Watered Down Christianity?

I read a disturbing article today online at Fox News.  The article stated was titled "Where have all the Christians Gone" and it reported that people claiming affiliation with Christian organized religion has declined 20% in the last 20 years!  No wonder our country is such a mess. 

The article goes on to say that while less and less want to affiliate themselves with religion, there has not been an increase in those claiming to be Atheists or Agnostics.  So, what does all of this mean and why write about it?

We are now living in an age where churches are redefining themselves; going away from traditional values and doctrine in favor of more "user-friendly" concepts.  They are changing their names and trying to appeal to a broader audience.  I have nothing against coffee houses in the foyer or Pastors in jeans and I certainly enjoy more contemporary worship music, but I wonder if we, in an effort to appeal to a broader audience, have lost the message along the way.  I attended a local church a few weeks back where there was no prayer!!!  I attended another one where the worship team started playing and everyone ignored them, talked and got their coffee.

The Bible does not say that you must attend church in order to be welcomed into heaven.  However, church should be a place where the Word of God is taught, in all of it's some times harsh reality to people who come there looking to be taught.  The Christian walk is not easy and there will be those that will disagree with portions of Christ's teachings.  But the Word is from God.  There are moral absolutes.  There are clear rules and regulations.  We were created by God for His pleasure and purpose.  Nothing more, nothing less.  We are called to spread the message of the Cross and Christ's redeeming blood to all of the world.  Churches must "equip the saints" to do that work.  Then and only then, will we as believers be able to speak cogently and with conviction to those we have relationship with.  I believe churches need to be careful that they don't lose their mission while trying to fill the seats.