Changing Religion and Challenges

I agree. I think another challenge is our youth is so used to technology and being entertained. Worship isn't supposed to be about what God wants, not what we want or if we're bored, etc.We discussed this some last night in church. We discussed how every generation has had their challenges in regards to rearing Christian children, but the further away we are from the actual time when Jesus died on the cross, the more challenging it becomes.We have a tough battle, but we can do it!

I would like to add that Society, in general, is more acceptable of things that the Bible teaches against. It can be confusing to children to see what the "world" is doing and know that the Church considers these actions sinful, and therefore, should not be acceptable. As parents we have to teach our children to be strong and not worry about what the "world" is doing and focus on being as Christ like as we humans can possibly be.

Great question! For me I see that life is so busy that maybe we as parents might drop the ball a little. We get caught up in everyday life that we don't spend as much time teaching our children about our beliefs. That said, I also think that society as a whole has changed and we sometimes sit back and let it in our homes that way also. These are obviously my opinions so no bashing please. We all need to slow down just a tad and maybe we would get back on a track that our children will want to follow in the eyes of the church and their teachings because we can take the time to teach our children.

I agree. Our society is much more accepting of things and God's word is clear and unchanging. Many people will say, "but we live in a different society." Maybe, but that doesn't mean His will for us has changed.Denice, no one should bash you for your opinion. We have a fight not only with society, but within church, too. Many people are willing to allow changes to sneak in a little at a time until the next thing you know, the church has completely changed.I personally feel we need to get back to the basics of His word and go from there. Our children are bombarded with images and things which are "acceptable and ok" in society but not in His word and therefore should not be in His church, either. These are my beliefs and if anyone wants to disagree, that is fine, just be respectful, please.

In the last 40+ years I have seen Christ become less and less important to society. In the 50's more families went to church, as a family, every Sunday than did not. Everyone had certain clothing that was regarded as their 'church clothes'. Your everyday clothes (meaning jeans, t-shirts, etc.) were never worn to church. In the 60's, with the advent of illegal drugs, parents took the young children to church with them and the teenagers and young adults went sporadically, if at all. Late night parties had people sleeping in on Sundays and not getting up until after church services were over. The 70's brought a lot of questioning God on the part of teenagers. There was a movement where many young people returned to church, thus there was an upsurge of attendance. However, many parents quit attending regularly. Many adults attended church only if they had young children because they 'wanted the child to grow up in the church'. The 80's had parents sending their children to church on church buses. It seemed as if they wanted the church to teach their children moral values. In the 90's we found the mega-churches where entire families went. It was almost a status symbol to say 'I go to the +++++ church (insert mega-church name)'. Now I see entire families attending church (in my area), but we are the minority. More families tend to sleep in, go shopping, work, play sports, go camping, etc. instead of attending church. The attire in church has changed so much too. Where you used to wear only your 'church clothes' to church the dress is much more casual now. In some ways this is good because families who are not well off do not feel that they can't go to church because of their clothing. On the other hand, I believe (my opinion only) that it has changed a bit too far. I am of the school that believes that wearing clean, well fitting jeans is okay, but please make sure that your pants are pulled up. I personally do not think that church is a place to wear the waistband of your pants below your bum. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now. All that said, I would like to see more of our society attending church services. As for what challenges I see, they are many. They include, but are not limited to: 1. Fewer 'families' attending church together. 2. More mega-churches and fewer small churches where you get to know everyone. Please don't get me wrong, I enjoy visiting mega-churches, but for me, I prefer to get to know the people and the pastors. We are on a first name basis with our pastor and he knows all of my foster children by name. (I go to a church with ~1000 people divided into 3 services. Guess some would call it a mega-church, but there are only about 300 people at a service cause not everyone attends every week.) These are my personal observations and opinions. You may or may not agree. If that is the case, I will be respectful of your opinions and ask the same of you.

I do agree that not enough families go to church. When I see some of my friends at church and the challenges they face w/o their spouse their to help with the kids.I think anti-Christian influences are more available and easier to get to today, too. I believe we are bombarded with things that are not the best influence. I can't even drive down the interestate w/o my boys seeing advertisements with half naked women. My 6 year old is a good reader, and there is a store with bright neon writing on it "CONDOMS TO GO." So far, I have managed to keep him from looking that way, but I fear the day he asks what a condom is.What goes on in public school is a huge challenge in and of itself. Our country was founded on Biblical principals and we are getting farther and farther from that.A friend asked me, "Do you really think Christians in this country could ever be persecuted for their beliefs?"Yes, I do. I see it happening more and more. I see OUR right to FREEDOM OF SPEECH being wripped away from us. I see our right to teach our children evolution as a theory (and to teach them it is a false theory) being stripped in schools who now teach it as fact and creation as theory.We have a tough battle, and I think it's time we unite and help each other through it.DISCLAIMER: if you are someone who chooses not to believe in God, please know I am not saying you are a horrible, awful influence on my child. I know several who are trying to protect their kids from the same things I try and protect mine from.

