A
couple of articles in the mainstream media have highlighted the decline of the
Liberal church in Canada, particularly the United Church. The Canadian United Church
is in dire trouble due to falling attendance and corresponding loss of income.
The Globe and Mail quotes a retired United Church minister
who served declining congregations all his ministry life. “In my experience, when
you put your primary focus on the world, there is a lessening of the importance
of worship and turning to God.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/the-collapse-of-the-liberal-church/article4443228/
Canada.com reports that the United church has lost half its
membership since 1965. Sunday School attendance has dropped 90% in the same time.
http://www.canada.com/life/Declining+membership+dwindling+finances+likely+church+agenda/7073350/story.html.
However, many evangelical churches are growing, often at
surprising rates. My drive across Canada two years ago, revealed numbers of
large evangelical churches being built in both the large and small cities. Why
the difference?
My guess is the liberal tradition of the United Church—summed
up in the idea that ‘you can’t believe everything you read in the Bible’—has weakened
the movement. Miracles, as described in the Bible have natural explanations, or
are legendary myths.
What is probably most damaging is the denial of Jesus’ deity;
His virgin birth and resurrection are dismissed as fabrications of the Early Church.
These ideas are what secular Canadians generally hold, and they became the
gateway for liberal Christianity to accept Canadian secular beliefs.
Hence, the United Church, for instance, agrees to abortion
on demand and gay marriage. Their main interests are social and political
issues, often with a partisan approach. If churchgoers hear from the Sunday pulpit
what newspapers said the previous week, why go?
If political and pagan rhetoric is all popular belief—worse still,
the church—has to offer, life is dismal and pointless. It is the hope that Scripture
brings through the risen Christ that draws people to conservative and
evangelical churches: hope for meaning and renewal in this life and assurance
for the next.
The Bible has always provided a way out of history’s swings
between licence and asceticism. As we develop a relationship with our Creator,
we discover the empty, vague, and uncertain direction of the world’s philosophies.
