Time Magazine’s Take on the Church . . . Right or Wrong?

This March, Time Magazine ran a one page titled: Preach Like Your Faith Depends on IT. Written by Religion editor, Tom Meacham (I googled his name and discovered that Tom is from the Episcopal Church with many academic writing credits to his name).

You don’t always see a page like this in a major magazine; one that is assessing the current state of the church and its messaging. And this one is placed within a section with the heading: 10 Ideas That Make a Difference. Time Magazine explores innovations that are changing the way we work, live, pray and play. Thus, I read it with keen interest on what this reporting editor would say. What idea or innovation was he suggesting? Here are my thoughts on his thoughts—agree and disagree.

I liked that he cited hard facts on current trends. One of the rather telling statistics of our time relates to how the percentage of “non-religious” people is growing exponentially. This number has doubled in the last two decades. Meacham points to the Pew Research, which indicates a shocking 20 percent of the populace now identifying their selves this way. When I look at that data, it tells me how we must adjust our point of interface to converse with those who are much farther from our center.

Quoting a number of figurehead leaders (Southern Baptists), Meacham offers another pertinent point in how our time is looking increasingly more like the pluralistic early church era. He cites someone who equates our current hostile climate to that of the book of Acts, where missionary zeal was crucial. This general assessment is somewhat correct. So far so good.

What I cannot agree with is the article’s theme and concluding idea. He seems to suggest that the remedy to the current situation is not to appeal to the drifting culture, but rather to “double down” on calling out the culture. Apparently, this must occur by pastor’s finding their prophetic voice. Interesting. He is obviously picking up this sentiment from his interview sampling, but I struggle to wrap my head around what this means. How does “doubling down” with the gospel meet the current challenge? Are we supposed to be more hardcore with those who don’t think like us? Can you see yourself trying this with your non-believing neighbor? Or with the newcomer family who cautiously checks out your community event?

I would argue that this is not the answer for the church. It sounds like a captain holding on desperately as the ship goes down type of response. Hold on. Dig in. Double down. Make your stand, even though the culture is moving in a different direction. Bad strategy!

If Meacham consulted me, I would say the church must move into one of the bigger periods of adjustment in its history. This requires a church body that is functioning outwardly in society and able to bring others farther outside its mainstream into a viable faith. It suggests a level of equipping of mission minded members with conversational skills that far exceeds what currently exists. This, of course, requires a change from the top.

Perhaps, that is why none of the experts would go there. We have a hard time changing our church mindset and methodology. Who cares to be more sensitive, when we are the ones with the truth? Learning to read others and navigate hearts forward from these different places is not our strong suit. Nor do we care to make it so. We’d much rather draw a hard line. Take it our leave it. Double down. How tragic.