To many who watch religious trends in America, it seems that Christianity is in decline. Denominations are shrinking, and upcoming generations are less religious, which makes the trend unlikely to reverse. The rise of the “Nones” — people who may consider themselves spiritual but identify with no particular religion — suggests that the faith is no longer meeting the spiritual needs of many in our society.

Despite this, plenty of people report that their own congregation or denomination is doing well. Attendance is growing, the programs are popular, and the church helps people in the community. To them, American Christianity looks like it is on the right path.

But it is worth asking what those good things actually demonstrate. Devout Christians do support a great deal of charitable work. Yet many of the differences we point to between Christians and the wider society also show up in other groups that are diligent and committed to a cause of their own. If a congregation’s activity looks about the same as the activity of any other dedicated organization, then we should at least ask the question: are our religious activities producing changed lives, or are they mostly providing a venue for commitments and perspectives that people already had?

Scripture has a word for religious effort that does not produce anything. It appears in Jesus’ letter to the church at Laodicea, the only one of the seven churches in Revelation to receive no commendation at all.

Continue reading “Avoiding Lukewarmness” →