--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that the church in America today…" description: "\"I think that the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful, and perhaps well-liked that it nearly mirr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c9/michael-horton-14597_america_i-think-that-the-church-in-america-today_316918.jpg" --- # I think that the church in America today is so obsessed… ![“I think that the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful, and perhaps well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself. Aside from the packaging, there is nothing that cannot be found in most churches today that could not be satisfied by any…” quote by Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c9/michael-horton-14597_america_i-think-that-the-church-in-america-today_316918.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c9/michael-horton-14597_america_i-think-that-the-church-in-america-today_316918.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c9/michael-horton-14597_america_i-think-that-the-church-in-america-today_316918.jpg) > “I think that the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful, and perhaps well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself. Aside from the packaging, there is nothing that cannot be found in most churches today that could not be satisfied by any number of secular programs and self-help groups.” [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern churches often mimic secular trends, focusing on practicality and popularity rather than distinct spiritual purpose. **In simple terms:** Churches prioritize practicality and relevance, mirroring secular culture. Key Takeaway Balance relevance with authentic spiritual mission. Themes religion culture practicality authenticity Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - church leadership meetings - community outreach - faith‑based programs - media messaging Key Concepts church identity secular influence mission focus Questions to Reflect On - How can churches stay relevant without losing distinctiveness? - What unique value can faith offer beyond secular solutions? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on relevance may dilute core doctrines. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [America today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-today/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Church today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-today/) [Mirrors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirrors/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Secular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secular/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-help/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [What does it say about our churches today that God birthed the church in a prayer meeting, and prayer meetings today are almost extinct?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/what-does-it-say-about-our-churches-today-that-god-birthed-the-church/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [The meetings least attended in our churches today are the ones whose only attraction is God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-meetings-least-attended-in-our-churches-today-are-the-ones-whose/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Rock concerts are the churches of today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-chaquico/rock-concerts-are-the-churches-of-today/) Craig Chaquico > [The devil's not fighting churches today, he's joining churches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-devil-s-not-fighting-churches-today-he-s-joining-churches/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [Once involved in the school-prayer fight, I rapidly became aware of, and appalled by, the political and economic power of the Church in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madalyn-murray-o-hair/once-involved-in-the-school-prayer-fight-i-rapidly-became-aware-of/) [Madalyn Murray O'Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madalyn-murray-o-hair/) > [“The evangelical church in America has, to a large extent, been co-opted by an American, religious version of the kingdom of the world. 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We still sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-hickey/where-do-you-learn-how-to-act-not-at-church-america-is-a-lot-more/) [Dave Hickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-hickey/) > [In Europe I have been accused of taking my scientific ideas from the Church. 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It is our church, end of story. We built it. We paid for it. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-gordon/the-catholic-church-in-america-is-the-irish-church-it-is-our-church/) [Mary Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-gordon/) > [Really I feel less keen about the Army every day. I think the Church would suit me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/really-i-feel-less-keen-about-the-army-every-day-i-think-the-church/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## More by Michael Horton > [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [In such a therapeutic, pragmatic, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps society as ours, the message of God having to do all the work in saving us comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/in-such-a-therapeutic-pragmatic-pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [To preach the Bible as 'the handbook for life,' or as the answer to every question, rather than as the revelation of Christ, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/to-preach-the-bible-as-the-handbook-for-life-or-as-the-answer-to/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [My conscience does not render a positive verdict in God’s courtroom when I look inside myself. 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It’s not only descriptive; it’s effective too, God speaking is God acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/god-s-word-does-not-merely-impart-information-it-actually-creates/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [Ask the proficient athlete, artist, businessperson, or homemaker what creates excellence and they'll all agree: a commitment to long-term goals - and with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/ask-the-proficient-athlete-artist-businessperson-or-homemaker-what/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [A church that is deeply aware of it's misery and nakedness before a holy God will cling tenaciously to an all sufficient Savior, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/a-church-that-is-deeply-aware-of-it-s-misery-and-nakedness-before-a/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [The key to maturity is time and community. 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And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? 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