The church seems to be becoming increasingly irrelevant in mainstream culture. This may be the result of a growing practice in our culture of intolerance for different views, beliefs, and values, or at least certain ones. More and more we see those with different beliefs from others are “canceled,” “defriended,” boycotted, or ostracized in some other manner. Can we no longer agree to disagree on some things. Why are dislikes classified as offenses today? Are we so fragile that we can’t stand something different than what we believe or like? Can we not agree that everyone should be treated with respect? This is troubling and unless something changes the future may get much uglier.    

Is it the church’s message that causes people to see it as irrelevant? Perhaps, but week in and week out I find the Scriptures as relevant to life today as they would have when they were written! It could be that the church isn’t conveying its message very well, or that people are just disinterested.  

Perhaps the church is seen as irrelevant because it isn’t acting like the church should? The Bible, our guiding book, teaches us that every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and therefore needs to be treated with dignity. What we say in the marketplace, which includes online social media, should always be said with respect for others, even those with different beliefs or values. What we say and how we say it should always reflect Christ Jesus. Sadly, this doesn’t always happen by church people. The Apostle Paul wrote, “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15). “Truth,” is what we should speak. Of course, that is first what the Bible says, but secondly, we should be careful about repeating everything we hear or read. “In love” should characterize how we speak. Everything we say should be considerate and respectful, whether others are respectful to us, or not. The church has some work to do here.    

In some cases, the unchurched doesn’t grant the church the right to speak in the marketplace. No one has to believe or agree with the church’s teachings. But like other beliefs in our culture, the church ought to be granted the simple respect of the opportunity to speak. I am grateful that this newspaper grants that opportunity. Unfortunately, not all who take the name Christian represent true Christianity. Like every organization, the church has bad representers too, and needs some grace.  

I heard an interview of the author of a book not long ago while I was driving. I wish I could remember the name of the book. The author identified a number of good things, benefits to humanity that came from the church throughout its history. It included things in the fields of medicine, art, music, and government, just to name a few. Whether a large percent of the population will follow the Christian faith, or not, there is a lot of good that can come from the existence of the church in culture.   

Is this a problem in our small town? I don’t think it is yet, but I see glimpses of it, and hope it doesn’t grow like it seems to have grown in other areas.  

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Dan Krahenbuhl is pastor of Monroe Bible Church.