Disappearing Church: From Cultural Relevance to Gospel Resilience

Description

Why our churches are shrinking: "In the discomfort between orthodox Christian faith and twenty-first century western dogma, we are tempted to do what it takes to make the pressure go away, to acquiesce on the beliefs that grate against contemporary sensibilities. For Christians raised under the ethic of relevance-the desire to prove believers can be both holy and cool-the pressure is too much. Some compartmentalize their beliefs into an orthodox/secularist mashup; others simply disappear into the ghostly embrace of secularity." - Mark Sayers Disappearing Church is a direct answer to the most p.;Introduction: dark clouds - or glorious sun? -- Part One. Understanding our craving for cultural relevance. Our current post-Christianity -- The history of "relevant" -- How much more relevant can we get? -- The gospel of self: (Gnosticism) -- Part Two. Learning gospel resilience. An exciting opportunity -- Reject the implicit prosperity gospel. We are slaves, not seekers -- Stop catering to "public" opinion -- Don't offer everything. Deliver truth -- Recreate the institution -- Withdraw/return -- Conclusion: going beyond the culture of the ghost.