One foot in the grave and another is on a banana peel

Sharif Abdullah in his book Creating the World that Works for All paints an image of humanity as a sinking ship, where “salvation does not lie in acquiring more and more resources; it lies in getting off the vessel.”  This image can be easily applied to many Protestant churches. 

Unfortunately, while congregations are concerned for their future and their survival, they act exactly like Sharif’s average person, who is not attempting to get out of a deadly situation,­ but is  trying to figure out how to get more stuff.  Some congregations do not even remember their purpose but they buy expensive screens and projectors, hoping to bring new and especially younger people. It is like my members, who like to say they are “standing with one foot in the grave and with another on a banana peel,” then exclaim with a sigh, “All we need is a few young and rich members!”

The modern church is desperately trying to please church hoppers who are seeking immediate gratification. Maybe, instead of adjusting to Baby Boomers'  frequently fluctuating spiritual needs, the church should rather stand on its beliefs and tradition and start educating parents how to raise children differently. That would be a great investment into the future of not only the church but of the whole nation. The present generation of American children doesn’t have any boundaries, lacking patience and demanding constant attention. In twenty-thirty years they will perfectly fit on United Methodist pews, demanding ergonomic chairs, large screens, digital media, and even trendier music. School shootings, high drop-out rates, adolescent crime, and teenage sex might be fruits of the same tree.

People used to come to church to quiet themselves to hear God's voice and to get into close contact to the greatest art. How can churches compete with sci fi 3D movies and other entertainments, and do they really have to? The new approach to worship goes way too far to please the youth, but the question is does youth really need loud music and screens when they come to church?  

The Russian Band Pussy Riot was convicted for playing funky music in a sacred part of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. American Protestans listen to similar bands playing loud music in the holiest of the Holy every Sunday, thinking that they make this sacrifice to attract the youth to the pews. Here, in America, a band like this is a part of worship, why putting girls behind bars?

I visited many churches in the last year-two and they all have big screens and rock bands. I would rather worship on the shore, up on the mountains or in the woods than to stare at the screen like I am in the movie theater.

I am much happier to see my elderly members not hurring up to buy stuff but focusing their short time left on earth on something eternal. The new generation doesn't come to church to stare at the screen or jump in the isle but to pour out their heartache to hear the truth. In ten-fifteen years these kids will teach others, and the church will continue sailing into the open sea.