Introduction
The Church in America is in crisis. The majority of people who describe themselves as “Christian” are mostly self-absorbed and looking for churches that will feed their individualistic faith.[1] The trend is clear. There is a widening gap between those who chose to attend a church for religious satisfaction and those who want to be the church.[2] The problem is that most of our efforts in church growth are designed to attract the individualist-religious. As a result, those who are seeking a vital relationship with God are leaving the established church to explore other faith expressions.[3] Far too many of these folks have resolved to abandon God’s design for church altogether in favor of a faith that is just as individualistic as the religious systems they have rejected.
Before we can properly deal with trends such as mega-churches, video-venues, Emergent theology, house churches, and other such movements, we need to understand the forces that have shaped our culture. In an effort to understand the present state of the church in Evangelical America, it is necessary to look into history and uncover the impact of some of the more influential leaders. One man who has had a tremendous and lasting impact upon the modern church is Charles G. Finney.[4] There is little doubt that Finney’s pragmatic approach to revival, if not his underlying theology, has been dominant in American evangelism and in the practices of the Church.[5] This series of articles will examine his use of the “new measures” of evangelism and survey their impact upon the general practice of the church today in the dimension of both spiritual and church formation.
Chapters In This Book
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: The Cultural Chaos of the 1800′s
Part 3: Man Becomes The Center of Faith
Part 4: Finney’s “Self-help” Theology
Part 5: New Measures and the Modern Church
Part 6: Lessons for the Church
Part 7: Implications for our Faith
The Church in Crisis
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