I don’t know why we are surprised that religion in North America is in trouble. Some still deny it. We value what we participate in. Church attendance is down in mainline churches of any kind compared to a decade ago. We attend games, concerts, movies, and a host of events other than church. Enough said. It is common to hear, “I am not into church and organized religion, but I am in interested in being spiritual.” Hmm. North American Christianity has been swimming in the waters of consumerism entitlement and materialism for quite some time. We have floated comfortably on the raft of cultural affirmation of religious values. No more. This raft has a hole in it and is sinking fast. BUT in the global south (Latin America and Africa) Christianity is flourishing. If you are in to good stats and analysis, read Philip Jenkins works, THE END OF CHRISTENDOM: The Coming of Global Christianity–The End of Christendom
There is hope. Even Jeremiah stood in the ashes of Jerusalem and said, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases–his mercies never come to an end.” Lam 3.22-24
First comes lament, then hope–all because of who God is not because we have it together.