“Why Church?” Andrew Means
Monday, March 22nd, 2010 Category: Articles 2 Comments 
Have you given up on the church? Are you about to? We want to hear why. Send us a 3 minute video explaining why you’re ready to walk away and you may win a trip to NYC with a friend to hear from leaders about the future of the global church. Find out more about the contest.
Why I’m Disillusioned-Short from Andrew Means on Vimeo.
Great meditation on the institutional church, Andrew. It is big business and it needs reforming. I recommend Frank Viola’s books.
Andrew, I empathize with much of what you are saying. I to have many times become disillusioned by the US church, mostly because my family and I are preparing to move to Asia to minister cross culturally and I have seen vast disinterest in missions. Most US churches are more interested in building up or preserving their own stature, because they believe the Gospel ministry only happens within the structure of a local church, that they ignore the “sending of people into the world” aspects of Christ’s commission.
I am concerned about this statement you made: “I’m very disillusioned by a church that is going to be all inclusive in heaven by is so exclusive her on earth.” It is extremely important that you define what you mean by “inclusive.” If you mean inclusive in the way that Rev. 5:9-10 talks about it (there will be worshipers of Christ from every tribe and language), I would agree. I would also agree that our worship, including all aspects or worship, is appropriately contextualized to the culture we live in.
The danger in using the word “inclusive” is that it has historically been used to refer to universalism (the belief that all will be accepted by God in eternity or that all paths lead to God). I could not gather from you video how you were using that term. Are you trying to say that being a Christian (Christ follower, how ever you want to word it) does not necessitate adherence to a specific Church culture, like one you might find at Willow Creek or other distinctive churches? If you are trying to say that, I would completely agree.
It is important that we uphold that being a “Christian” is rooted in belief in fundamental doctrines of Christianity formulated under the direction of The Spirit, rooted in the Scriptures and through the Church fathers and first century apostles, and a striving to be like Christ, which includes a love and respect for his bride (the universal church).
Again, I empathize with much of what you are saying, I have been there. I can say from personal experience, we have to guard ourselves against to much cynicism, least we give up the faith because we cannot handle the apparent chaos and still trust in the sovereignty of God.