The holiday season is in full swing, along with the incredible deals being delivered to your in-box, mailbox, and text box. It is said that for the first time ever, online shopping has over taken traditional shopping—which is amazing if you have been to the mall or other big box retail stores. I read one article that stated it—online shopping—has been on the rise for the past 20-years.
I find this interesting for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that the online shopping trend is not limited to a demographic group, but is across the board affecting nearly every age group. This tells me that people have embraced—at least to some degree, with open arms (or fingers), as smart phones seem to lead the way—the preferred method of shopping online.
The second thing I find interesting is the change itself as traditional methods of shopping are being replaced. This coupled with the broad age range of people willing to pick up their phone and shop, suggest a willingness to do things differently than they have done them in the past.
This raises an interesting question for me; how far reaching is this willingness to embrace change? Is it only in the arena of shopping that such a change is taking place, or does it extend to other areas of human activity? As it turns out, it extends to almost every area of human activity, from buying food to dating, from watching entertainment to banking.
With all of this change, what is going on within the traditional church? The data suggests that attendance and/or religious affiliation has declined sharply in the past 20-years. Although not alarming to me—religion has always been a man-made attempt to get close to God—it is cause for concern. The message of salvation and hope for an eternal future remains as relevant today as when Jesus first introduced it over two thousand years ago.
Even though the church has embraced modern technology, with live streaming, online giving, and archived sermons, the emphasis remains on sustaining the structure. It is expensive to run a successful business today (the closing of so many retail stores is proof of that), and the business of the church is no exception.
Perhaps it is time for a shift in focus. Perhaps focusing on building a close personal relationship with the godhead—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, will perpetuate the salvation message without the business of the church. I know it is a radical notion; one that will necessitate radical change, but such change took place two thousand years ago.
The business of the church—at that time, the Synagogue and political power of the religious leaders—suffered decline as formal gatherings were replaced by house to house meetings, or to an outdoor get together. The leadership structure changed from power to servitude. The focus shifted from the business of the church, to the business of the king—Jesus, and his kingdom.
The page on the website, Revival by one, has been heavy on my heart of late. Researching for this blog has given me fresh hope as to why. Humanity needs to see Jesus. He is to be seen in the lives of men, women, boys, and girls who know him, and love him enough, to allow his life through their lives. This is what a close personal relationship with the godhead is about.