Manifesto
Several months ago, pazuzuzu asked me to clarify my stance on why I believe the mainstream Christian Church is off-target in a lot of its activities. So this is it: the big computersherpa manifesto post. Non-Christians may not be interested in what I have to say here. Apologies to the folks on Myst Blogs who are about to be buried by a wall of text. 
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The Bible teaches that there is one core drama unfolding in this world--and it isn't a struggle of good against evil (that was eternally settled at the cross, though it continues temporally). The drama we live in is about the eternal gather; the eternal destiny of Earth's multitudes in choosing not between good and evil or wisdom and folly, but between choosing God promotion versus self promotion. Those who lay their lives down before God's son and swear their allegiance to Him are adopted into His family. Those who think their eternal place in Heaven can be won by sheer self-worthiness (though self sacrifice, good deeds or just plain natural deservedness) are toast. Forever. Added to the drama is active opposition by supernatural forces we cannot see, that are vastly more powerful and intelligent than we are and who don't crush us only because they are restrained by all powerful One living within those who are His. It is the ultimate Epic.
Life is all about two things: First, the personal decision to surrender all hope of possessing enough merit before God to win a place in heaven apart from dependence on Jesus' death to count for oneself, too. Second, the life pursuit of others to make that same eternal life or death choice. All the seminars and church attendance and personal devotions are there to build relationship with God, refine our character and conscience and deeds, build an encouraging and coordinated team to keep going and get more done, and sharpen our skill set for helping others join our family and do the same.
So we are in the midst of the grandest of stories; a story being unfolded daily and with the highest stakes possible. It's why every day counts, why our lives matter, why valor and courage and risk are worthier than goofing off. The clock is ticking down to zero for each of us; at the buzzer, another grave is dug, another destiny is fixed. And why your comments about the church missing the mark are not merely petty critique but vastly important to act upon. I respect your insight into the flaws--they certainly are real and when viewed on an eternal scale, much is not happening that would so powerfully transform the world if what you call for will happen.
You are a warrior, James for truth and what you see needs to be awakened in a vast multitude of sleeping Christians. John Eldridge and others are of your tribe; your cohort has a unique destiny. What you do now in this life, this day and every day, has the power to speak into the eternal future of those around you. You are indwelt by a Helper with infinite resources, a life path laid before you that you cannot see but are surely living out daily, and many potential allies within the family, if only they can be awakened to stand with you. The opposition is bent on distracting you, putting you to sleep or taking you down. If you choose to stand, depending on God and encouraging those He sends you, victory is yours. How's that for a story?
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The Bible teaches that there is one core drama unfolding in this world--and it isn't a struggle of good against evil (that was eternally settled at the cross, though it continues temporally). The drama we live in is about the eternal gather; the eternal destiny of Earth's multitudes in choosing not between good and evil or wisdom and folly, but between choosing God promotion versus self promotion.
Why can't it be both? The best stories are multithreaded. I'd expect that both of those threads and more are vitally important to the Story.
Also, I'm certainly not disputing that we're saved by grace, through faith. The heroics that we're called to would occur after salvation and are certainly not a prerequisite for entering Heaven. Part of my complaint, however, is that the Church is going all-out at obtaining new converts but doesn't have a solid plan for really helping the ones it has. The result is large congregations who aren't much different from the way they were pre-conversion. The outside world looks at that and isn't impressed by it. Doing great things should naturally attract admirers and thus bring the Church more converts. The way the Church does it now puts the cart before the horse.
I feel that it's not our job to convert people--it's God's. Christians must be ready to witness at all times, but most people (in civilized countries, anyway) aren't interested in being preached to.
Consider this: Every single person in the United States can hear the Gospel if they want to. There are churches in every town and several in every city. All a person has to do is walk through the doors and they can most assuredly hear the Good News from someone. But there's precious little reason to do so, because everyone already has. What we need to do is make people want to come in and ask because they're amazed at what a difference the Church makes.
The situation is much different overseas. In places such as Africa and Siberia, the Church has much less extensive coverage, and missionaries are needed to plant churches, grow them to maturity, and give them the knowledge and tools they need to become self-sustaining and self-propagating. I consider foreign missionaries to be the foremost heroes of the Church, and I think that if they were asked many Christians would agree. We need more heroes like that, but in a different direction. Preaching the Gospel isn't the only way to win people's hearts. We need to make people come to us.
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