Do you think the church of 2010 is relevant today? You know the one, a red brick building that's been there since "19 something", and each Sunday there are 10 or 20 cars in the parking lot that could park 50 or 60. It's the one you remember from your childhood, the organist and pianist played each week and hymns were sung with every ones face buried in a songbook. It's "church from 1974".
If you walk in that church today it looks like, sounds like and operates like it is 1974. There may be 4 young families there only because they are related to someone in the church. The rest of the congregation is slightly older than retirement age. Does this sound familiar yet? This church is run not by the pastors leadership but by a few local families and if the pastor or staff do anything that doesn't fit into the "1974" model he may be a sermon away from getting kicked out. Another unemployed, young pastor. Seem familiar?
I'm not writing this to upset anyone but rather to hear your feedback.
The New Testament Church which Christ ordained is very different from most churches that are operating today. I see churches dying on the vine every day and the congregations that are the stewards of theses churches letting them fade into the past by not embracing the communities within their ministry. A lack of real leadership and vision.
Would Jesus accuse us of being "graves full of white washed bones"? Ill equipped to reach the communities around us.
Recently Earl (GPS Outdoors) and I were camping and ran out of fresh water. Since we were next to a large river we refilled our canteens with the cool, clear, rushing water within easy access of the camp site. Now, did I drink this water directly from the stream? No! If I did Earl would have to carry me out (not an option) or end up being air lifted out. It's a pretty river but not for drinking. Instead we used a water purification system to make this water drinkable and quench our thirst. The same may be true of many of the congregations today. Hearts are hard and proud. Only one person can wash us clean and purify us. Jesus. Do you hear what I'm saying?
God doesn't like proud or hard hearts. That's our will. How will He work if the church is an institution more concerned about individual feelings and traditions or how long this family has been in this church? Many of these places are almost empty today, I know I've been in them and the congregation sits distant and with arms folded not wanting to hear "that kind of music or a message like that"! Alot of church administration today is like trying to drink that water from the river, it may look good; cool and clear, but if you try it without being prepared it'll make you sick.
So tell me, what do you think? Where is Gods word of salvation in Christ going to be preached? That's His will. Can the Red Brick Church survive?
3 comments:
This is a longer comment than my norm but I either comment here or post a mirror blog on the GPSO site. This is your forum, I'll keep it short (sortta):
When Jesus (re)created the church nearly 2000 years ago, He released us from the quagmire that was created by those who claimed to follow His Law. They, the pharisees had made rules and rituals which were so complex that the average person of the time simply couldn't hope to attain God's grace. They ran the church almost identical to the many cults which rose up like so many weeds along the roadside. Politics and money ruled the land.
Along came Jesus... God incarnate... to remove the barriers from salvation. His plan was simple. So utterly uncomplicated that it veritably put the pharisees out on the street. Here was His plan... do away with the rituals and intermediaries who claimed to be your only way into Heaven. Follow The Law as it was set down by His Word. No more, no less. For this, Jesus was crucified as those in power will always fear to lose their power.
All throughout history, there have been those who've tried to subvert God's word to suit their own agendas... the Crusades, the Reformation, the Inquisition. On and on, Man has tried to make himself more important than God, simply to feed his pathetic ego or fill his pocket with wealth. This is happening even today.
This is not the church Jesus created. It's the one he's condemned.
It's no wonder that there are so many stick-and-brick churches that are locking the doors. It's no wonder the congregation is literally dying off. Who wants to willingly enter into a political storm? Many pastors right now *are* one sermon away from being on the unemployment line. Oh, wait... pastors can't collect unemployment, right? So now, if they don't do what the law-makers / leading families (read "Pharisee") want and blow with every stray breeze that comes along like a dust mote, then they and their families suffer financially. All because they preached God's word and didn't give you a good show or make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Okay, okay... there are some truly beautiful moments in scripture that make you feel so good that you could nearly walk on air. Mostly, however, the word of God is blunt, real and painful.... you're a sinner. If you don't follow The Law, you'll not reach His presence. If you serve the all mighty dollar, you serve the devil. these are all facts written in The Bible. Is it scary? Is it harsh? You bet it is but hey, so is life.
