I was discussing with a friend about Annie Dillard’s observations about church as I wrote a few days ago. Here are some additional thoughts, as I expressed them to my friend:

I think thoughtful people like Annie Dillard react to our calmly confining the living God to a building where we practice sometimes ridiculous rituals. I’ll never forget a photo I saw accompanying an article about dying churches. There was a sanctuary that would hold maybe 150 people occupied by 6 people scattered around, facing forward singing a hymn, presumably led by someone, accompanied by an organ or something. The article was in World Magazine, and while I can’t find the picture, my letter to the magazine was published:

The photo of the United Methodist Church in Kansas says it all. It’s not just that there are only seven people in the building; it’s that they are using a form designed for large groups. When people expect, even demand, a particular form and refuse to change even when it must appear to be madness to any objective onlookers, it’s no wonder people looking for any sign of life and relevance can’t leave fast enough. – Bob Ewell, 2005

A friend of mine talks about scaffolding. We build a beautiful building, and to build it requires scaffolding. But the scaffolding should be removed after it’s built. But we leave it there. In Christian circles, more people are enamored with their particular scaffolding than they are with the true God.

Having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3.5, NIV)

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (Revelation3.1, NIV)