The Biggest Sunday Spectator Activity?

What is the biggest Sunday spectator event in North America? It's not football, Nascar or any other sport. More spectators attend church services on a typical Sunday than those who attend football games, Nascar races and all other professional sports events combined. Some may think that speaks well of the impact Christianity has in our culture, but I think it underscores one of the flaws of the cultural Christianity of North America. A typical Sunday morning worship service reduces most of us to mere spectators who show up at our favorite house of worship to watch a handful of gifted Christians perform for us. We are told where to park our cars, warmly greeted, directed to an empty pew, encouraged to worship, prayed over, sung to, inspired, entertained, sermonized, blessed and sent on our way. For the most part we just sit, watch and listen, hoping that our time in church will help us deal with the challenges we'll face during the coming week. Unfortunately, the Sunday worship event can lead to what Jason Zahariades refers to as non-authentic and impotent faith. Check out Jason's article entitled "Detoxing from Church." Jesus hasn't called us to be mere Sunday spectators, but full participants in the vibrant life of the Body of Christ. -- Bob