I’m watching an Evangelical service on TV. So far, a guy in jeans and sneakers has walked onto a stage and high-fived the worship leader. The band is playing something that sounds like a soft-rock love song. People are singing with their eyes closed and hands raised, like they’re at a concert for a boomer tribute rock band. Now the pastor is telling a story about his kid’s soccer game. Singing again—this one’s about “falling in love with Jesus” and “dancing in His arms.” A woman comes up and shares how God “spoke to her heart” while she was at Target. The pastor reads a Bible verse about taxes, then spends ten minutes explaining it with a joke about his wife and a PowerPoint slide. More singing. Now he’s standing at a folding table with a loaf of bread and some Welch’s grape juice. He says a short prayer, breaks the bread, and tells everyone to come grab some while the band plays another slow song about being “lost in His presence.” People walk up casually, some still holding coffee cups. Moment of silence (mostly). The pastor prays, invites anyone who wants to “make a decision for Jesus” to come forward, a few people do, and he dismisses everyone with “Have a great week, y’all!” The end. My take: The gospel wasn’t really preached. It was all vibes, emotional music, and a guy in jeans. I don’t see how anyone could come to a proper understanding of the faith in that environment.