Dear Editor,
I confess. I do not know who Dr. Glenn Mollette is apart from his articles in The Standard newspaper. Apparently, he is an author of some renown in Christian circles.
I do believe, however, his most recent entry, “On churches attracting new members” is an unfortunate diatribe intended to diminish the Christian church and its leadership rather than give a more forensic examination, both theologically and existentially, regarding the decline in church attendance and the closure of churches across America writ large.
Dr. Mollette accuses churches of being unfriendly, narrow-minded, and legalistic using worn anecdotes and pointed language belying his clear bias and disdain for the institution. He trolls Christian dedication and sincerity in the practice of faith when he states, “In the thirty years I have lived at my current residence, I have been invited to church by someone else one time.” Is this a truism offered as evidence or is it the angst of a man lost in his own narcissism?
He continues to grouse about churches not wanting new people to participate and only wanting their money to sustain building and grounds. This remark is so patently untrue as to make me wonder if Dr. Mollette has ever read the plethora of church growth books available.
Next, he singles out the Southern Baptists and their current debate regarding women in leadership positions especially as the pastor of a church and equates the leadership’s conduct as sexist, at a minimum, and worse “…men who are terrified women will do it better.” He doubles down with the comment, “It’s not the job of men to beat women on their heads with the Bible and tell them to submit and to shut up.”
Dr. Mollette’s writing here is sophomoric. It does not encapsulate the scope of the challenges in Christian churches and institutions. And it certainly does little to honor the institution ordained by God for the purpose of hope and restoration.
Please, do better, Doctor.
Kent Simmons
