Modern church is certainly having its struggles. Having been modeled nearly 50 years ago – much of the typical structure remains intact, only the cosmetics have changed.

As the rest of the world slowly slid toward the post-modern mindset, the church continued to rework their own model with changes in formulas, step-by-step procedures and other shortened, abbreviated, over-simplified methods of success in growing toward God.

Not sure how it got to this point - perhaps it was our consumerist tendencies that drove marketing concepts (like our recent past – WWJD, Born Again, etc.) These are campaigned as slogans, markers for others to know who’s on whose side. But Jesus never talked about badges, or slogans to prove who we were. He said, “They will know you are Christians by your love for one another.” I don’t see a whole lot of Christians by that definition.

Perhaps it was the influence of corporate culture. Church, or rather Pastors have bought into the idea that they are the CEOs that must set the example. And most of us have contributed to that, especially through the eighties and early nineties when church leaders were very publicly dropping like flies.

In order to protect themselves, most persons of the cloth drew back from their congregations. Whether by self-preservation or pride, whatever the reason, these persons distanced themselves so as to perpetuate the mystique of being better people than the rest of us. This propagated a corporate culture - the leader never minces with the subjects of his leadership.

As such, churches across America unwittingly subscribed to a new interpretation of community based on a messed up leadership model. The model they now have might better be described as a tour guide. As a tour guide, the pastor shows everyone the highlights, making brief commentary that’s safe for public consumption but crafted so as not to offend or challenge. Keep the tour moving along - never stopping for questions. Make it safe for job security sake.

But no one ever really gets to know his or her tour guide. They pay their fee for admission and move on. Everyone wins, no one gets offended, and nobody gets hurt. Right?

But relationships are not based on safety. Relationships are based on trust. Caring enough to say whatever needs to be said - for our own good. Being vulnerable enough to let others see your weakness, and realize, "oh yeah, that person is just like me. He's having difficulties, challenges, doubts and fears -- just like me."

And isn't that the point. We're all human, not super-humans.

This is our condition, and we need to realize we have much more in common than we have in differences. Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Agnostic, whatever. Communities are based on commonalities, not differences.

Perhaps its too idealistic, but this is why the church needs to change – not just for the benefit of its own believers, but for everyone seeking a faith journey.