Church Attendance Doesn't Replace Christian Living - Michael J. Clemens
Michael J. Clemens, author of Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus?, is on Christianity Without Compromise with host Jake Doberenz to discuss the idol of “churchianity”—the tendency to substitute church participation for actual spiritual growth. Michael traces how his own journey from legalistic church life to a deeper relationship with Jesus revealed the dangers of institutional religion that emphasizes numbers, structure, and performance over true discipleship. Michael contrasts the vibrant, sacrificial faith of the early church with today’s often passive attendance culture. He explains why churches that chase attendance and budgets may be failing their people, and why following Jesus requires more than checking boxes. What did the church look like before it became institutionalized? And why do so many Christians fail to resemble the one they claim to follow? This episode is especially helpful for believers feeling stuck in routine church life, leaders rethinking discipleship models, and anyone wrestling with the gap between belief and behavior.
Key takeaways from this episode:
“Churchianity” replaces transformation with attendance. Many churches prioritize correct practice and institutional goals while neglecting whether people are actually becoming more like Jesus.
The early church connected belief and behavior. In the first century, saying you believed in Jesus meant you lived it out—often at great cost. Today, that urgency is often lost.
Spiritual growth requires more than sermons. Lasting transformation happens in small groups and one-on-one relationships—not just in Sunday services.
Important Links:
Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus by Michael J. Clemens
“‘Churchianity’ is a problem: In search of Christianity” by Jason Darden, The Christian Chronicle
Michael J. Clemens is a longtime government worker and former church elder who now writes about the difference between church life and Christlike living. His book Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus? draws on decades of personal experience, deep biblical study, and engagement with hundreds of related works. =Michael challenges believers to move beyond religious routine and into genuine transformation rooted in the teachings of Jesus.
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