Reflections of a reformer

I am reading a new book The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America.  This book is a follow up to UnChristian both written by Gabe Lyons.  Both of these books, address the issues of the perception of the Church and in case you don't know.....it doesn't look pretty.  Think about our Central Valley, we are often called the Bible-belt of California.  We are known for our conservative values.

So, what percentage of Fresno County is churched? Church being defined as a person that attends or self recognizes themselves as christian.....what is your guess?........60%.....50%.....come on we are the Bible-belt.....less than 14%! In fact, we are within the 2-3% of the CA average....so much for perception.  We are not he moral majority, we aren't the majority....most people don't view us as moral.  Christians are known for being anti-abortion, against homosexual marriages and taking stands against the tide of a deteriorating society.  The questions becomes....what are we for?  Any organization that attracts with the purpose of opposing something is not centered around love.  Is this how the 86% of unchurched people see the church? Is this what we project? 

Our new mission...become Restorers:

• Provoked, not offended
• Creators, not critics
• Called, not employed
• Grounded, not distracted
• In community, not alone
• Countercultural, not "relevant"

Remember, they will know you by your love.