Dear American Church,

Hi, how are you? It's been a while since we last talked. How's Vacation Bible School coming along? This will be my first year volunteering, so I'm excited!

Listen, uh, I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but we need to talk.

It's no secret that you're not doing so well these days. It seems like everyday I read a new story about how more and more young people are leaving you. In fact, if I can be frank, I've come pretty close to doing the same. I feel like you just can't keep up, and you don't know what to do with yourself.

That's why I'm writing you this letter. I think you can do better. You just need some help figuring out how.

Now this is just one person's opinion, so don't take my word as gospel (forgive the pun). But I figure since I am technically a part of you, my opinion's just as valid as the next person's.

First, let me tell you what I don't need from you:

1. I don't need any more fancy-schmancy-mega-church-big-stage-full-scale-production worship services. I know you thought they made you look hip and cool for the young people, but honestly they make you look stupid. If I wanted to see a big production, I would go see a movie.

2. I don't need any more rigid doctrine. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-doctrine or anything like that. But too much doctrine takes all the mystery and discovery out of the Gospel. That stuff might work for the Calvinists, but to me it's just putting God in a tiny box.

Now here's what I do need: <strong>God's love</strong>.

That's the whole reason why I haven't left you. I've seen God's love shine in you and through you many times, so I know that you have the ability to show God's love to the world. You just have trouble expressing that love.

And unfortunately I can't give you a list of things to do in order to let God's love shine through you. To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out how to let God's love shine through me! So maybe we can work on it together. What do you say