You would have to be living on some totally remote and isolated island not to know that we are in the midst of monumental global change.  There is no need for me to spend time detailing these changes; all you need to do is watch any global news outlet with any regularity.  What I am most interested in and want to share with you is the change that is happening in the US with respect to Christianity.

A few weeks ago I was given a copy of USA Today because the person who gave it to me thought I should read the article, “God, religion, atheism ‘So what’?  That’s what many say.”  The author of the article concluded there is great “spiritual apathy” across the US.  My response to this was, “Wow!  You had to do research to figure this out?  Of course there is!”  The writer also concluded that institutionalized religion is on the verge of collapse.  My response to this was, “What’s new?  Religion, especially institutionalized should collapse.”  Jesus didn’t die for an institution He died for those of us who would become a part of His Body, the church.  He died for communities of faith like South Meridian where His people seek to follow His voice.

The reason the writer concluded institutionalized religion is in trouble comes from the findings of research concerning current religious attitudes.  Here are a few statistics from the article: 44% of those polled said “they spend no time seeking eternal wisdom” and 19% said, “It is useless to search for meaning.”  46% said “they never wonder whether they will go to heaven.”  28% said, “It’s not a major priority in my life to find my deeper purpose.”  18% “scoffed at the idea that God has a purpose or plan for everyone.”  These are sobering statistics but hardly surprising to anyone who has any sense of what is happening in places like Anderson.

Unlike the writer of the article I do not see the demise of faith or Christianity.  It is obvious that the church as we know it must, and will, change to meet the needs of the generations coming after those of us who are older adults.  The church throughout history has continually been renewed because it belongs to God and Jesus Christ is the head who died for her. 

What the article did cause me to ponder was how we might better reach the “spiritually apathetic” or anyone who has yet to experience the fullness of His love.  I believe the answer is found in something Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. He said, “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:3-5. His connection to the Holy Spirit was the secret of his success in sharing Christ.

 If we are to have an impact for Christ on those who are asleep spiritually we must open up to the power of the Holy Spirit (remember the sermon on the Charismatic Stream?).  In practical terms this will mean we become people of the “Sermon on the Mount” Matthew 5-7 and of Matthew 25.  We will be filled with the “fruit of the Spirit” Galatians 5:22-23.  Our lives will evidence the “gifts of the Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12-14.  We will quit trying to share “our faith” and instead share Christ’s love, grace and mercy through meaningful relationships where those we live and work with come to trust our genuineness and love for them.  In our acts of Holy Spirit anointed service they will see Jesus and desire to come to know Him.  This is how the church has been renewed through all the generations.  This is how it will do it in the future until Jesus returns for His Bride.

As I continue to minister with you at South Meridian I am blessed to find a people with a heart to touch the world.  Yes, it is a cold, lifeless and dark place outside the walls of the church but that simply means those with the light of Christ in their hearts will shine even brighter.  These are good days to be about the Master’s work.  As Paul said in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Grace and Peace,

Ed