It is a fair question to ask our evangelical sisters and brothers in those departing congregations how they intend to witness to Christ's love in an increasingly secular, religiously skeptical world when they can't even find ways to lovingly witness to people of faith who largely share their core values whatever the differences driven by the hot button issues. As evangelicals across America continue to separate themselves from the rest of American society, they only serve to build the walls between themselves and the rest of society higher and thicker. How will they ever meaningfully and effectively share God's love from behind those walls?
On the other hand, as I wrote a couple of posts back (here), it is an equally good question to ask of progressive and moderate Presbyterians, "When will we ever learn to share our faith in ways that bring people to Christ and to church?" Many of the dying Presbyterian and other mainline congregations have impressive records of public service done in Christ's name. From all of that service, however, few individuals outside of the church if any discovered faith in Christ.
So, there's the irony for you. A recent Gallup Poll (here) indicates that most Americans agree that religion is losing its influence in society and, interestingly, many of them think we would be better off if it didn't lose its influence. But those who have a heart for evangelism cut themselves off from those they would evangelize. Those who can best share faith effectively in our secular age aren't interested in doing so. Indeed, they often reject the idea of faith-sharing (witnessing, evangelizing) as being "like them," that is the like "those narrow-minded" evangelicals. We love our walls.
