The "Real" Hard Questions

I'm currently in the process of reading two books concurrently; "Rethinking the Wineskins" and "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola. These books are part of a 4 volume series Viola has written to examine closer the evolution of the church and how to get back to being what God originally designed the church to be. Wineskins examines what the first church was like. Pagan Christianity looks historically at the evolution of the church and where we get our traditions. In both, Viola is arguing that we have moved away from the "new church" Jesus came to establish and that many of the changes that have occurred have been more harmful than helpful to our DNA.

On a Side Note: Frank Viola has just re-released "Pagan Christianity" co-authored by George Barna. I'm reading the original version first and plan to then scan the second version for additions or changes.

I'll write more about these books later but I got to thinking...
I've visited many church websites in the past that were doing worship series on "hard questions," questions people don't know the answer to or how to respond to those who ask them. Questions such as, "Is the Bible Infallible?" "Does prayer really work?" and "Why do bad things happen and does God really care?"

While these may be questions people have and good questions to tackle and think through, I'm not sure they are actually the "hard" or "difficult" questions. To me, they are the "safe" questions churches are willing and comfortable answering. The REALLY hard questions churches need to be asking and answering are the ones that examine what they do, why they do it and should they be doing it. They are the questions that evoke change, both on an individual level and churchwide.

Questions such as:
1. Would Jesus spend as much time and resources on church as we do?
2. If the Holy Spirit speaks to and through all believers why don't we regularly ask everyone what the Spirit is saying when we gather and let that guide us?
3. Why are most of the ministry opportunities only at church?
4. Where do we get most of our church traditions and do they support or hinder Jesus' ministry?
5. Based on Jesus' ministry and teachings what changes would He recommend we make to our personal lives and church?

Churches don't ever ask such questions because if they did it would threaten their security and stability, rooted in tradition and comfort. Sadly, this misguided and "me-centric" attitude threatens to subvert God's purposes for His people. It is at this point that the church becomes less of a spiritual entity and more of an organization or club run by people.