Recently the confirmation class from our church spent four days in the city of Detroit. They attended worship in a synagogue, a Catholic Church, with a predominately African American congregation, and a contemporary worship service in a mega church.
They spent time in dialogue with the Islamic Center of America. They gave of their time in a ministry serving the homeless and needy in the city.
That weekend is a critical component of a year long searching of what it means to be a Christian.
The first half of the year is spent in understanding the basics of the Christian faith and learning the story of Jesus. The second half is learning what difference being a Christian in the world today.
Why should we care about the needy? How does living as a Christian impact our vocational choices, our spending, our ethics and our relationships? What does it mean to be in a Christian in a world of diversity? How should we relate to others who have found meaning and passion in worship styles and religion different than our own?
These are the kind of issues worth considering for those who are considering what faith steps they are ready and committed to make in this world.
A new survey of religious affiliation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, titled ‘U.S. Religious Landscape Survey,? depicts a highly fluid and diverse national religious life.
The study reveals two statistics of particular interest. The first is that 44 percent of Americans have switched religious affiliations. More Americans are moving among faiths, as denominational loyalty erodes.
This tells us people are in need of and looking for a relevant faith. In our world, people need a faith providing genuine spiritual experiences impacting their lives.
Such need is strong enough to send them out seeking such experiences.
Some in their searching have been left in growing numbers unaffiliated with organized religion. The survey indicates the group that had the greatest recent net gain was the unaffiliated.
More than 16 percent of American adults say they are not part of any organized faith, which makes the unaffiliated the country’s fourth largest ‘religious group.?
In an age where people are living with greater uncertainty and seeking meaningful faith, churches must move to demonstrate relevance.
That requires getting to the basics of what is core to faith. It demands we teach our children and congregations how to live in a world more diverse than we often find in our congregations.
The world is searching for deep relevant faith. Some have turned away from organized faith when it has not spoken to the real life issues they need.
It is my hope all churches will deepen their faith and commit to being relevant to a seeking world. It is my prayer the ‘unaffiliated? will give the church another chance and assist us making a holy difference in the world.
May our children lead the way.
The Rev. Rick Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.