Who gets to write this stuff? Responding to most recent article by Star Tribune on the "unchurching of America"

Yesterday the Star Tribune continued a series of articles about the decline of the church when Ron Way wrote a 1800 word article called, “What Churches Get Wrong.” http://www.startribune.com/how-to-repopulate-the-churches/494003741/  Way share his nostalgia for his local congregation (Methodist) of the 1950s.  He wrote about the church as a place where “churches were the spiritual and social centers of those they served.”  He went on to criticize the Catholic Church for clergy sexual abuse and skewered televangelists, (Joel Osteen and others; he even took a shot at Billy Graham). He went on to share his own views about Jesus and the Bible. He closed by writing that churches “must become relevant to today’s realities, and in the process regain diminished moral authority.” He shared a few examples of churches who relate scripture to social issues.

As a pastor who helped successfully redevelop one church and who started a thriving faith community from scratch, I understand the issues about which Ron Way wrote.  And I applaud the Star Tribune for the two earlier articles that Jean Hopfensberger wrote about the unchurching of America and the decrease of people going into seminary.    

But who is Ron Way and how does he get to write articles under the headline “what churches get wrong?”  I wanted an answer myself to this question.  I discovered after some Internet research that he wrote for the Star Tribune and MN Post.  The Star Tribune only identified his byline in the article as living in Edina.  In the article Way shared that he had read the Bible and most likely read authors like Marcus Borg. 

However, what is his authority? I have opinions about how the Vikings should be run and I did play Division III football, but I doubt the Vikings are going to ask me how to beat the Rams this Thursday night. And even if I wrote a 1800 word game plan I'm pretty sure that Mike Zimmer would not implement it.

I think I would enjoy talking over a beer with Ron Way about the current challenges and the future of the church.  I’m sure we could have a wide-ranging and enjoyable conversation.  I can imagine that we would leave feeling edified about the ideas.  I could see us having email conversation about the travails and triumphs of local congregations.

However this article feels like a grenade being thrown into a doctor’s examining room. Way makes statements like, “Bible stories were never meant as literal history.” Hmm.  I agree myself that not all of the Bible is meant as history, but many important stories did happen.  A nuanced conversation about the authority and inspiration of Scripture is very important.  And I know of many people who could write with authority about that. 

A conversation about the future of the church is important and needed. But articles like this feed the cynicism that many have about the church. Just read the 200 comments in the Star Tribune about Way’s article and that cynicism comes through clearly.  In the community where I serve  congregations are vibrant and unique places. The church I serve meets in a converted bridal studio and has made an impact in homeless youth; another new church in the Blaine area had a huge event yesterday for families; all of the churches in the north Metro are dwarfed by Eagle Brook, the largest church in Minnesota with six campuses.  Lumping these congregations together is like saying a Prius and a Pontiac are the same.  Of course, both are cars, but they operate very differently. 

Just because a person has attended church and has strong opinions about its decline does not mean their opinions deserve to be in the Star Tribune.  Next time I read about the unchurching of America I’d like to read about a story about someone in the trenches (and there are many) who are successfully doing ministry.

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