\["For Christians seeking to understand cultural changes", "Addresses why faith is fading in modern society", "You will rediscover a vibrant, rooted faith experience"\]

Disappearing Church examines why the church mirrors culture.

Mark Sayers

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction: Dark Clouds—or Glorious Sun?

Part One: Understanding Our Craving for Cultural Relevance

1. Our Current Post-Christianity

2. The History of "Relevant"

3. How Much More Relevant Can We Get?

4. The Gospel of Self (Gnosticism)

Part Two: Learning Gospel Resilience

5. An Exciting Opportunity

6. Reject the Implicit Prosperity Gospel. We Are Slaves, not Seekers.

7. Stop Catering to "Public" Opinion

8. Don't Offer Everything. Deliver Truth.

9. Re-create the Institution

10. Withdraw/Return

Conclusion: Going Beyond the Culture of the Ghost

Notes

Acknowledgments

More from Mark Sayers

When church and culture look the same...

For the many Christians eager to prove we can be both holy and cool, cultural pressures are too much. We either compartmentalize our faith or drift from it altogether—into a world that’s so alluring.

Have you wondered lately:

- Why does the Western church look so much like the world?
- Why are so many of my friends leaving the faith?
- How can we get back to our roots?

  
Disappearing Church will help you sort through concerns like these, guiding you in a thoughtful, faithful, and hopeful response. Weaving together art, history, and theology, pastor and cultural observer Mark Sayers reminds us that real growth happens when the church embraces its countercultural witness, not when it blends in.

It’s like Jesus said long ago, “If the salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer good for anything…”

"Disappearing Church" by Mark Sayers explores the Western church's cultural alignment and offers insights on maintaining faith amid societal pressures. It combines art, history, and theology for thoughtful reflection.

\["For Christians seeking to understand cultural challenges", "Addresses the struggle of faith in a changing world", "You will regain a strong, resilient church identity"\]

Introduction: Dark Clouds—or Glorious Sun? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Part One

Understanding Our Craving for Cultural Relevance

1\. Our Current Post-Christianity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2\. The History of “Relevant” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

3\. How Much More Relevant Can We Get? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

4\. The Gospel of Self (Gnosticism) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Part Two

Learning Gospel Resilience

5\. An Exciting Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

6\. Reject the Implicit Prosperity Gospel. We Are Slaves,

not Seekers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

7\. Stop Catering to “Public” Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

8\. Don’t Offer Everything. Deliver Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

9\. Re-create the Institution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

10\. Withdraw/Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Conclusion: Going Beyond the Culture of the Ghost . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Discover how to navigate cultural pressures while staying true to your faith with Disappearing Church.

Disappearing Church

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