Christianity Today: How the American Church Has Reflected the World Standards and How to Correct It!

Have you marveled at how large and affluent the churches have become in most recent years, but at the same time society as we know it has gotten progressively worse? Have you ever wondered why the divorce rate is the same for Christians as well as secular marriages? If the church is to be the light of the world than why does it reflect worldly standards, values and mind sets? These questions will be tackled in this article.
But, instead of just criticizing the church who does try its best, this article will propose solutions on how to correct the problem.
If you are anything like me I hate to hear just bashing.
So how did it get this far? I know the cliche answer given by every believer and this is sin.
Your right, but its more than that don't you think? How do you combat a culture where we are constantly bombarded by images of consumption, where bigger is best and you deserve to have it all because you are American? It is only a matter of time before that thought process would permeate church culture.
After all the churches are made up of American people who live by American values.
Okay that sounded cynical and that is not my intention.
American values that were derived by the constitution and Christian based are immeasurably good.
However American culture derived by consumption is not and this has to change in the church.
Churches are now mega million dollar institutions that function more like corporations than places to host God's people.
Many pastors today water down the words of the bible and make charismatic speeches instead of teaching truth.
Churches do more to entertain ever finding new ways to fit in with American culture than transforming the world.
I think of the scripture where "Jesus said my house shall not be a market place and thrown the Pharisees out".
Forgive me for paraphrasing I am just trying to drive my point.
How many times you go into church and there is something being sold in addition to tithes and offering? This practice is all too common tithes and offering are expected but the constant barrage of getting people to spend more and more money to generate capital sends the wrong image.
Okay enough with the complaining you get the point? Here is one solution fresh off the press.
Stop building more churches in the United States! Take the revenue that is needed to build and maintain these institutions and build overseas in which billions of people don't know God's word.
Instead of focusing on more and more people to fill the seats of the church, the focus should be more on going out to meet the people of the impoverished drug and crime ridden areas or just the community in general.
Stop the revolving door effect.
Many Christians who were once faithful goers now leave the church.
They do this because they feel alone and disenfranchised.
Stop the Church from being so activity based and focus on caring and developing relationships.
The focus should not only be about getting people in the doors but training people and keeping them in when they face problems.
If the true work is to win souls to Christ then 50% of your budget or more should be dedicated to doing this where it is most needed outside of the U.
S..
This goes for small churches as well.
Become creative in teaching practical skills to people who have loss there jobs.
Make true financial education a cornerstone of your teaching.
Not just the standard get out of debt mantra.
Financial education is mandatory in the world we live in.