In August of last year, a book came out that gained traction in some church circles: The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? I purchased it with some reluctance but didn’t read it. These titles often leave me flat, and I find myself resistant to them. You’re welcome to parse that psychologically.
Perhaps the reason is a healthy, so I think, low anthropology and high Christology. Which is to say, our hope is in the gospel, full stop, divine agency, not human. The saving work of God, not our efforts to set things right. Jesus righting the world in the cross and resurrection, the extension of unmerited love, mercy, and favor, that what we bring to the equation of our salvation is our death and inability to save ourselves: “By grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Similarly, I have a resistance to Christian “challenges.” Why? These lean toward legalism and human agency (God is my copilot) to do what God alone can do.
However, God seems to enjoy revealing to me where I may be wrong – not about grace alone through faith alone, but about this book.
We recently had the authors speak at a Diocesan clergy day and, sigh, it was really good. It was informative, hopeful, thought provoking, energizing, with a longing for people, in their wants and fears, to find their life in Jesus who came that we might have actual life in its fullest (John 10:10). They invited us to take relational risks, invite people, pray for one another. I heard this not as a performative word, but because the gospel is true, as being about people who, having been loved, love.
As we begin a new church year on Rally Day, I am prayerful and hopeful. I invite you, with me, to be surprised again by God’s grace, to rejoice in loving one another, praying for one another, engaging one another, and holding out Jesus, the word of life.
– Craig
But if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12