For the sake of time and space, let me begin by saying that I am assuming that the present model for growth and evangelism is no longer effective and should be tossed aside for newer models.  Two things have happened recently that reinforce that notion.

1.  A congregation in the area has sent out noticed of their annual Spring Gospel Meeting.  I have attended their gatherings in the past, and find them very sad and pathetic.  They always bring in someone to preach the steps of salvation to a room filled with believers — 75% or more over the age of 60.  In the 5 years I have been attending, I have yet to see a single response and I have yet to leave feeling more “faithful” for attending.  This year our neighbors are bringing in a director of one of the most conservative, traditional, and divisive schools of preaching in existence.  I can only conclude that the tone will change from “steps of salvation” to what it “really means to be faithful.”  I am confident that much of the teaching will center around modern attacks against, and future dangers, facing the “one true church.”  I cannot attend.  My heart will not allow me to be party of anything that is so divisive and potentially so mean spirited.  Besides, this guy wouldn’t fellowship me anyway, and I have heard all of the “Version sermons — Music sermons – Rubel Shelley sermons – Max Lucado sermons – What’s Wrong with our Christian University sermons” – I care to.  I could, however, use a little hope.

2.  Our small town has a tradition at the United Methodist Church.  Each year they display a wide variety of Nativity Scences ranging from expensive collector series to mangers made from macaroni.  The display is open to the public for two weekends each December, and is quite good, and well attended.  Some people travel from as far away as Atlanta, Auburn, Columbus, Macon, etc. just to see the Nativity Scences.  This year we were approached and asked to join with the United Methodists, Episcopals, Baptist, and Presbyterians that make up our downtown churches and create a “walking tour” that would begin at our church and end up at the local museum on our square.  Each church could welcome visitors, it would be promoted through our local media and Chamber of Commerce, and the Nativity Scenes could be displayed anywhere and in anyway we saw fit.  Guess what happened?  A few people from our church objected for “traditional” reasons.  The idea was pitched in public, no one objected, but immediately an effort was initiated to destroy any chance of participating.  Now the elders are afraid to act, and here we go again — saying we want to reach out to our community, but not meaning a single word we say.  What could the objections be??

a. We Shouldn’t Celebrate Christmas?  OK — then why do all of our members put up Christmas trees in their homes, lights on their houses, presents for their friends and family, attend and host Christmas parties, and everything  else Christmas is all about????

b. We Shouldn’t be Like “Denominational” Churches.  I don’t know if you have noticed or not, but the Churches of Christ are just about the most denominational people in the world.  We just give it another name — “Distinctiveness.”  I have been looking around, and what I find is that “denominational” churches are feeding the hungry, serving the poor, offering classes for the illiterate, adopting schools, offering help for those with addiction problems, fighting abortion, trying to combat drug abuse among children, and on and on — all in the name of Jesus and for His glory.  It is not enough to say you have the truth.  The truth is useless you actually do something with it.

c. We Have Never Done Something Like This Before.  Maybe it is about time.

I could go on, I guess, but hopefully you get the point.  So many of our members are looking, waiting, and hoping for a “Breakout Moment.”  Too bad that a few are allowed to kill the spirit of so many.  When are we going to do something more than meet, preach, eat, and send a few bucks to a missionary somewhere that we don’t even know?  When are we going to engage our communities, make a difference in our neighborhoods, and offer our cities more than condemnation for not attending our church?  To be bound by such senseless traditions is pointless, discouraging, and the very best way to become even more irrelevant in our towns.  I am very angry.  I am very sad.  I am very fed up.  I pray the we can experience a “Breakout Moment.”  It won’t be today.