Recently the Internet has been abuzz reacting to a column by influential blogger, Michael Spencer, known as the "Internet Monk," who says that we are within ten years of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. Spencer speaks to the foibles, flaws and failures of evangelicalism as a sympathetic insider but with uncomfortable frankness.

And while I would challenge some of his conclusions, I also realize that we in the Christian retail industry have to be willing to hold a mirror up to ourselves to evaluate how we are doing in building God’s kingdom in the culture in which we live.

Spencer suggests that "Christian media will be reduced, if not eliminated" over the next ten years. Those are the kinds of statements that make many people in our industry shudder, perhaps even a bit angry.

But is it true? Is it inevitable? I don’t think so. Not if we tighten the belt of our biblical fidelity. Not if we begin to focus less on celebrity and more on authenticity and integrity. Not if we honor the relevance of the gospel and refuse to become irrelevant in the manner and methods we communicate and deliver it. Not if we are bold enough to say "no" to what may appeal to the market but is not faithful to our calling.

Spencer says, "We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it."

He may be right. But I shudder to think where we would be without the influence of youth ministers and Christian music and publishing, don’t you? How many of us were drawn into what we are doing today in this industry because of great Christian books and music that met us where we were? Spencer’s evaluation should not discourage us, but it should challenge us.

It should challenge us to become more intentional about the resources we create for the next generation, making sure that our industry is doing our part to make theologically meaty and sound books, videos, curriculum and music available and appealing to tomorrow’s church leaders.

Amidst some of his harsh projections, Spencer does offer a glimpse of hope. And it is a bandwagon I am hopeful more in our industry will jump onto. Spencer projects that “A small band will work hard to rescue the movement from its demise through theological renewal. This is an attractive, innovative, and tireless community with outstanding media, publishing, and leadership development.”

Frankly, when I look at some of what is selling well in our stores, I sense we need exactly this—a theological renewal—a recommitment to our calling to equip the church with theologically sound teaching and training. This can only come as we as publishers and record companies and gift manufacturers and retailers give prominence and promotion to that which is sound and solid, refusing to capitulate to the pressure to promote what will sell. Let’s be Biblically accurate and culturally relevant--without compromise.

Certainly our industry can’t turn the tide or change the course of all of evangelicalism on our own. But we can do our part. We can seek to become more faithful in the corner where we operate, using the influence God has granted to us not to build a business or to secure a movement, but to glorify Christ, make Him known, and build His kingdom.

Let’s press on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!

- Bill Anderson, President/CEO of CBA

CBA Web site, www.cbaonline.org

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