Romans 13:11-14
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep.
The age of Christendom began when Emperor Constantine proclaimed Christianity as the religion of the realm in the 4th Century. In the United States, Christendom reached its height in the 20th Century. Today, it’s only a memory.
During the height of mainline Christianity in the United States, churches thrived. When a family moved into town, everyone asked them which church they would be joining. School activities were never held on Wednesday evenings (church night) or Sundays. Employers asked which church prospective employees belonged to. In some places, newspapers published Sunday School attendance rosters each week. Attendance for Sunday School and worship services was booming and congregations had more money than they knew what to do with.
Today, the vast majority of mainline congregations are struggling for their survival, financially and institutionally. Attendance and offerings, which were in a steady decline before the pandemic have plummeted post-pandemic. There is a palpable grief in our congregations as many long for the good old days when the pews were full and the money was flowing.
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep.
Here’s my take on all of this. During the golden age of Christendom, church membership was a social obligation. Attending Sunday School, Worship, and church events was expected. Those who didn’t participate actively became victims of rumors and social shaming. As always, God was present and active, forming faith and sharing God’s Love made known to us in Christ Jesus but, for many members, that wasn’t the primary reason for their participation.
Today, our members have to choose attending worship over work, school events, and social obligations. Society no longer rewards church attendance. Congregations can no longer afford to wait for things to get back to “normal”.
NOW is the moment for the Church to wake from sleep, to recognize ourselves as the sleeping giant that we are. Now that mainline congregations have been released from all the pressure to conform to social respectability, we are free to follow Jesus as he truly is. Following Jesus is, and has always been, countercultural. It’s now time for the Church to wake up and be the Church.
Prayer: Lord Jesus: Your Word has never been popular. Thank you for freeing us from the tyranny of conformity. Show us how you would have us serve you now. AMEN