I’ve referenced two recent articles in the DMN that have confirmed what some of us have sensed for a while. In his article “Southern Baptist Convention- Realities looming ahead of gathering”, Sam Hodges quoted SBC president Frank Page who said “that many of our churches are not connecting with the younger generation, and they’re certainly not connecting with our growing secular culture. Because of that, I fear many churches will die.” Christine Wicker’s article (link above) points out that half of the SBC’s 43,000 churches will have shut their doors by 2030 if current trends continue. It’s time for church leaders to change or die.

For a long time I’ve been a proponent for some radical shifts in our churches (not changes but seismic shifts). We tried “changes” during the “seeker-sensitive” years of the 90s. I believe our motives were pure (to create a church for the unchurched) and evangelism was at the core of our changes) but, in the end, all we got was a consumer-focused mindset that simply came into the church and asked, “What’s in it for me?” Ironically, we wondered, “Who said it was about you?” Jesus never offered a bait and switch message. The shift is to move from the attractional church (come and see) to the incarnational church (go and be). That was the Church Jesus envisioned all along.

It seems the problem is at the core of what we’ve been fighting for so long. We need to re-think the Gospel. No, it hasn’t changed; it’s just a lot bigger than we thought it was. We thought the Gospel was solely about getting people into heaven. Clearly it is, but it’s also about the broader forgiveness of Christ that sets us free from our sin and our selfish lives so we can serve others in His name. We thought the Kingdom of God was about some place “in the sweet by and by” instead of wherever Jesus reigns and rules in the hearts of His people as Lord. His Kingdom is coming but it’s bigger than we thought. We thought the Bible was about doctrine and truth to be argued instead of forgiveness and freedom that’s found in the One who is the Truth. The culture wars have been more a battle over grace than they have been a battle over truth. You can argue over truth with a radical Muslim all day long. It is grace that sets Christianity apart from the religions of the world.

I’ve quoted Rick Warren who said, “The Body of Christ has had its hands and feet amputated and all that’s left is a big mouth.” Still some argue that the answer is to simply continue on with the same message- just louder. The shift will come when the people of the church repent and decide to align everything they do with the mission of Jesus to restore and redeem our broken world. The shift will not come through an institution but a revolution. It will not be through a denomination but a movement. And as it comes, so will the Kingdom of God among us as we join Jesus who is already on the move. The Gospel is bigger than we think and it’s time to wake up and show the world.

I want to be among those who, with an ear towards heaven and a resolve to follow Jesus, are courageous enough to ask the hard questions and do whatever it takes to see His Kingdom come (regardless of the cost). Some of you saw another article this week that revealed many evangelical Christians (and Baptists) have forsaken critical truths (namely salvation through Christ alone). Much needs to change but one thing will never change: Jesus is Lord. A reformation is needed and it will come as God’s Spirit falls upon a prayer-soaked people, clinging to God, with a simple and uncluttered message: “Jesus is Lord.”

I’ve had hunch for a long time that something’s gone wrong. As a lover of Jesus and His Church I’m in ongoing conversations about the effectiveness of the church in our world today. I’m constantly thinking about how we can optimize our redemptive potential in this generation. Last Sunday I read an article in the Dallas Morning News that shocked my system. Christine Wicker, the author of The Fall of the Evangelical Nation: The Surprising Crisis Inside the Church, wrote an article entitled, The Great Evangelical Decline. After you read this blog, you need to take time to read her article at http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/points/stories/DN-wicker_01edi.ART1.State.Edition1.46dace2.html

Because she’s a former Southern Baptist she caught my attention. She begins with, “What Baptist leaders have known for years is finally public: The Southern Baptist Convention is a denomination in decline. Half of the SBC’s 43,000 churches will have shut their doors by 2030 if current trends continue. And unless God provides a miracle, the trends will continue. They are longstanding and deeply rooted. The denomination’s growth rate has been declining since the 1950s. The conservative/fundamentalist takeover 30 years ago was supposed to turn the trend around; it didn’t make a bit of difference.”

Those who know me know that I’m a consummate optimist, often to a fault. What’s probably added to my blissful denial of reality has been the wonderful ride that we’ve been on at FBC McKinney over the past 9 years. Two weeks ago I asked a group of leaders if they knew of any church (and particularly any Baptist church) that was blowing the doors off in terms of growth. No one could name one. The mega-church of the eighties and nineties seems to be an ever-decreasing expression of the Kingdom in our culture.

Now, I’m a Christian before I’m a Baptist, but as a Baptist I found Mrs. Wicker’s article startling. While I disagree with much of the article (why the trend has taken place and her suggestions to right the ship), I agree that it’s time for us to wake up. Though I don’t want to admit it, the ship is sinking. As I see it leaders have one option: change or die. Many church leaders have decided to stay the same non-effective course (keep preaching what you’re preaching, only louder). Others have decided that the only option is to bail: “If the ship is sinking, everybody out. Abandon ship!” Others, like me have decided to be a prophetic voice in the midst of radical change from within (and besides, it’s easier to have a voice at the table if you’re still a loving member of the family).

At FBC we’re making some radical changes. In fact, it’s jolting our collective DNA. We’ve determined to do whatever it takes to join Jesus on mission in our world. I’m well aware that the strategies of the past are not working today and that fewer and fewer are hearing our message, regardless of what it is; they’re simply not listening.

Mrs. Wicker ends her article with these ominous words: “Evangelical faith is failing in so many other ways that a growing number of Christians believe a New Reformation is needed. If they are correct, the Southern Baptist Convention is unlikely to lead that reformation. Let’s hope it is at least around to participate.” Count me in. Let’s be among those who, with an ear towards heaven and a resolve to follow Jesus, are courageous enough to ask the hard questions and do whatever it takes to see His Kingdom come (regardless of the cost). A reformation is needed and it will come as God’s Spirit falls upon a prayer-soaked people, clinging to God, with a simple and uncluttered message: “Jesus is Lord.” Let’s continue the conversation…