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TechnoratiFor years a war was raging inside him, but outwardly the Christian author sat in church and pretended all was well. Now he is ready to reveal his secret – he doesn’t want to go to church anymore.
Dr. Larry Crabb, a psychologist by profession, spoke to The Christian Post this past week about his struggles with the church and what he learned in his quest for the “real church” as revealed in his latest book Real Church: Does it exist? Can I find it?.
The following are excerpts from the interview.
CP: We often hear about the younger generation not finding church relevant to their lives or just plain boring, but from people in their 60’s – that’s not often heard about. How pervasive is this problem? I’m curious to know how widespread do you think this problem is for your age group.
Crabb: I think it is a whole lot more pervasive than people presume. I have been talking about this for a year or so since the book has come out and I have been sharing this with many of my peers. I don’t think I’ve met one person yet – I’m talking about anecdotal research here so it’s not formal – in about 40 to 50 people I’ve talked to who have responded, “My gosh, what is your problem. I love church!”
The response I’m getting at the positive end of the spectrum is, “Well, we still go and we think it’s a good thing. I don’t think it’s doing what it is supposed to be doing. I know we’re supposed to be asking what we can give to church not what we can get from church but I don’t feel like I want to even give anything anymore.” I hear a lot of that.
At the other extreme what I’m hearing a fair amount of people say includes the words boredom or indifference to describe church. When Sunday morning comes do they go to church, “Well, yeah we probably should but if not, no big deal.”
I think it is rather a widespread thing that people in my generation are not comfortable enough or maybe not open enough to make known how they feel about church, while young people are much more willing to share their opinions.
CP: What is it that you dislike so much about most churches?
Crabb: I think that is putting it too strongly. I am not sure I would say what I dislike, but more of what I find missing or disappoints me is a better way of putting it. If I had to say it in just one thought it would be this. I am fighting a battle within me that I believe everyone is fighting. It is not just because I am messed up and no one else is. They are deep internal battles that have to do with God and his plans for our lives and the Gospel. I don’t find the church taking into account in most of their activities what is going inside of me and my struggles.
I go to a church and most of the time the worship team gets up there and is smiling and singing their heads off and everyone is raising their hands and a lot of people is saying I will just take this as my weekly drug to feel good for a time. I would love to see a pastor or worship leader get up and say, “I don’t know what is happening in you. I would think that maybe we can find a reason for joy and praise. I don’t know where you are, but we want to meet you exactly where you are and whatever you’re going through.” Continue »