Good question, I just posted a bit of my feelings on the other thread regarding the movie. I think there are a lot of subtle messages that seems okay, but it is not. Lots of its okay if it feels good, or you can get what you want out of this or that. Our children are given input that starts off innocent, and it builds up to a dangerous environment. For instance, we did not indulge in Harry Potter books, when my son was younger, now that he is old enough to read it objectively, he said he does not want to right now.. we do not shut out things, but will explore with the older one, and discuss. Its up to us for our own relationship and then our children relationship with God, to be aware of these subtle tools. IMO as with anything else I believe strongly in, I do not place any disclaimers out there, why because it's my belief. Christians are now in a situation where we feel we need to apologize for what we believe in.. naw!! As long as we present ourselves in a non arrogant way, to disuade another person belief system, no apology needed.

Oh I was not apologizing for my beliefs at all, nick. I just don't want someone coming on here and assuming that I meant they are awful people. There are plenty of good people who are not Christians. While I find this sad since I do beleive in eternity and I do believe in Heaven and hell, it is sad to me.Likewise, there are plenty of not so good people who proclaim Christianity.

Many valid points here! Ani, you are correct that it isn't just in schools and lack of teaching in church. We have so many obstacles with tv, radio, and everything that say this is ok, and it might be for some, but it generalizes everyone. I do not agree with a lot of things that I hear but I choose not to approach the subject. Maybe I need to start that more. I want my child to know that God is there for you to lean on and pray to.

As one who stopped going to church and my kids have not attended but sporadically, I see a lot of changes within the religious society that affect things too. Not just the "outside" changes. I got really fed up with the hypocricy, the politics, the changes to try to draw more people in but giving up traditions that I truly liked (business/marketing), and then there were the cliques. I know it's been there all along...but for me it just got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore and truly felt I was losing my faith. So I stepped away for many years. I've been looking for another church for about a year now and sadly...it's just gotten worse imo.

I don't know that religion has changed so much as the world has changed. It is not popular in many circles these days, like the workplace. Prayer is practically illegal. As a manager I don't dare evoke the name of God. (I do it anyway, without requiring anyone to agree with me.) There is no freedom of speech for Christians. As a parent, well, we're Catholics, and DD will go to a Catholic school. She will be exposed to the Ten Commandments. She will pray before meals like we do at home. She will know the real meaning of Christmas and Easter. She will have friends who do the same. Our desire for her to avoid the near occasion of sin will be reinforced. Outside of school is another matter, of course. Anti-Christian values are all around us. Look, I don't care what kind of pew people worship from. I don't care if they dress up for church or not. I don't care about the size of the congregation or what kind of technology they use. Here's what I care about. I do care when they restrict my right to worship. In this country these days, Christians are flat out restricted. I do care when they pass laws for everyone to follow that are contrary to the founding principles of this country. Flame me if you want, but I do care when they legalize the killing of unborn children. And that's just an example of a country embracing godlessness. I do care about that.

Just talking in general, of what I have been seeing over the years. I also agree with the Christians who are not that great. ETA: Clarification on my last sentence above meant to not go around trying to arrogantly disuade another from their beliefs.

Many Christian scholars are calling our times the "post-Christian (or Constantinian) era." Early Christian was originally changed when it became the state religion of Rome under Constantine (in the fifth century AD). As some of you have noted its really not possible to call ourselves a "Christian nation." (Did you know, btw, that there has NEVER been a time when a majority of Americans were church MEMBERS?) There was a time when many more went to worship... etc. Sometimes for interesting reasons (e.g. it's good for business.) It's important to note that the Church has always grown faster when it's being persecuted, when there's a cost to discipleship. (The church in Africa is one of the fastest growing in the world.) Crick, unfortunately congregations are filled with persons who are there for all sorts of reasons other than serving God. Too often (IMO) people look for a church that suits their needs (I'm NOT talking about your BTW) -- they are consumers, wanting to be served, rather than to serve. [I recently asked someone who called seeking money (for about the 4th time that month) if they had a church home. He responded, "Why should I go to church, they won't help us?" Churches for him exist to help him out of his perpetual financial difficulties.] So, congregations who want to grow decide how they can meet those needs. I call some attempts "Entertainment ministry." People want to come to listen to special music rather than participate in worship. Somehow (in my mind) it has little to do with God! Of course, congregations will always contain hypocrites, and those who attempt to treat it like a business. (Trust me, as a pastor, it's very frustrating to try to "lead" in the way I believe God is calling us.) I always say as a pastor, that I have 2 questions to ask: the first is "Why have we always done it that way? (Hear the anxiety level raising?) This does not mean we have to change anything; it does mean we should think about why we do what we do. For example, we no longer have no longer really make sense? Some attempts at "renewal" seem to throw the baby out with the bath water, however. My 2nd question is, "Where is God in all of this?" Why do we want to get more people in our church? Because we need more money and bodies? Or is it because we want to share God's unconditional love with those who need to hear the good news? The good news is, despite our failings, God hasn't gone anywhere. He remains ready to transform our lives when we turn away from our "foolish ways." With God, all things are possible!

Kathy, I frequently tell people who talk about the hypocrites in church that where else would you want them to be? What better place than where they may actually hear the truth and realize it DOES apply to them. ;)

I have the same response. At the same time, I have three adult children (including D) who grew up in small congregations watching so-called Christians abusing their parents (D's adad spent most of his ministry in setting similar to my current one) and who want to have nothing to do with "organized religion."