What’s Keeping Progressive Christianity From Actually Progressing?

Dwindling Ecclesiological Significance…

Look, nobody even knows what this word “ecclesiology” means.

Many people question openly whether or not our decline is due to our progressive set of beliefs or, the lack thereof…

To an extent, I’d agree: It’s just that I think we (i.e. progressives) have chosen the wrong “hills to die on”… (e.g. Jesus not being the only way; the inexistence of hell; etc.). Many of these aren’t even “orthodox”; we’re right in that they’re borderline unbiblical… the list, it goes on.

At the core of what we’re about, as progressives, is helping and loving others. We want unity yet, all we’ve seemed to achieve is more division within Christianity and a continued racial and fiscal homogeny.

These lofty theological and ecclesiological statements are very real to us but, to others, they appear as this made-up academic jargon we use to assuage our own egos with.

Very much like the DNC, the progressive church has found herself disconnected, homogenous, and borderline “Machiavellian” (e.g. creepy, exhausting, sociopathic, not-relational, etc.).

It’s perplexing, at best.

While we’re worried about theology and issues of academia the rest of the world is worried about paying their bills, not being evicted, and where their child’s next meal will come from.

You see, people, we don’t want to lobby for the progressive agenda they want a deity that’s going to solve their problems.

At the very least, the average person simply wants a temporary distraction, the allusion of hope, a safe place for if only but on hour (also, I get the nuance and how enraging my acknowledgment of this may come across).

Like it or not, mega-churches provide and offer this. It’s why whatever it is Joel Osteen is offering works. It’s why Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life” was the best selling book, ever (well, literally, second to that of the Bible). And, it shines light upon why churches such as Hillsong are booming, internationally.

It’s the radical fusion of western pop culture with, comparatively, stoic religiosity. It takes Christianity out of the margins and re-categorizes it as relevant.

So, the questions I’m left with is simply this: Can the progressive church reorient herself in order to save this ship from sinking?