In a highly individualistic and pluralistic America, there's some truth to the notion that the average religious Protestant tends to be a bit of a church shopper. Recent polling data have shown that American Christians tend to hop around a bit over their lifetime between different denominations. So in some respect, the spiritual smorgasbord that is the American religious scene could be viewed, crassly, as a marketplace of competing brands and tastes.
That being said, it's not the only or primary lens through which religious reporters should see their beat. Enter US News & World Report "God & Country" blogger Dan Gilgoff, who wrote last week on the Episcopal Church USA's move to allow the ordination of openly gay clergy.
In a follow-up blog post entitled "Tapping the Market for Gay-Friendly Churches," Gilgoff painted the ECUSA and other liberal mainline churches as having been unable thus far to successfully market themselves to apolitical evangelicals. Yet in doing so, Gilgoff reveals not only that he views religious denominations as competing brands, but that he confuses fundamentally theological and ethical concerns with political ones (emphasis mine):
Story Continues Below Ad ↓..."[R]eligious nones" have nearly doubled in size since 1990, to more than 34 million Americans.
A good number of these religious exiles were turned off by their churches' conservative views on social issues like homosexuality and abortion. Roughly a third of former Roman Catholics or Protestants who are now unaffiliated say they just haven't found the right faith tradition yet.
Those stats suggest that there's a growing market for churches that have the personal and spiritual appeal of the evangelical tradition without the conservative politics. So far, though, neither the Episcopal Church nor the other mainline traditions have figured out how to fill that niche.
Gilgoff here seems to consider politics as the chief motive behind an exodus from church, not concerns over doctrine and theology. After all, there's a big difference between a parishioner leaving a church because the pulpit is too political -- he/she may leave even though he/she agrees with the politics of the preacher -- and between leaving a church because the doctrine from the pulpit doesn't conform to one's politics or personal morality --e.g. a parishioner leaves the church because he/she believes in gay marriage and the pastor preaches homosexuality is a sin. Gilgoff seems to ignore the former motivation altogether.
What's more, Gilgoff's suggestion the Episcopal Church and other mainline churches have actively tried, and failed, to appeal to those who want an "evangelical tradition without the conservative politics" overlooks the fact that these mainline denominations have taken an increasingly activist posture on pet liberal political issues in the past few years.
For example, in order to protest Israel, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has sought to boycott companies that do business with the U.S.'s only democratic ally in the Middle East. Another mainline denomination, The United Church of Christ -- President Barack Obama's former denomination -- is supportive of the Democrat-endorsed Employee Free Choice Act, which would, if passed, institute card check in place of a secret election to unionize a shop.
Of course, many times these issues bleed over from membership meetings into the Sunday services themselves, where the sermon is an occasion to make a political argument from the pulpit.
If conservative politics is a turn-off, couldn't liberal pontificating on Israel and labor unions also be a reason the mainline denominations are not bringing in the sheaves of unaffiliated church-hoppers looking for that old time religion?
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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since 1900
July 21, 2009 - 11:00 ET by sevenEstimates say there are 600 million Pentecostals on this planet all since 1900
The majority are not in formal denominations. Yes they are buying at great discounts old churches where most members have grey hair and families are missing.
The mainlines have been losing members like the MSM.
July 21, 2009 - 11:03 ET by pahuberNo truth? No real purpose?
Then why the hell even go to church at all?
Sounds like United Theological Seminary in MN or Union Seminary in NY.
Where the dead go to stay spiritually dead.
Gilgoff (and most liberals) get it backwards
July 21, 2009 - 11:44 ET by c5thenConservative political views flow FROM Judeo/Christian values, not the other way around. Holding liberal positions on many issues is in direct contradiction to Biblical values and teachings.
Yes, I think it is hard to find a hypocritical church where this type of person will be comfortable. Unfortunately it's getting easier and easier to find them as many churches and whole denominations sacrifice their theology for attendance (and therefore $$).
Throw 'da bums out!
no one re-elected who voted for socialism or debt
www.loyaltoliberty.com
false prophets
July 22, 2009 - 05:07 ET by m1xramYou got that right, but who are these people?
So, shop around if you want to, but pick the church that follows the Bible. If you don't, you're just wasting your time.
He has already failed... his country.
The Bible
July 21, 2009 - 11:46 ET by cvgbuckeyeWe have one thing to answer ALL these questions. All we must do is read it. This from www.GotQuestions.org
Question: "What should I be looking for in a church?"
Answer: In order to know what to look for in a local church, we must first understand God’s purpose for the church—the body of Christ—in general. There are two outstanding truths about the church. First, “the church of the living God [is] the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Second, Christ alone is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18).
In regard to the truth, the local church is a place where the Bible (God’s only Truth) has complete authority. The Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Therefore, when seeking a church to attend, we should find one where, according to biblical standards, the gospel is preached, sin is condemned, worship is from the heart, the teaching is biblical, and opportunities to minister to others exist. Consider the model of the early church found in Acts 2:42-47, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
In regard to the second truth about the church, Christians should attend a local fellowship that declares Christ’s headship in all matters of doctrine and practice. No man—whether pastor, priest, or pope—is the head of the church. All men die—how can the living church of the living God have a dead head? It cannot. Christ is the church’s one supreme authority, and all church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are appointed through His sovereignty, as found in the Scriptures.
