Who Cares?

   Today, I am reminded of an old joke that I enjoyed telling over the years.  The scene is a high school classroom.  In the back of the room sat one of those students who obviously hated school and was slouched in his desk.  The teacher wanted to know the definitions for ignorance and apathy and called on this student, who did not appreciate being chosen to answer.  His mumbled response was, "I don't know, and I don't care."  To which the teacher said, "That's right!"
   It appears to me that ignorance and apathy are rampant in Christian churches.  I just do not think many people are either knowledgeable or care about the doctrines of their church bodies.  I think there is a third choice.  There are churches that do not WANT to broadcast what their doctrinal beliefs are.  You probably have noticed what I have.  More and more churches do not include their denominational name in their church signage and literature.  You see more churches that label themselves with names like Peace Church.  I think the folks running these churches are making a marketing decision, fearful that a denominational label may keep people from coming through their doors.
   As I see it, this is only one problem.  Once inside the doors of the church, not much is done to make sure the members learn the doctrines of that church.  The ministers preach sermons which are very shallow, mainly focusing on how Christians should live their lives.  Social issues take precedence over theology. I was in a church recently that labeled its sermon as the Life Lesson.  In many cases, masses of new members are welcomed into those churches without any training in the tenets of the church.
   Apathy is another issue.  Members of churches do not seem interested in finding out what their church's doctrines are.  Parents do not seem to be taking on the role of teaching their children what their church believes.  Bible studies that teach doctrine are either not offered or poorly attended.  Apathy about doctrine is rampant.
   I am a member of a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod church.  I also am privileged to have the opportunity to share the story of the German immigration to Perry County, Missouri in the 1830's with visitors to the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum.  That story is a story about a group of people who considered the doctrine of their Lutheran church to be so important that they made the choice to leave their homes and come to this country where they would be allowed to preach and teach their doctrines correctly.  We need to remember that story and pass on that kind of determination on to the next generations.  Our church body's efforts at maintaining a school system is an indication of how important we think this is.  I hope and pray that the LCMS continues to care about making their members knowledgeable about their doctrine and not ashamed to boldly proclaim it to the world.