the church of the dropouts

There have been many studies, books, reports, speeches, and sermons on why non-Christians do not go to church. On Sunday at church a minor point during the sermon was made about why non-Christians do not go to church. I don’t remember the person who was referenced for saying the quote, but the quote was along the lines of “non-Christians do not come to church not because of the worship style or the time, but because ‘church’ and ‘Christianity’ have become easy”. It’s an interesting idea. I don’t think the person is saying that its the only reason why people are not flocking into churches, but one of the main reasons.

I find it an interesting idea, because I have always thought that one of the main reasons people don’t come to church is in fact because it is too hard (and too time consuming). Sunday morning has become the time to sleep in and go to brunch. It is not the time to wake up early and go to church. In an all-consuming world where time is precious and more and more people are doing more and more, a Sunday morning on the weekend is the last thing people want to give up. In fact if it was as easy as just saying “Yeah there is a God” and be done with it, I think a lot more people would be Christian. It is not that easy however.

For the people who do have time though, maybe it is too easy. In the States churches have become the kick-back and relax, come here and be prosperous, have fun and stay kind of place. From rural to urban, and accentuated in the ‘burbs, church has just become fluffy, seeker-sensitive, watered-downed, happy-faced people on a Sunday morning that take in their one-hour a week at church and then go back to their lives.

There is no substance, no truth, and no life-changing difference that is God in church. I don’t think this is entirely true. There is a point to be made though. The church of the dropouts, the losers, the sinners, the failures, and the fools are not attending church on Sunday morning. Possibly too hard or too easy is an excuse like worship style and preaching style. Maybe church isn’t welcoming for the dropouts, the losers, the sinners, the failures, and the fools? Maybe too hard or too easy. We just don’t know.