Once these two fundamentals are in place, the rest of the factors (buildings, worship styles, activities, programs, location, etc.) are merely a matter of personal taste. Before even setting foot inside a church, some homework is in order. Doctrinal statements, purpose statements, mission statements, or anything that will give insight into what a church believes should be carefully looked over. Many churches have websites where one can get a feel for what they believe regarding the Bible, God, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, sin, and salvation.
Next should be visits to the churches that seem to have the fundamentals in place. Attendance at two or three services at each church will be helpful. Any literature they have for visitors should be scrutinized, paying close attention to belief statements. Church evaluation should be based on the principles outlined above. Is the Bible held as the only authority? Is Christ exalted as head of the church? Does the church focus on discipleship? Were you led to worship God? What types of ministries does the church involve itself in? Was the message biblical and evangelical? How was the fellowship? You also need to feel comfortable—were you made to feel welcome? Is the congregation comprised of true worshippers?
Finally, remember that no church is perfect. At best, it is still filled with saved sinners whose flesh and spirits are continually at war. Also, do not forget the importance of prayer. Praying about the church God would have you attend is crucial throughout the decision-making process.
© Copyright 2002-2009 Got Questions Ministries.
Politics and religion
July 21, 2009 - 11:49 ET by KC MulvilleI don't have a problem with any religious person bringing their faith to the public square. If we're responsible for the world we live in, it only makes sense that a religious person would have an extra urgency in wanting to set the world aright.
The concern is religious authority. If a religious authority (bishop, priest, minister, rabbi, imam) tries to tell the flock that they must pursue a political agenda at his command, well as TV Guide used to say, wackiness ensues ...
our heritage
July 22, 2009 - 05:43 ET by m1xramThat's our Christian Heritage at work. The Forefathers came up with the principles in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution from the Bible.
Our religious authority comes from God as described in the Bible, not a bishop, priest, minister, etc. His absolute laws are what our human laws are based on. If this were not the case then wackiness would certainly ensue and it is. We used to know it was wrong to murder children, now we don't as a nation. That's known as moral relativity.
The concept of moral relativity leads to every person having an equally valued viewpoint. It values serial rapists and murders viewpoint's equally with ours. I've actually seen a paedophile on TV claiming we were interfering with his life style. Who wants to live in a world like that?
He has already failed... his country.
Beginning of the end
July 22, 2009 - 10:22 ET by misterbee241The beginning of the end of slavery started in the pulpits of English churches and spread to the United States.
The American Revolution started in the pulpits of America.
Marting Luther King started his civil rights movement from the pulpit of his church and churches followed.
Looks to me like lots of good things came out of "religious authorities" telling the flock to pursue a political agenda.
I can see where something bad can come out too, but let's not throw the good out with the bad.
"I dont need to read a newspaper to know the world's been shaved by a drunken barber."
Walter Brennan, The Colonel, Meet John Doe, 1941
Lukewarm
July 21, 2009 - 12:05 ET by ForbusModern-day Church of Laodicea. "Rights of the People."
One only needs to read this
July 21, 2009 - 12:06 ET by Dan The Man 2One only needs to read this to understand the jumping.
Matthew 13
19.
"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
20.
"The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
22.
"And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
23.
"And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."
July 21, 2009 - 12:12 ET by jessieHGay friendly churches. That's rich! With all of the gay preachers, pastors, & priests, I thought they already were. Oh, that's right, they are called pedifiles, now.
The "Nones" Have It!
July 21, 2009 - 12:21 ET by NortoKc, If we leave our faith at the door of the public square it will be just what Satan wants. Dilution to the point of no object at all.
As new Christians mature and leave the milk-fed stage, they progress towards more not less conservative churches, seeing that the Truth(His Word) is being stretched. Stretching the truth is never wise. I was at a men's breakfast this am and this church's pastor wants to change the dynamic, because souls need to be saved! Imagine the elder's horror! New music, new decor new this and that which is an anethma to us hoar heads. But we need to gear up, get through and out of our comfort zone. Christ came to save the lost not to feather our old days and ways.
I agree we need to be all
July 21, 2009 - 16:15 ET by Dan The Man 2I agree we need to be all things to all people as long as our message, faith and walk with Christ are not compromised. So in that vein perhaps multiple services one with traditional and another with an up beat.
Stretch them muscles.
Jesus did that
July 22, 2009 - 05:50 ET by m1xramThat's what Jesus did, he healed them or fed them before even trying to talk with them. He always met their need first.
He has already failed... his country.
He met their physical needs
July 22, 2009 - 10:25 ET by misterbee241He met their physical needs first then their spiritual needs. Most places like the Salvation Army and various churches follow that model today.
"I dont need to read a newspaper to know the world's been shaved by a drunken barber."
Walter Brennan, The Colonel, Meet John Doe, 1941
I know of many Christians
July 21, 2009 - 15:11 ET by mattmI know of many Christians who stop going to Church because the Churches have gone away from the true faith and have sold out to the ever-changing whims of public opinion.
Simple fact
July 22, 2009 - 10:12 ET by misterbee241It's a simple fact - you can find a church today that will preach anything that satifies your heart's desire. That was true in Paul's day too, when he told Timothy that people would rejectt sound doctrine and raise up for themselves false teachers. These teachers will tell them what they want to hear, not what they should be hearing.
You can get your itching ears scratched anywhere today.
"I dont need to read a newspaper to know the world's been shaved by a drunken barber."
Walter Brennan, The Colonel, Meet John Doe, 1941
"God & Country blogger"?
July 22, 2009 - 22:48 ET by Schnikeys"God & Country blogger"? Seriously?
I hear that stereotypes were once a problem in this country.