The New Mega Church in Tulsa - A city of the formerly churched - Columns - Above and Beyond

archko, 12/19/2011 - 4:47pm
"Beau, I am of the opinion that the author was referring to "dechurched" as people who (a) have been formally attached to one or more Christian churches, but no longer worship God in a formal Christian church setting and (b) still worship and seek a closer relationship with God in a private and/or personal setting. While the author never used the term "unchurched," I believe that in the context of this article, "unchurched" would be people who have never been formally attached to a Christian church. It is very likely that some "unchurched" people worship God in a private and/or personal setting. I believe the emphasis of the article is not to answer the question of "who is 'churched' or 'unchurched,'“ but rather (a) why are the numbers of the “dechurched” growing" and (b) what can and should the members of the Christian church community do to return to the simplicity of the teachings of Jesus. Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” He replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' And the second greatest commandment is, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" I think the author may have been reminding the "churched" and "dechurched" that while the seeking God may fulfill the first commandment, the Christian churches are failing to follow the second commandment. The author may be suggesting that the failure of the Christian church to “love my neighbor as myself” that is the reason for the rapid growth of the "dechurched" and current image the "unchurched" have toward Christianity and its churches. The author is talking to those who are or have been part of a formal organized Christian church. I don't think he was or intended to be divisive or exclusionary toward anyone who is or has been in the Christian church community. He was rather sending a “wake-up call” to the Christian church as to its failings."