Individualism and today's church

In my Sunday School class we talked about something that I had not really thought about. We have a new classification (well new to me). There are atheist (No God), agnostic (God, but unreachable) and now individualist ( Me and God are tight, just in my own way). I remember a conversation I had with an alcoholic that told me that he and Jesus had a relationship, but it was a relationship that apparently was unique and different than everybody else. I'm hearing more people tell me that. I've thought to myself, why wouldn't they want to have what I guess I consider a "normal" relationship that is open, and not so undercover.
Why don't they attend church? My first thought is that they have seen so many bad examples of Christianity in church that they feel there better off outside the church. I won't argue that, sometimes we are bad billboards for Christ. I urge people to NOT look so much at people but focus on Christ, but that just isn't going to happen.
I also think that people have become more independent. We live in a world that we can communicate thoughts and ideas, good and bad, to anyone that wants to listen. We are bombarded with so much information about religion, we don't need a pastor. Why risk relationships with other believers who can hurt us? When your on your own you can get as close or as far away as you want.
There is one more thing that being an individualist offers, no accountability. If I keep my relationship a secret I can do what I want, whenever I want and no one is going to jump down my throat. If someone does point out the sin in my life, I can always say that I simply don't believe that way. You can kind of float about on the currents of the latest ideas, without really standing for anything.
How do we, as the Church, reach people that see no use for us? First and foremost we have to LOVE them. This sounds the easiest, but if were honest, it's the toughest. Most churches are not interested in people that are not interested in the church. Hey if they want to be on there own, let them, we got more important things to do like balance our budget, plan the next social gathering, stuff like that. Help people? Sorry we just don't have the time.
Second we have to get over our fear. This is the toughest for me. Any relationship incurs a risk no matter what you want to talk about. I am so socially backwards that just spitting out my name can be a problem with somebody I don't know. I envy people that can be bold and just stick out your hand to anyone that walks by. Jesus teaches that we need not fear anyone, so my faith is weak in that area. I'm betting I'm not the only one.
Lastly, keep it simple. I don't think people need to know all of your theological knowledge. If we can't explain Christ's love for us in a plain simple way, (you know like Christ did), what's the use?
People can listen to the intellectuals on TV (I'll bet they spend a second before they switch the channel). I think the world is hungry for the plain, simple truth.
The bottom line is this...teach the simple truth and live that truth.