The Church a Relic of History?
Hey Gang,
A question – is the church in America becoming a relic of history? It seems to me that many in our culture want to follow Europe. There has been a fascination with Europe during my short 48 years. I love the church, not just the one I serve but the church world wide. So it saddens me to watch our influence and attendance drop year after year in America. The numbers don’t lie, the church in America is dwindling in attendance, influence, and impact. We are always only one generation away from losing the gospel. Can it happen here? YOU BET IT CAN!!!!! Does the Lord care? I believe He does. He died for the church.
Look at the church in Europe and see what our future can be. In Europe many of the old church buildings are museums or used for other things. What can we do? We can get serious about God and His Kingdom here on earth. We can get serious about vision, souls, leadership, and seeing the church explode in revival. I believe God is still looking for people whose hearts are completely His. Then He can pour out His Spirit. Are you that person? Is your church that church? Are you willing to lay it all on the line for the gospel? Are you ready?
What do you think the future of the church really is? What can we do to see the church flourish and be all God desires for it to be? What are your thoughts?
Let us know.
Pastor
2 Comments
God loves the world, I think he has made that very clear. But in the same way God hates sin. I think God is ready to say “Son, go and get the children”. The Lord Himself will desend with a shout and we shall meet Him in the air.I think the Lord is at work removing the lampstand from all the false church that feign the Gospel, misrepresent the Lord and don’t really know the love of God. Someday they may hear those terrible words
“Depart from me, I never knew you!”
Nothing will stop the True Church from it’s mission AMEN God is on the lookout for those hearts that are completely His. And JOB #!1 Guard our hearts with all dilligence!
Last year was the most amazingly full and satisfying year of my life. The year was God blessed and stuffed to the brim. So far this year, I’m tripping and stumbling a fair amount and God has revealed some areas where I need spiritual readjustments. Starting from this point, this blog entry has gotten me thinking and has gelled some thoughts.
To flourish in the future:
- A loving relationship with God is the start. I’ve done works and spiritual disciplines out of obedience to God, out of fear of God, out of knowledge that God knows better than I do, and out of desire to get the blessings that God has intended for me. I don’t think these are bad reasons, but I’m learning it shouldn’t be the first reason. Love should be the main driving reason. God loves me, even when I screw up. I love God (because he’s awesome, compassionate, generous, encouraging, righteous, and powerful), but I am learning that I need to focus on that… probably as I do everything. Then, everything else gets easier, because there is a joyous passion to do it… ministry, facing fears, facing temptations, evangelism, facing hardships, maintaining hope, etc. I’m learning this as I go. I have no idea how you grow this. I’m just getting tutoring lessons with God on this.
- Love others, if for no other reason than God loves them. The driving love of others needs to be a whole package deal. I need to talk about God openly to others daily. If you love someone, why wouldn’t you want God to bless them? I need to forget saying “Hey” “How are you?” and worthless stuff, and just bless people. Give time & money, encourage, pray for, and help them know God & Jesus… It needs to be second nature. Half-hearted doesn’t cut it.
I’m staring to babble, so I’ll stop. I’ve probably wandered way off topic, but it seems to me that having the church flourish is all about growing in love. The exact direction… eh, no reason to sweat about it… God will give us the direction.