have tons of ministries where people can plug in and yet I feels this sense of apathy. I don’t know what the answer is. I guess we just continue to weather the storm and seek God’s face for direction. It seems there are always seasons in the life of the church and you simply plug away until the tide turns again.
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