Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Changing Times Column for the weeks of July 16-31, 2008

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Last February the Pew Forum introduced part one of their findings on Religion & Public Life’s U.S. Religious Landscape. The news was not surprising. This first segment dealt with religious affiliation or identity. Pew Forum researcher Gregory Smith said, “The biggest news here is change.”

A nonpartisan organization, the Pew Research Center provides information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. They deliver timely, impartial information about religion and public affairs from surveys, opinion polls, new analysis, forums and briefings. They do not take positions on policy debates. They are not a “think tank,” but rather a “fact tank.” And the facts seem to indicate, times have changed.

People are no longer tied to their parent’s religion. What mommy and daddy taught is out and the search for something new is in. Those who are part of a denomination are “unable or unwilling” to explain what it represents. Major Christian denominations are losing numbers fast and only non-denominational churches show growth that outpaces losses. Then there are those disillusioned with religion altogether and prefer not to be affiliated with any church at all.

Findings show that adults under 30 are generally not adhering to any strict religious practices, yet they tend to turn back to religion when they want to get married. I guess this means they prefer to be married by a minister in a religious ceremony, rather than a justice of the peace. Maybe they are just hedging their bets. With divorce rates higher than ever, it doesn’t hurt to get “the Big Guy” (whether he is God, a supernatural being, divine force field, or synergistic whole) involved from the beginning.

Part two, which focuses on beliefs, behavior and political views, has recently been released. These findings show that 92% of U.S. adults believe in God and 58% say they pray at least once a day. However, there seems to be a lack of alignment between what people say they believe, what they practice, and their professed faith.

Rice University sociologist Michael Lindsay says, “Americans believe in everything. It’s a spiritual salad bar. Rather than religious leaders setting the cultural agenda, today, it’s Oprah Winfrey.” He goes on to state, “The impact of Oprah is seen throughout this survey. She uses the language of Bible and Christian traditions and yet included other traditions to create a hodgepodge personalized faith.” 70% of those surveyed, including the majority of Christian and non-Christian groups, say “many religions can lead to eternal life.”

These changing dynamics leave mainline Christianity in a quandary.

Is it wrong for the young to make new traditions? Certain Christian traditions have scriptural foundation, but are not necessarily practiced in the Bible in our usual and customary manner. Advent week, Christmas, Easter, lent, how often we take Communion, whether we drink from the same cup or dip a wafer into the wine, what day we meet on, favoring traditional hymns, Maundy Thursday, a foot washing service, and christening babies are just a few examples of what even mainstream Christianity can’t agree on, but cling to.

There are so many different traditions afloat that it could leave one feeling confused. Is it any wonder people are looking for something different? After all, some feel closer to God through ceremonial ritual; others feel closer to God when they abandon ritual and find creative forms of worshipping God through drama, dance, and rock music. It doesn’t make one way right and the other way wrong – just different.

As society changes, churches are faced with the dilemma of changing as well. Church historian Diana Butler Bass of Cathedral College of Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. said, “There has to be an entire rethinking of how to do religion and what it means to be a Christian in this new cultural context.”

Should churches rethink how they do religion and possibly change? What a concept! Of course change is a two-sided coin. It can be good, or it can be bad.

A changing church can be bad if it lowers its standards, ethics, and morals to fit in with what is considered the norm in society. Condoning unacceptable behavior creates a lose/lose situation for everyone. Yes, we love the sinner – we are all sinners, but bad behavior is bad behavior. If the church lowers its standards, then society has nothing different than what they already have. This doesn’t mean the church should be holier than thou, but even Paul had to draw the line when the Corinth church didn’t see the problem with a man having an on-going sexual relationship with his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5).

There is a fine line between having a close relationship with an approachable God and creating God in our image – having him like what we like and accept what we accept. God loves us, walks with us, talks with us, and has a relationship with us, but we are not on his level. Who wants to worship a being who isn’t any better than we are?

It can be good, however, to occasionally change our approach in reaching out to others, especially in an ever changing world. Notice I said changing “the approach” can be good – not the message. The message remains the same. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus lives in us. He came and died for our sins. We need to believe in the name of Jesus, love God, and love our neighbor. The good news IS the gospel of Jesus Christ. That does not change, but how we get this good news to others could need modification to reach our society.

Maybe we should rethink how we do religion and what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. Why not? As long as Christ is being preached – isn’t that what’s important? And I do mean Christ – not some super-hero-being we have invented to give us permission to do what we want.

Looking for new ways to preach Jesus Christ – what a concept! What an opportunity! Opportunities are rarely easy, but with God’s help, I think we can rise to the challenge. After all, a solid, steadfast Jesus Christ is just what an ever changing, fast paced society needs.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.