“What’s Happened To Christianity?”
Last week, I was in Springfield, Illinois, teaching “Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso." After my presentation, a woman approached me and asked if she could ask a question.
“Sure,” I said.
She told me she was Jewish and from New York, then added, “I know you’re a Christian. Can you explain what has happened to Christianity? I don’t see any of the qualities you mentioned from Ted Lasso—compassion, empathy, forgiveness, serving—in modern-day Christianity anymore.”
I paused for a moment. In another phase of my life, I might have felt defensive. I could have countered her argument. But on this day, I genuinely had to agree with her. I admitted she was right and that I don’t often see those qualities displayed these days either.
I’m not making a blanket statement about all Christians. I believe, as she might, that we are specifically discussing the loudest among them. These are the individuals we see on the news, claiming to follow Christ one moment and dehumanizing others the next. They might have a microphone, hold a position, display a few yard signs, or even preach from a pulpit.
They appear to have one thing in common: a “me first” or “us first” attitude.
How did we get this “me first” attitude? I’d suggest that Christians have been promoted somewhere along the way. Allow me to explain.
When I was in junior high, each year in either our social studies or English class, we had two days set aside to watch the movie “Brian’s Song.”
Even today, I’m not quite sure why we watched this movie every year, but it was a significant event. You would get out of class for two days and head down to the Cafetorium (I love that word... cafeteria and auditorium combined. Genius!). There, they set up a real movie projector at the back of the room to show the film. This was long before the wonders of Betamaxes and VCRs.
Brian’s Song is a 1971 film featuring Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers and James Caan as Brian Piccolo. It delves into their friendship as teammates on the Chicago Bears. Despite their racial differences and competing for the same position, their bond deepens when Piccolo is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Late in the movie, as Piccolo lies in a hospital bed, Gayle Sayers receives an award at the year-end banquet.
Sayers states, “Now, you're flattering me by giving me this award. But I want to tell you right now—Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who truly deserves the George S. Halas Award. It is mine tonight, and it will be Brian Piccolo's tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo, and I hope all of you will love him too. So tonight, I urge you to get on your knees and ask God to love him as well."
That's when I, a junior high kid weighing only 40 pounds, started sniffling. As I glanced around the room, I noticed that every kid was doing the same. We were all trying to hold back our tears. Even the biggest, toughest football player in school, Randy Wylie, was sniffling too. This mountain of an eighth grader had shoulders shaking just like mine! But unlike me, Randy’s shoulders were supporting his girlfriend, Kyron Kearly. She had hair just like Farrah Fawcett, but I digress.
Spoiler alert! Brian Piccolo dies at the end of the movie, and when that moment comes, the tears start flowing for all of us. No one felt ashamed to cry when Brian Piccolo passed away.
I mention this because not only do I love Junior High stories, but Gayle Sayers also authored a book about his experiences called “I Am Third.” Sayers embodied the "I Am Third” philosophy—putting God first, others second, and himself third—throughout his time with Piccolo and during his playing days in Chicago.
So, for many years, we Christians were in third place, and we liked it.
Then, my friends, we were promoted. On December 2, 2008, the “I Am Second” movement was established and quickly spread globally. Eye-catching billboards and celebrities in grainy black-and-white videos reminded me that I was second. Somehow, I suppose, I ended up ahead of the “others.” (Now, I realize this wasn't their intention, but it did sound funny to those of us raised on “I Am Third.")
Do you see where we're headed? To the top, baby!
Maybe it all started with selfies. I remember a time when we took pictures of others, with us behind the camera while our friends and family posed in front of the lens. Not anymore! Now, it’s all about the selfie. How many pictures can I take of myself and share on social media? Remember when we thought it was creepy to walk into a friend's house or apartment and see only pictures of them?
Unfortunately, the movement didn’t end with selfies. Turn on the news, and it seems that a “me first” and “us first” mentality dominates among some who claim to follow Christ, pushing aside anyone who stands in their way.
I don’t believe I’m the only one who has noticed this. If that were the case, I don’t think my Jewish friend would have asked the question. Remember? The one where she said, “What has happened to Christianity?”
Here is the troublesome progression:
I Am Third.
I Am Second.
Me First and the Heck with Everyone Else
It’s a dangerous, slippery slope.
Maybe it’s time to recalibrate and find true north again. Let Jesus weigh in on this.
Jesus’ teachings often emphasize humility, selflessness, and service to others, sharply contrasting with the “me first” and “us first” philosophy advocated by many today.
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”Matthew 5:43-45
The teachings of Jesus emphasize the values of humility, service, and love, which contrast with the “me, me, me” mentality prevalent in our world today.
I don’t know about you, but I think I need a demotion. I’d like to return to my junior high “Brian’s Song” days of being third.
Can I suggest a practical way for you to start demoting yourself?
Author and Speaker Donald Miller explains how easy it is to fall into our default mode of “me first,” and to counter this, he strives to make the statement “after you” a daily priority.
For example, pause and hold the door for those behind you. Let everyone enter or exit the elevator first while you keep the door open. Traffic? Now we're really getting personal. Let that car merge ahead of you when no one else will. After you!
Will letting someone exit an elevator or cut in your lane in traffic change the world? Probably not. But over time, if we allow “after you" to become ingrained in our habits and hearts. Who knows, maybe we will gradually move from first to second to third.
If I speak in Springfield, Illinois, in a year or so, maybe that same woman will approach me again and ask, “What has happened to Christianity?” This time, however, I hope she will ask in a positive light, as we believers have once again prioritized Christ and His teachings.
Is anyone willing to give it a try?
After you.