When Jesus (re)created the church, He released us from the quagmire that was created by those who claimed to follow His Law. They, the pharisees had made rules and rituals which were so complex that the average person of the time simply couldn't hope to attain God's grace. They ran the church almost identical to the many cults which rose up like so many weeds along the roadside. Politics and money ruled the land.
Along came Jesus... God incarnate... to remove the barriers from salvation. His plan was simple. So utterly uncomplicated that it veritably put the pharisees out on the street. Here was His plan... do away with the rituals and intermediaries who claimed to be your only way into Heaven. Follow The Law as it was set down by His Word. No more, no less. For this, Jesus was crucified as those in power will always fear to lose their power.
All throughout history, there have been those who've tried to subvert God's word to suit their own agendas... the Crusades, the Reformation, the Inquisition. On and on, Man has tried to make himself more important than God, simply to feed his pathetic ego or fill his pocket with wealth. This is happening even today.
Isn't the pastor supposed to be leading his flock? Why are the wolves leading the sheep? If you preach God's word and hurt someones feelings.. you get fired. HELLO!
This is not the church Jesus created. It's the one he's condemned.
It's no wonder that there are so many stick-and-brick churches that are locking the doors. It's no wonder the congregation is literally dying off. Who wants to willingly enter into a political storm? Many pastors right now are one sermon away from being on the unemployment line. Oh, wait... can pastors collect unemployment? So now, if they don't do what the law-makers and leading families (read "Pharisee") want and blow with every stray breeze that comes along like a dust mote, then they and their families suffer financially. All because they preached God's word and didn't give you a good show or make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Okay, okay... there are some truly beautiful moments in scripture that make you feel so good that you could nearly walk on air. Mostly, however, the word of God is blunt, real and painful.... you're a sinner. If you don't follow The Law, you'll not reach His presence. If you serve the all mighty dollar, you serve the devil. These are all facts written in The Bible. Is it scary? Is it harsh? You bet it is but hey, so is life.
When Jesus (re)created the church nearly 2000 years ago, He released us from the quagmire that was created by those who claimed to follow His Law. They, the Pharisees had made rules and rituals which were so complex that the average person of the time simply couldn't hope to attain God's grace. They ran the church almost identical to the many cults which rose up like so many weeds along the roadside. Politics and money ruled the land.
Along came Jesus... God incarnate... to remove the barriers from salvation. His plan was simple. So utterly uncomplicated that it veritably put the Pharisees out on the street. Here was His plan... do away with the rituals and intermediaries who claimed to be your only way into Heaven. Follow The Law as it was set down by His Word. No more, no less. For this, Jesus was crucified as those in power will always fear to lose their power.
All throughout history, there have been those who've tried to subvert God's word to suit their own agendas... the Crusades, the Reformation, the Inquisition. On and on, Man has tried to make himself more important than God, simply to feed his pathetic ego or fill his pocket with wealth. This is happening even today.
Isn't the pastor supposed to be leading his flock? Why are the wolves leading the sheep? If you preach God's word and hurt someones feelings.. you get fired. HELLO!
This is not the church Jesus created. It's the one he's condemned.
It's no wonder that there are so many stick-and-brick churches that are locking the doors. It's no wonder the congregation is literally dying off. Who wants to willingly enter into a political storm? Many pastors right now are one sermon away from being on the unemployment line. Oh, wait... can pastors collect unemployment? So now, if they don't do what the law-makers (read "Pharisee") want - and blow with every stray breeze that comes along like a dust mote - then they and their families suffer financially. All because they preached God's word and didn't give you a good show or make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Okay, okay... there are some truly beautiful moments in scripture that make you feel so good that you could nearly walk on air. Mostly, however, the word of God is blunt, real and painful.... you're a sinner. If you don't follow His Word, you'll not reach His presence. If you serve the all mighty dollar, you serve the devil. these are all facts written in The Bible. Is it scary? Is it harsh? You bet it is but hey, so is life.
Let your pastor do his job... or spend eternity separated from His grace. it's as simple as that.
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