I'm reminded of the older Israelites who cried when they saw the rebuilt temple. If you talk to the older members in churches today, they lament the fact that we lack love, knowledge, real preaching, commitment and leadership. I'm not sure we even believe in Satan anymore based on the way our lives reflect worldly goals: "church" resembles a social club. Making people comfortable seems to trump truth these days: why are we surprised churches are closing their doors?
People flock to Jesus. I hear a lot of criticism about large churches from people that have never attended one. Are opinions based on fact or assumptions? Why we can’t study how Jesus taught people and what he required for salvation is a mystery to me. We need to stop requiring more than he does. Don’t tell me what another denomination thinks or does until you have attended one for a year or two and are qualified to do so. An argument about who is right on social media will turn people away from the church almost immediately. Scaring people into heaven is not going to work. The problem is not understanding Jesus and his love for us. When we learn to teach others that their desire to follow his commandments will come naturally from the heart and they will grow and the church will grow. Unity not division is a commandment it’s time to stop throwing stones
You are spot on. We have killed our own congregations with arrogance, pride, smugness, and demands that can't be met. We have pushed away so many. We must look in the mirror I'm afraid.
It seems to be almost an impossible message to deliver to people who are convinced they are right and the only ones right. Im 67, grew up coc, my dad was an elder, and I attended coc until a couple of years ago. We are the problem but have been programmed to never think that way. Think how different the church would be if we had embraced other Christians instead of making them the enemy. I’m convinced Jesus is disappointed with our arrogance, judgement, and superiority. I pray for change but get impatient and frustrated. If Christians would pray constantly for direction from the Holy Spirit he would open their eyes and heart to what Jesus wants us to be.
I see the decline also and am aware of the lack of two essential practices that feed it. First, we must be constant in our insistence on bible engagement. The present Church, according to numerous studies from The Barna Group, Pew Research, and others, is fundamentally biblically illiterate. To appeal to one of Paul’s metaphors, we are without the “belt of truth”. How are we supposed to be safe from the lies of the best con man put there, our enemy, the devil?
The second is a function of the first, in many ways. Evangelism has become “making believers” instead of “making disciples.” I get it…making disciples is an enormous draw on the resources of our time, money, and efforts. Oh WAIT!!! I am bought and paid for. My will becomes increasingly of little consequence as I am being discipled and as I disciple.
Frankly, if a church is unwilling to pay the price, let them die and let another light their candle. Hard-hearted? Possibly, but I see no other way out. Repentance does not come without the realization of sin, which must start in the House of God.
I think this is one of those classic issues where we can honestly say, "it's both". Both you AND bro Rutherford (and others) are right. Jesus commanded us to preach to "every creature" (Mark 16:15). That means both here and abroad. I think that is why supporting such works as the House to House Heart to Heart School of Evangelism that bro Rob Whitacre doing are so vital.
I have such sorrow for the situation among us as the Lord's people, as pointed out in this article, and that we readers also see and know. Let us pray and pray again, and live faithful devoted lives, and try harder to reach others with the truth. And, we must all recognize the difficult challenge for our children and young people in dealing daily with the temptations presented by the greatly immoral nature of the current everyday life in this country. I appreciate these Church Reset article so much.
Thank you, Jack! Well written and much appreciated. It hurts my heart. Would it be okay if I borrow some of your points to use in a sermon? Credit will be given and I will also make a PSA for folks to subscribe! We all need to pray, work, and serve. We can make a difference. Thanks, Jack!
''WHERE 2 or 3 ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME, I AM IN THEIR MIDST''----IF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO ASSEMBLE WITH THE SAINTS FOR WHATEVER REASON (NOT EXCUSE, BUT R-E-A-S-O-N) THEN EVVEN IF YOU ARE ALONE JESUS' PRESENCE MAKES 2, SO WHEN ALL THE EXCUSES ARE DEBUNKED, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.....PEOPLE IN 3RD-WORLD COUNTRIES DON'T EVEN HAVE WATER TO DRINK NOT TO MENTION ENOUGH TO BE IMMERSED IN WATER TO COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO THE PLAN OF SALVATION, IT IS KINDA NAUSEATING TO HEAR SOMEONE WRESTING THE SCRIPTURES AND DENY THAT ONE FOOT IN THE WORLD AND ONE IN THE CHURCH IS THE R---E---A---L REASON THE CHURCH IS DYING.....YES, CHRIST DID DECLARE "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT''---AND --- ''STRAIT (not straight) IS THE GATE AND NARROW IS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO LIFE EVERLASTING, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT''---and----ONLY 8 PEOPLE MADE IT INTO THE ARK ---AND---''SATAN GOETH TO AND FRO AS A ROARING LION SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR''-----JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT--I CAN DO ALL THINGS THRU CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME---ALLLLLLL OF US DO WHAT WE REALLY W....A.....N....T TO DO.....ADAM MADE EXCUSES AND LAID BLAME IN THE GARDEN of EDEN, AND IT HAS NEVER STOPPED......
