Rescue the Perishing or Perish the rescuing?

This story is told of a small town of people who lived on a stretch of dangerous sea-coast where shipwrecks often occurred. Some of the townspeople decided to put some time, effort and money into a rescue operation. A small rescue station was built and the devoted members of the rescue team kept a constant vigil over the stormy sea, ready to use their little life boats to search for survivors in case of a shipwreck.  

One stormy night there was a horrible ship wreck, and the small team went into action. As result of their dedicated effort, many lives were saved.  

When the news of their rescue was spread around, more and more of the townspeople joined the rescue group. More and more funds were added and, thus, a bigger and better "rescue station" was built. The new building was transformed into a resort clubhouse which provided many recreational facilities for the fun and comfort of all their new members, supposedly, as they waited for another shipwreck.  They built a gymnasium with the latest exercise equipment for after all, they reasoned, their members needed to be in good physical condition when they received the distress call to go on a rescue mission. They built a nice big cafeteria to feed all the new members. They kept their members well fed and even scheduled social hours for the entertainment of their diners. They built a large luxurious indoor/outdoor swimming pool so the members could learn how to swim, just in case they got a dreaded distress call. With all the new luxuries, it became popular to be a rescue mission club member!

Again, on a dark stormy night, the alarmed was sounded. However this time, very few of the clubhouse members dared to go out into the stormy waters to save lives. "Why would we want to go get all wet and take a chance of drowning themselves?", they said. A few of the members went out and a few lives were saved.  

Later there was a division among the club members regarding the purpose of their existence.  

Today, as the story goes, the town has grown in population and there are now a good number of exclusive clubhouses dotting the shore line. However, none of them are interested or concerned about rescue operations any more.  

Does this story sound a bit like the modern-day Christian church to you? Have you ever been to a church meeting where the members pretty much kept to themselves, and greeted you rudely and almost coldly, if they greeted you at all? Are there churches that seem more like a social club with well planned social events rather than life-saving stations for the spiritually lost and dying?

There is an old Hymn that goes this way:  

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.  

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe. 

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.  

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.  

Refrain  

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.