Many churches are panicking about their shrinking attendance. The most common symptom is watching younger generations leave for other churches or simply leave church altogether. Regrettably, some believe that if we just change our approach, appearance, or atmosphere, then our churches will become more “attractive” and thus reach more people. Consequently, they spend a lot of time and money on church-growth gurus that direct them on how to market or retrofit their churches. That approach is like changing window dressings in a burning building.
We are reaching fewer people for Christ because we are focusing too much on being appealing to the world instead of proclaiming biblical truth and the truth about Jesus Christ. Judge Stewart once famously said about pornography that, “I know it when I see it” (Jacobellis v. Ohio). The same can be said for truth; one knows it when one hears it. Truth is not only on the side of the political right or left, on even by those in the middle for that matter. Neither is it subjectively determined. In other words, “my truth” has little correspondence to what constitutes genuine truth. Truth is not a synonym for one’s opinions or preferences. For example, my feelings that blue is the prettiest color should not be described as truth because it is only my preference. It may be true that I believe blue is the prettiest color, but my opinions on my preferences are not germane to what authentic truth actually is. Truth is always truth, whether we prefer it or not. Regrettably, our world is horribly confused about truth, and our avoidance of biblical truth only adds to that confusion.
Amazingly, Jesus actually explained what attracts people to him. He disclosed it, rather ironically, while speaking to someone that was utterly confused about who he was. John 18:37 captures this dialogue: “Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So then, you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this also I have come into this world, so that I might testify to the truth. Anyone who is of the truth hears My voice’” (John 18:37). Jesus stated that what attracts people to him is his testimony concerning truth, and most importantly the truth about himself. Consequently, those outside the church that are searching for authentic truth have the greatest potential of receiving him as their savior. This is not the only passage that details this phenomenon. John also wrote, “But anyone practicing the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be revealed as having been carried out by God” (Jn. 3:21). Therefore, affirming that Jesus is “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12) is the best way to draw those seeking for truth. Which is why Jesus said “If you abide in my words . . . then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:31b-32). For this very reason we should emphasize Jesus’ teachings because he is the epitome and source of eternal truth. Regrettably, however, churches focusing on Jesus’ teachings and biblical truth are not vogue these days.
Nevertheless, Paul described the church as “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). We can only be so, however, in direct proportion to our commitment to emphasizing biblical truth. And Paul was an example of one that never let deference to political correctness keep him from speaking truthfully, for in Galatians 4:16 he wrote “. . . have I become your enemy by speaking the truth to you?” (cf. Eph. 4:25). That is not to say that he was an insensitive man. He understood that how we communicate biblical truth can significantly impact its reception. This concern is why Paul wrote “. . . but speaking truth with love, let us grow in Him in all things, who is the head, who is Christ” (Eph. 4:15). He understood that we must live in a manner that is in harmony with the truth that we proclaim. Similarly, Jesus explained that an essential element of authentic worship was the truthfulness in which it was conducted. While interacting with another person that was also confused about God and truth, he explained that “. . . an hour is coming and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks . . . God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23-24). Let that sink in; God is seeking worshipers, but authentic worshipers are those that are committed to proclaiming and living out biblical truth.
Tragically, our aversion to biblical truth not only undermines our ministries but it also offends the Holy Spirit. For spreading the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ is the Holy Spirit’s main concern. Jesus himself explained that “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me” (Jn. 15:26). And this focus on the truth about Christ pleases God, for he desires that all people might “be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). One only needs to do a word search within the Bible to discover how often the gospel and the scriptures are associated with truth. The sheer amount of passages and what they communicate will amaze you; that is if you love truth.
Regrettably, far too many churches think we will attract more people by simply changing peripheral things. For example, some want to make church more enjoyable and comfortable. That approach will only attract people looking for fun and comfort. Others feel that if we use the right “language,” then we will make truth more attractive. Such a practice only attracts those comfortable with the language that is used. And lastly, sermons that are merely religious speeches sprinkled with humor but void of biblical truth will not attract those seeking for real truth. When we do these types of things, then we actually damage our evangelistic efforts. Paul warned of this danger, stating that “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (1 Cor. 1:17). Simply put, whenever we demand that pastors preach with hyper-excited “christianese” or any other type of communication style that appeals only to us as insiders then we actually drain the gospel of its life changing power. And the same is true whenever we dress up biblical truth with alluring secular language.
The reality is that people seeking genuine truth are appalled whenever anyone camouflages it with political spin. We do not need to use progressive or conservative “window dressings” to proclaim truth. As an old Indian proverb goes, “Speaking truth does not need many words.” We only need to faithfully and plainly preach biblical truth and pray that the Spirit of Truth will draw seekers to us. Will this approach guarantee that our churches will grow? No one can make that promise. Nevertheless, continuing as if it’s business as usual is a non-starter. We must return to planting and watering with biblical truth and prayerfully trust God for the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7). What is certain, however, is that we will not reach people for Christ because we marketed or tailored the gospel with verbiage that is politically sensitive or socially attractive. Instead, we must focus upon truthfully proclaiming God’s word. As the Psalmist wrote, “I love Your precepts . . . O LORD, . . . the sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.”
Our only hope for reaching those seeking real truth is to faithfully proclaim the news about the one that is “the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14.6). Using slick marketing, entertainment, or the latest fashionable political “dialectic” will never satisfy those searching for genuine truth. It may increase our attendances, but that is not the same as reaching people with the gospel. Additionally, we should not be surprised that the world will be offended by our unadulterated proclamation of biblical truth. Peter wrote that “Many will follow their own sensualities, and because of them the way of the truth will be scorned as blasphemy” (2 Pet. 2:2). Nevertheless, we must not fear the world’s rejection, for becoming deferential to its appetites and sensitivities is to become worldly. Faithfulness to God demands emphasizing biblical truth; and most importantly, the truth about Jesus. This commitment offers the greatest potential for reaching truth-seekers with the good news about the One who is the The Truth.
Copyright, © Monte Shanks 2022