04-23-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS 
April 23, 2025
For more than six or seven years (really, for more like three decades), we have been talking about the decline of Christianity and the growth of the nones. Of course, the nones are not to be confused with the nuns. Nones are those who self-describe as unaffiliated with any organized religion, often checking the box “none” when asked which religion best describes you. Our denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has seen a pretty dramatic decline over the last thirty years, and when you’re not a terribly big denomination, decline really hurts. But in the last 9-12 months, the decline in Christianity (and religion in general) appears to be leveling off or even seeing a slight blip upwards. It might be an anomaly, and soon everything will return to decline. But maybe not!

In the United States, although a relatively small percentage of the population, Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims, have also experienced an increase in numbers. However, given that nearly 80% of older adults identify as Christian, while only 46% of younger adults do, the future religious landscape appears uncertain. In other research, individuals who identify as neither Christian nor nominally Christian but have been drawn to Christianity in recent years have been drawn to churches that are unequivocal about their identity and the divine calling they perceive. In a lot of churches right now, there has been this fictitious belief that a local congregation can be all things to all people. Let’s be clear, Jesus was not all things to all people. Jesus did not embrace the idea that rules were more important than relationships or that possessions were more valuable than people. I believe Jesus still loved the individuals who held those beliefs, but he wasn’t creating a big tent where such beliefs would be included in his movement. 

Don’t misunderstand me—no religion will be monolithic, except perhaps for something more cult-like. At Cypress Creek Christian Church, when we proclaim that everyone is loved by God and is welcome at the Communion Table, it doesn’t imply that every belief held by individuals will be incorporated into our primary message. We might have someone attending CCCC who would say that women should be silent and subservient. To hold that belief is to suggest that women are not necessarily allowed to be themselves at the Table, and thus are not really welcomed at the Table. I use that only as an example, but even if someone holds that belief, I think God loves that person. But his (I’m thinking it would be a male) ideas would not only stand in contrast to the core conviction of a God whose love is unconditional and limitless, but if those beliefs were allowed to be spoken at the Communion Table, even though we believe in a diversity of thought, the Communion Table suddenly becomes unwelcoming and unsafe for women. 

One of the great challenges (and there are many) for Christianity right now is to be clear in regard to who Jesus was and is, and equally important, what does it mean to be a follower? When many of the nones say they like Jesus, they just don’t believe the church resembles Jesus at all, it might be time for Christianity to ask some hard questions. I have used the passage often in recent months, but I will use it again. Jesus said that others will know you are my disciples when you love one another. We can have some serious conversations about how love relates to justice, mercy, forgiveness, and a number of other important aspects of life, but it is really impossible to lead with hate or vindictiveness, fear-mongering or guilt-baiting, and still claim oneself a follower of Jesus. To follow means you are on the same path, or at least one that is nearly identical. Otherwise, as Jesus suggested, it is hypocrisy. 

Continue to challenge me on what it means to take the name of Jesus, O Living Light and Source of Love. There are areas where my love is not hitting the mark, and in those places I pray for a gentle nudge or a swift kick in my spiritual backside. At the same time, I pray for the capacity to love those who clearly do not resemble the Jesus life, even when they act as if they own his name. Keep me humble, yet holding strong to the core convictions of love, empathy, kindness, and justice. There remains room for a diversity of thought, but the thoughts of Jesus never marginalized the marginalized, or demonized those already demonized. I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus, whose life and self-giving love I continue to use as a model for my life. Amen.