I suspect there may be some truth to this, actually.
But if it is, it's partly because our culture is being dumbed down. Once upon a time, judging by books of published sermons, the average Protestant congregation had the attention span and the intellectual skill to listen to a relatively long, robust sermon and digest it, integrating it into their understanding in the same way that they might integrate material from a complex book or article. Today we are often preaching to people whose attention span has been shaped by Facebook and Twitter, and who complain if you preach for longer than ten minutes. Knowing at what level to pitch your sermon can be quite difficult; I have had people tell me that my sermons are "too academic" and that they want a different style. (Partly that's about delivery and I needed to learn that, too, but it illustrates my point somewhat).
I'm currently running a study series on mission of the local church in the local context, across two neighbouring churches, and I've struggled to get more than two or three people to come. Everyone is too busy, too overcommitted, too stressed to take on another thing, no matter how worthy, and a study group is felt to be optional.
So there are significant barriers to a vibrant and effective teaching ministry. I find I end up doing a lot of teaching informally, one-on-one, in cafes and the like; but even then the focus tends to be on the pastoral rather than the teaching dimension.
It's something which frustrates me because I worry about cultivating a shallow faith in the congregation, but I don't necessarily have the answers as to how to overcome it. I suspect we could make much better use of church websites and blogs as teaching spaces; I dabble in this a bit, but find it difficult to get older congregation members to take online resources seriously.
What do you think might work?
I wish I had gone back and inserted the word "'systematically' are very slowly and surely being dumbed down'". You do have a very good point, Paidiske. It's the times more so than anything. Our social mindset is gradually transferring to automatic tidbit dispenser, like hamster food! We are eating more than we realise, but its somehow not doing us much ultimate good. You sound very wise, very aware of your abilities, with a deep understanding of your congregation. Maybe its time you tell them the heartfelt concerns you just told us? You might be surprised that they were thinking along the very same lines. If not, help them to think like that! Pray for God's direction, preparation, and release. I'll be doing the same for you. Being honest with others may sting at first, but it fades. Except for those who don't like honesty. But then, they don't like anyone's honesty.
Seeing the sheer power and authority these old time preachers of God's Word utilized? Makes you wonder. Where did that go off to? When did we Christians think we don't have the rights to engage those in a more powerful way? Keep everyone happy? When and where did Jesus say that? The more these men of God convicted people of personal sin, the more they wanted to turn their hearts to the Lord?! Huh? It seemed nothing stopped the message of salvation then: People read the bible daily. Families prayed together thinking nothing odd of it. Packed evangelistic tent meetings sprang up all over. Bible studies were attended by almost every church member. People attended each other's churches for special meetings. Prayer meetings sometimes went round the clock. Most outside of 'regular church hours', too?! What did they have that we don't?
For a few months a while back I was forced to remain at home, and decided to watch a few of these celebrity televangelists on TV. I was astounded. Every single one spoke of the power and authority of Jesus Christ in the believer's life to affect the world for God's glory like it was supposed to be a common occurrence. Can't say I've ever heard that before in such a meaningfully profound way. Of course, they promoted their ministries. Give, give, give. And there's the dichotomy of, don't they believe in the divine power and authority they proclaim? Well, yes, they do. You don't get if you don't ask. Same principle applies to God. You don't get what you never ask Him for. And He yearns to give, give, give! Just don't use it for your own ends. He's not fond of that. At all.
It's all very confusing, even now. But it did get me thinking about 1 Peter 2:9 and Rev. 1:6, where both Apostles Peter and John tell believers (including women, guys), that we ALL have the same equal authority and power of a priest in Jesus Christ. Really? Can't say I ever recognized that significance, plodding along this comfortable path toward heaven. That was a genuine turning point in my spiritual plod. Now I know a bit more of why the Lord made me
SIT STILL for so long (when doing so goes against my nature). I know He is God, alright! Like Job, I was falling into surreptitiously settling for facts 'about' God. I didn't really
know Him or that His power and authority in His name... was already mine? Really? Now I want to know the why. For some reason He's directed me to keep studying those old time preachers' heart for the Gospel, and for believers ongoing sanctification I 'accidentally stumbled into'. I first blew them off as too old-fashioned. No longer! The church needs to remember and access that divine power more often today. God wants to use it for His glory. I no longer want dumbed down now.
I want GOD. It's become almost a daily prayer... demand. Hey, I want my rights, in Him. What can I say?
