Christianity is declining in America.

And that might not be a bad thing, because it’s not the real issue.

Maybe what’s fading is the shiny replica of the Church that we’ve created.

The American church that’s been publicized is one built on polished sermons and impressive stages. It’s been more concerned with attendance than service. It’s been more concerned with comfort than breakthrough.

Maybe the world doesn’t hate Jesus as much as we think. Maybe they just haven’t seen much of him lately.

What they’ve seen in America over the last 50 years is mostly is a cheap replica – just close enough to fool the untrained eye.

And they’re not wrong to feel let down.

Evil will always push back against truth. That’s to be expected.

But we’re not fighting against evil people. We’re fighting spiritual deception. (Ephesians 6:12)

And how do we overcome deception?

But Jesus said we would be known by our fruit. (Matthew 7:16)

If we’re led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14), that means we should be known for:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience (Long-suffering)
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

And yet statistically, the attributes American Christians are least known for are care, friendliness, generosity, encouragement, and hope.

Peter said we should be ready to give a reason for our hope. Of course, that means we have to first live like people with hope.

People aren’t necessarily walking away from God.

They’re walking away from the off-brand version of Him we’ve presented that looks like false hope.

There are still plenty of people in the world who are hungry for the gospel.

We’ve just made the gospel about something other than the gospel.

Jesus never said to build churches. He said to make disciples.

Likewise, the early Church looked very different than what we’ve built in America.

• They shared everything they had willingly. We get mad if anyone talks about money in church.
• They met together every day. We show up twice a month when it’s convenient.
• They broke bread in their homes and centered their lives around communion. We go to a small group every couple weeks and sip juice from plastic cups once a quarter.
• They prayed constantly. We say formulaic, surface level prayers and only in the transitions in the service.
• They were known for their conviction and love for one another. We’re known for condemnation.
• They were united. We’re divided in every way imaginable.
• People noticed them and they grew. People are noticing us and we’re shrinking.

The difference is stark.

Maybe we need to stop asking how to get people back into church and start asking how to get the Church back into people.

The world is tired of the show…and good for them.

They want hope. They want to be healed and made whole. They want to encounter something real.

Yes, Jesus said that the truth that will set them free…and we love hammering the truth…but…

The full context of His statement is:

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Truth comes through discipleship. It comes from living out the teaching of Jesus in our lives. THEN the truth will set us free.

Truth is only discerned through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Which means…

The world needs to see the Spirit in us before they can discern what we’re saying.

Which means…

We have to transform before we can insist on a broken world transforming (see plank and log, Matthew 7:5).

And here’s the uncomfortable truth:

If they can’t see the Spirit in us, then maybe there aren’t as many people deserting God as we think.

Maybe we’re the ones who have gone missing.