Church Image

THE ISSUE:

Unlike his predecessor, John Paul II, the current pope, Benedict XVI, wasn’t blessed with a telegenic smile and kindly, twinkling eyes. Even his gowns intimidate, according to some who believe he needs to work on the image he’s projecting.

The solution? The pope has hired Italian fi lm and opera legend Franco Zeffi relli to give him a “happier” image, in an eff ort to make him more accessible to the masses.

However, he is not the only one suff ering from an image crisis. Since the Enlightenment, Christianity has been having a “bad hair day” or should that be a few "bad hair” centuries.
There’s a general feeling today that Christianity is out-dated and irrelevant.

Indeed, after the horrors of the Dark Ages, the Crusades and the Inquisition, it’s little wonder people are cynical and bitter toward Christianity. Its bad media image—from jokes about Catholic priests to books by atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens—is being multiplied and strengthened until it is part of the psyche of the once-Christian West.
We should be aiming for humble self-denying love, yet our image is of elitist, hypocritical prudes. The reality is somewhere in between.

"By our words and actions, are we boosting the reputation of Christianity, or are we unwitting accomplices in presenting an unchristian faith to outsiders?” (David Kinnaman, UnChristian, page 43.)  

RESPONSE:

The established church in Jesus’ day also suff ered from an image problem.
After centuries of turning their backs on God, the Israelites got religious—real religious. With hardcore rules and regulations, the lives of the religious became tough, in a reaction to the paganism that had destroyed them in the past.

Yet they were missing the point. “You hypocrites, you snakes,” Jesus accused them.
It was not their rules he was attacking. It was their “inwardness.” Let me explain.
They were so busy following the rules they only looked inward. Hence, they could not see or relate to the world outside. They ignored the social problems in their country. They cut down others and fought for power. And most telling of all, they missed their Saviour. The long-awaited Messiah walked among them and they cut him down. They were too busy looking in.

Modern Christians are accused of doing the same thing. With so much pain in the world, how can we claim relevance if we are busy fi ghting among ourselves? I am not suggesting we hire image consultants and all get makeovers. I am suggesting we look to others before ourselves, emulate our Saviour and live up to our calling. Be bold, be radical and love one another. “Do not conform . . . to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV).

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another” (Galatians 5:12-15, NLT).  

ACT:

> Plan an event or activity with your youth group to create a more positive image of church in your local community— fundraise for a local school, clean up elderly people’s gardens, etc.

> Make a list of problems in your Christian life and pray about them. You could also organise an accountability group or a friend with whom you can share honest constructive feedback about problem areas in your lives.

> Don’t just live the lifestyle, although what we do can be important (or even show others about our relationship with God). Make sure there’s substance to it. Discipleship, worship, studying the Bible, serving others, stewardship and nurturing other’s faith is all part of it, rather than just looking like we’re "good.”

> Think before acting, if possible.

LINKS:

>www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=280
> www.churchmarketingsucks.com
> www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity
> www.christianitymagazine.co.uk
> The Bible