I was asking myself the other day why more churches in our area aren't growing. Most churches in our area preach and teach evangelical Christianity.

In other words, there is a strong emphasis on helping people to enter into a life-saving and life-changing relationship with God through Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death on the cross.

Most preach and teach the basic truths of the Bible and challenge their people to live lives consistent with the teachings of the Bible.

And yet so many churches are much smaller than they were say, 30 or 40 years ago.

Some would argue that it is not the church's fault, because most people today just don't want to accept the message.

But can we really blame anyone but ourselves (Christians)?

If the message of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago, as I believe it is, then perhaps it is the way in which we present the gospel message that is failing.

Why, for example are we struggling to reach younger generations?

Are they just too stubborn to listen?

Or are we simply presenting the message to them in a way that is not relevant to them and their lives.

Perhaps we are failing to reach younger generations, and others, because we present a version of Christianity more suited to the 1950s culture than to that of the 21st century.

Perhaps it is because we talk in 16th century English, and use religious language and symbols that do not connect with those who did not grow up with them.

In other words, maybe the reason so many churches are struggling is because for so many people who didn't grow up in church, or have drifted away from church, we have become out-dated, and therefore irrelevant, to their lives.

I've heard it said that we no longer live in a non-Christian society.

We now live in a &#8221pre-Christian“ society.

In other words, millions of people in our nation do not even know enough about Christianity to make an informed decision.

And if we expect to reach them, we must present the message of Jesus Christ in a way that is relevant to them, and in a way they can understand it.

It has to connect with them where they are in their lives right now!

That great Christian and early missionary Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:22 that so long as the Bible does not strictly prohibit something, we are to do whatever it takes to reach people for Jesus, and allow God to use us to draw others to Him.

Paul's greatest concern was to connect people with God through Jesus, whatever it took.

And if that meant ignoring some of the religious traditions that he had been taught to follow while growing up, that's just what he did.

And I can't help but wonder how many churches, and leaders of churches, including pastors, are more concerned about doing things the way they've always been done, and keeping the people in the pews happy, than they are reaching people for Jesus, whatever it takes.

I get particularly frustrated with this whole argument over traditional vs. contemporary worship.

We Christians get all caught up in trying to figure out which is the right way, or which is the best way.

What did Paul say?

He challenged us to &#8221become all things to all people, so that by all means we might see some saved.“

That means when we are trying to reach out to folks who love church the way it has been for many years, then by all means, do it the way it has been done for many years.

Use the traditions.

And do the best job you can with God's help.

But when you're trying to connect with people who don't understand old English, and aren't interested in hymns, use what connects with them and their culture today.

As Paul himself said, &#8221Be all things to all people, so that by all means, we might win some to Christ.“

Steve Judson is pastor of Memorial United Methodist Church in Coal Grove.