I feel that the whole mega church/church growth mentality has taken the church at large over the edge into an abyss of narcissism. It has placed a financial and volunteerism burden on Christians which has averted monies and physical assistance from area of dire need. The more inward the church has grown, the less outward in its true effectiveness.
The social gospel vs. conservative gospel has also created a scism which has forced liberals and conservatives to distance themselves from the positive aspects each has to offer. The result is a group of people trying to meet social concerns and working as advocates for social injustice often involving themselves with groups and institutions which are without the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and then you have more Biblically motivated believers who find themselves consumed by the increasing burden placed upon them by flourishing institutions which are becoming more and more inward in their ministries.
This has to grieve the heart of God. What a dynamic church we could be if we focused on one another's strengths rather than weaknesses.
Meanwhile, back at the secular ranch, the unchurched see institutional religion as becoming less relevant all the time. We wonder why youth have disconnected from church and the problem can be found more in the idea that the church has disconnected with the mission of God. I deal with unchurched people all the time, and their biggest beef with the church is that it appears so self-centered to them. I have to agree. That is not to say that the church has no social ministry agenda, but it is grossly overshadowed by those institutions that are building larger towers of Babel all the time.
It is increasingly difficult to find ministries that have a good vision for social justice. Tonycampolo.org is one of the few websites out there which offer a variety of sound social ministries that are worth investing time and money into. But, everyone of us can start our own social outreaches without stifling its outreach capability by placing it under an institutional umbrella. The first church often went out by twos and often one at a time. We would be amazed at how powerful and profound the Gospel seems to the lost went it is presented through compassion ministries. And the converts we make through this kind of outreach become some of the most Spirit-filled believers out there. It is time for the church to turn outward and to put the real meat and potatoes of compassion behind its evangelistic mission.