I'm reminded of the older Israelites who cried when they saw the rebuilt temple. If you talk to the older members in churches today, they lament the fact that we lack love, knowledge, real preaching, commitment and leadership. I'm not sure we even believe in Satan anymore based on the way our lives reflect worldly goals: "church" resembles a social club. Making people comfortable seems to trump truth these days: why are we surprised churches are closing their doors?
People flock to Jesus. I hear a lot of criticism about large churches from people that have never attended one. Are opinions based on fact or assumptions? Why we can’t study how Jesus taught people and what he required for salvation is a mystery to me. We need to stop requiring more than he does. Don’t tell me what another denomination thinks or does until you have attended one for a year or two and are qualified to do so. An argument about who is right on social media will turn people away from the church almost immediately. Scaring people into heaven is not going to work. The problem is not understanding Jesus and his love for us. When we learn to teach others that their desire to follow his commandments will come naturally from the heart and they will grow and the church will grow. Unity not division is a commandment it’s time to stop throwing stones
You are spot on. We have killed our own congregations with arrogance, pride, smugness, and demands that can't be met. We have pushed away so many. We must look in the mirror I'm afraid.
It seems to be almost an impossible message to deliver to people who are convinced they are right and the only ones right. Im 67, grew up coc, my dad was an elder, and I attended coc until a couple of years ago. We are the problem but have been programmed to never think that way. Think how different the church would be if we had embraced other Christians instead of making them the enemy. I’m convinced Jesus is disappointed with our arrogance, judgement, and superiority. I pray for change but get impatient and frustrated. If Christians would pray constantly for direction from the Holy Spirit he would open their eyes and heart to what Jesus wants us to be.
The "arrogance, pride, smugness and demands" is a line that could make an entire article/essay in and of itself.
I see the decline also and am aware of the lack of two essential practices that feed it. First, we must be constant in our insistence on bible engagement. The present Church, according to numerous studies from The Barna Group, Pew Research, and others, is fundamentally biblically illiterate. To appeal to one of Paul’s metaphors, we are without the “belt of truth”. How are we supposed to be safe from the lies of the best con man put there, our enemy, the devil?
The second is a function of the first, in many ways. Evangelism has become “making believers” instead of “making disciples.” I get it…making disciples is an enormous draw on the resources of our time, money, and efforts. Oh WAIT!!! I am bought and paid for. My will becomes increasingly of little consequence as I am being discipled and as I disciple.
Frankly, if a church is unwilling to pay the price, let them die and let another light their candle. Hard-hearted? Possibly, but I see no other way out. Repentance does not come without the realization of sin, which must start in the House of God.
I think this is one of those classic issues where we can honestly say, "it's both". Both you AND bro Rutherford (and others) are right. Jesus commanded us to preach to "every creature" (Mark 16:15). That means both here and abroad. I think that is why supporting such works as the House to House Heart to Heart School of Evangelism that bro Rob Whitacre doing are so vital.
I have such sorrow for the situation among us as the Lord's people, as pointed out in this article, and that we readers also see and know. Let us pray and pray again, and live faithful devoted lives, and try harder to reach others with the truth. And, we must all recognize the difficult challenge for our children and young people in dealing daily with the temptations presented by the greatly immoral nature of the current everyday life in this country. I appreciate these Church Reset article so much.
Thank you, Jack! Well written and much appreciated. It hurts my heart. Would it be okay if I borrow some of your points to use in a sermon? Credit will be given and I will also make a PSA for folks to subscribe! We all need to pray, work, and serve. We can make a difference. Thanks, Jack!
''WHERE 2 or 3 ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME, I AM IN THEIR MIDST''----IF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO ASSEMBLE WITH THE SAINTS FOR WHATEVER REASON (NOT EXCUSE, BUT R-E-A-S-O-N) THEN EVVEN IF YOU ARE ALONE JESUS' PRESENCE MAKES 2, SO WHEN ALL THE EXCUSES ARE DEBUNKED, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.....PEOPLE IN 3RD-WORLD COUNTRIES DON'T EVEN HAVE WATER TO DRINK NOT TO MENTION ENOUGH TO BE IMMERSED IN WATER TO COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO THE PLAN OF SALVATION, IT IS KINDA NAUSEATING TO HEAR SOMEONE WRESTING THE SCRIPTURES AND DENY THAT ONE FOOT IN THE WORLD AND ONE IN THE CHURCH IS THE R---E---A---L REASON THE CHURCH IS DYING.....YES, CHRIST DID DECLARE "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT''---AND --- ''STRAIT (not straight) IS THE GATE AND NARROW IS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO LIFE EVERLASTING, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT''---and----ONLY 8 PEOPLE MADE IT INTO THE ARK ---AND---''SATAN GOETH TO AND FRO AS A ROARING LION SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR''-----JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT--I CAN DO ALL THINGS THRU CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME---ALLLLLLL OF US DO WHAT WE REALLY W....A.....N....T TO DO.....ADAM MADE EXCUSES AND LAID BLAME IN THE GARDEN of EDEN, AND IT HAS NEVER STOPPED......
I recently wrote an article on this:
https://open.substack.com/pub/jesusinyou/p/pagan-christianity?r=idhfb&utm_medium=ios
Spot on ! Thank you for your honesty and willingness to say this