ABSTRACT
Today, the so-called mainline churches are experiencing an unprecedented decline. There is no denomination that is not downsizing and radically restructuring. Membership nationwide reveals a decline over the past decade, and church attendance wanes. We have tried to institutionalize a faith that will not be tamed and organized to death. Clearly the message is before us, to take off masks of institutional religion and experience the work and the joy of spiritual growth through the mercy of Christ and the celebration of the thirteen disciplines. For a man, to invite Christ “into” himself, is a potentially frightening thing. We have spent the entire lives keeping others out. So, to open up and let Christ in to direct the lives is none too easy a task. Then, we must replace them with Christ’s words for us and a lifestyle involved with the spiritual disciplines given to us in the faith.
