Why is it that the church is losing people left and right? Why is it that the church is struggling to meet the needs of the people? Why is it that the church has become so ineffective, to put it in bluntly? I believe one of the main reasons is that the church comes off as being fake. People can see right through us if we are being fake. The world NEEDS the church to be authentic. We need to be authentic in our worship, in our relationships, in our purpose, in our identity. We need to realize the needs that are around us, and do the best we can to meet those needs. That will be authentic to the world. We need to care and love for each other and for our neighbors who are outside the walls of the church. That will be authentic. We need to gather in our communities to worship our God with our entire being. That will be authentic. Those outside the church are looking in saying they want nothing to do with us, because we aren’t real. God is the ultimate reality. It is the church’s purpose to show that.
[...] great article for the church today, because I think many of our churches are struggling with being authentic. I believe part of being authentic is being anchored in the grace of God, not in our own [...]