Post One on the Decline of Christianity in America
After yesterday’s post I found myself thinking about what needs to change. Not just in my little world, but around the world. I really don’t care what the polls say about how many Christians there are in America, but I do have a feeling that the polls are shedding some light on the truth, even if it is only a small amount.
Now and then I think about Christianity as a whole through the lens of someone who has had limited interaction with strong Christian believers, and limited interaction with a local church. And when I do that I see one glaring reason why if I was that person, I would want nothing to do with Christianity.
What reason? Christians argue and disagree with each other all the time.
Don’t believe me? Tell me how many “Christian” denominations there are in the United States alone. There are 6 major ones, and thousands of minor ones. Every single one of those was formed by disagreements.
There is a common saying when it comes to disagreements and church:
In the essentials – unity.
In the non essentials – harmony.
In everything – charity.
When it comes to how churches and denominations have operated the past few hundred years, I think we’ve missed this. Yet I think this statement remains a goal that can’t be obtained.
Why do I say that? I think we have so many things that we put in the “essentials” box, that there is no way for wide-spread unity to come about. Are all these essentials really that essential? I’m going to say no.
This shift is taking place. Denominations are slowly declining. Churches are choosing names without denominational affiliation. The “essentials” is becoming a shorter laundry list. Unity is being desired.
If Christians do truly desire to reach the world with the news of who Jesus is and what he did for us, then we have to start living out that news with unity and love towards each other first.
Is unity possible for Christians?
