Purification(1)

What is happening in the Church and in the world? Well, Churches are not what they were. Congregations falling, vocations disappearing, an increasingly elderly clergy and laity profile, younger generations indifferent or hostile, divisions within different Christian denominations as well as the historical differences between them. The Christian Church has fallen from its pre-eminent position in society, particularly in the West, to one of marginalisation and increasing secular and legal hostility. In short the Church is no longer an influential member of the establishment, having lost much of its corporate, political and social influence.

Under pressure from secular legislators and the myriad temptations of popular culture, it is fading to become nostalgic memory , rather like the Elves at the end of the Lord of the Rings. Will the Church quietly, metaphorically sail into the West, leaving just memories and the world to the new age of Man? Maybe, if Christians continue to see the Church as it has been, instead of looking to build the Kingdom of God as Jesus intended and commanded.