Christianity in the minority

US News and World Report: The first American colonists were Protestant, and for roughly four centuries their descendents, along with successive waves of Protestant immigrants, have been the country’s dominant religious group. But now Protestants are on the verge of becoming a statistical minority in the U.S., according a study released today.

All the news concerning the "current" religious makeup in our country is in some ways encouraging to me. I know that overtly religious Christian groups are probably condemning our country to hell, referencing the usual suspects: rock music, abortion, teenagers, gay marriage, and Hollywood, but I see the church in America slowly getting her voice back.

In 312 Constantine adopted Christianity as the major religion in the Roman world and as a result the church has never been the same. Historians attribute this act as the starting point for the union of the church and the state, a union that has not been all roses. This edict resulted in the explosion of the church, as its power and influence were changed overnight. But with "great power, comes great responsibility" (Parker, Peter. Spiderman. Columbia Pictures, 2002). Corruption, greed, and the desire for power became a part of the new church and though it never totally corrupted the church, nothing can or ever will because it is the bride of Christ, the pursuit of power definitely altered the mission and purpose of its existence.

Which brings us to 2008. The Christian church, whose sole purpose is to rescue those who are lost and hurting and bring them into the saving grace of Christ, has the opportunity to reach a generation of people who have never walked into a church. As a minority faith in this country, without the opportunity for the type of power and control we have "enjoyed" over the last 200 years, we can focus on reaching out to a hurting world that desperately needs the love of a Savior.

Erwin McManus says that we need to become a refuge for the world, not from it. As the church, we are now reaching people who do not have a predisposed disposition against the church. I get excited to be a part of God's church during this period in our country's history because it is the good news of Jesus, and only the good news of Jesus, that will change this world. It seems like we have been trying to do it on our own for so long. I think Paul had something to say about that in Galations.

So may we invite and reach out to those who need Christ, because that is what he did for you and me. And may we do it with humility, imitating Him who humbled himself to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2).