Anthony Ward May 10th, 2011

Please don't tell me that he is saying mega churches are to blame for the lack of church attendance overall. How could that possibly make sense. i hope I'm reading it wrong.
When I was attending a small some what dead church many years ago there were not as many mega churches around. I left that dull church that was full of strife and got involved in another smaller church that had love and vision. It is now a large church while my former church is the same size it was 25 years ago. Living things grow. And growth doesn't just mean numbers. It means can we be culturally relevant and still maintain the powerful message of the gospel.
I do agree with the remainder of the post. We need to restore healing and meditation.

Bruce Bronson May 12th, 2011

I believe that Tony forgot a fourth item that is plaguing Christians today and that is the economic turmoil of our times. We are all concerned about the economic well being of not only ourselves but also for our children and for the poor of our world. And I am sensing a growing movement among Christians to find an economic savior among the growing list of candidates in next years elections.

In a nutshell I am adding economic worries to environmental worries, medical worries, and peaceful coexistence worries. All of which are valid concerns as we struggle to live a life that is pleasing to God. I am sure you can come up with worries of your own. But we could quote Jesus on this one:

Mt 6:31. So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Maybe the church has overlooked the part about seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness and substituted it with solutions that the pagans have come up as they run to deal with the same worries in their vain attempts to build Utopia or their version of heaven. The struggle is the same but the solutions and the outcomes are very much different. And so is God's Heaven.

Is the Christian alternative to be found in more books or more programs or more getaway weekends to pray about it? No, the answers are found in God's Word, Genesis to Revelation. Whether it be studied in booming mega churches or small seemingly failing mini churches.

Well you might say there are so many voices out there and so many interpretations, which has always been true. The fact of the matter is, what do we think about the Scriptures, how much do we study it, what is our opinion, are we comparing notes with others and finding those of a like mind.

I know it sounds like chaos but is it any worse than the world's 'panic attacks' about our worries. At least God's Word promises rewards for those who diligently seek answers. Analyze what you hear from a preacher or teacher, compare it to Scripture, and learn to discern truth from error.

Just imagine our churches full of Bereans who grow up spiritually to be scientists, politicians, businessmen, etc. This is how we change the world.

As a beginning, and I am biased, but a trip to a local, or not so local Creation Museum would be a great place to begin our journey through the Scriptures. Most scientific Christians have down to earth answers about God's original perfect design, the judgment for our rebellion, the ongoing normal wear and tear of existence, and sensible actions and reactions to the curse we are all under.

Of course we do have to question not only secular but Christian scientists according to a Biblical standard. Believe me it is exciting and rewarding to be involved. Gets our minds off our worries and will make a difference.

Sun is up, a new day is dawning, gotta go…

Tony Campolo May 31st, 2011

Dear Bruce,

Thanks for your note. I take it for granted that care for the poor and the elimination of the economic anxieties that pervade our nation are at the center of the Red Letter Christian movement, and that everybody knows that that's foremost in our thinking. In spite of that fact, it is a serious omission to not mention the economic perils of our day as a primary concern.

Thanks for reminding me. I will make sure not to make that mistake in the future.

Sincerely,
Tony Campolo

Bruce Bronson June 1st, 2011

Hey Tony, do you remember an advertising character from years past named Tony the Tiger for Frosted Flakes, "They're Grrrrreat!"? Or how about Exxon's slogan "Put a Tiger in your Tank". Of course today these slogans, among others, are politically incorrect.

Everything must be sugar free, or light beer (hey, hard work and moderation), or organic, or we need electric cars to save us from the evil oil companies and save the planet, or we should drink decaf coffee at Starbucks and shop only at Target' because Wal Mart will not allow labor unions and they employ too many immigrant types and retired people who want to work for a living and probably will not vote Democratic. We are being manipulated Tony.

My addition of a fourth item (not about me having a better list by the way) about economics was I believe an important item especially if we are talking about feeding the homeless/getting them off their butts and/or helping people to find work to save/build that house or that family or live that 'godly' lifestyle.

Jesus said in John 10:10. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

There is the abundant part that we quote and there is the part about the thief that we tend to forget. There are those who tell us we should worry about, well your three things and the one I just added, and a lot more, and then influence us with worldly and detrimental solutions.

That covers 2 or 3 of paragraphs of my original response and it was just a lead in to the rest of that response which you did not respond to or 'what is the solution'. We can feel good about ourselves and continue treat the disease but we also have to deal with the causes. Else we will just continue to treat the disease and never get to a solution.

Like that other Bruce, I write computer programs also. And I love to 'develop' programs. I have been told that we need 'quick little ditties' and not 'symphonies'. When I have a program that does what is necessary and works well but also has 'added value', then I am happy. What I hate is when others who have written the 'ditties' and have moved on to bigger and better things and I have to go into 'maintenance mode' to fix the problems.

What is my solution? I had 7 more paragraphs in my original response. In summary, the real power and solutions are in God's Word and His'tory, not just books, tapes, and yes, even theologies. We should be 'developing' God's people and that means teaching them to think for themselves and not necessarily what to think. Else, all we have is 'maintenance mode'.

Gosh, I wish we could all make beautiful music together. Go get em Tiger.