This week I want to talk a little about the dying churches today. There are so many churches that are closing their doors. Some of the signs of the dying church are… No soul recently saved, no new members, members going to another church, no activities, no children, low attendance, mostly elderly members. These are only signs of a dying church.
I don’t want you to get the wrong impression, this church is NOT dead and there are a lot of believers that go there. What I’m saying that… where the church/people are not growing there may be a problem. That church may be lukewarm and be in trouble. We are told in Revelations 3:15-16, – I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither [k]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
The mission of the church simply put, is to save and nurture the sinner. We need both of these to be present to have a spirit filled and a spirited lead church. This sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it? But how do we get there.
First and most important is prayer. How much time spent in prayer will correlate directly with the success of our churches. How much time is spend praying for lost souls compared to healing of the body? Think about it, God will heal the body in this world or the next world, but the lost have only a little time on this earth to be saved. I think it really easy to lose our focus on what really matters.
Next… we need to embrace change. Wow, I can hear it now. We’ve done it this way for 50 years, I like the way it is, everyone would leave the church, or God hasn’t changed. Let’s look at these statements.
1. We have always done it this way… Is it still working? There nothing wrong with the way we worship in the past, but our society has changed. What once was attractive is no longer works with the younger generation. Understand me… We must never lose the focus on God and His grace, but we need to incorporate somethings that will attract the lost. I don’t personally care for some of the newer Christian music, but I will tolerate it as it brings someone to Jesus.
2. People would leave the church… In a spirit lead and spirit filled there will be those that will not go alone with any changes and may leave. Those that leave need to look inward to their heart. Is their way of worship more important than bring someone to salvation. Are they thinking more of themselves whether than other? These people are a hinderance to the Gospel.
3. True, God hasn’t changed. Still the same God that perform miracles, heals, forgives sin, and moves mountains. The Gospel the same as the day Jesus preached it. Having said this, people, things, and lifestyle have changed over the last 2000 plus years. The church in Jesus’ time is a whole lot different than today’s church. Even churches that were founded this country some 500 years ago are very different than today. We should never change the message of the gospel, but we need to update or change the way we present it to the people of today.
Final point – We need to get the sinners into church and get them involved in the church. Sadly, I look at many churches there are only a handful of active members. What is it, 5 or 10% do everything? The greatest thing that ever happened in our life is that Jesus saved us. He didn’t save us to do nothing. The church needs active members who love the Lord. Is your church a nursing home or a hospital for the spiritually sick?
How can we get members involved in church? We can even get them to come to Sunday School. The first thing we need to do is care for them. But Bob, I care for them! My next question is do they know you care for them? Have you taken a personal interest in them? This is hard, did you phone them when they missed church? Did you send them a card on their birthday or when they were sick? Do they know your praying for them… have you told them? There are many more ways to show you care, but make sure they know about it.
Get people involved in church activities. Have you notice how many people show up for a church activity like a potluck dinner? Our churches need to be active. I feel there should be at least one activity every month. We need to remember that we are in competition with the world. Satan make the world very attractive and church very unattractive. Take a look at your church, as a worldly person would I want to come to your church? There are many things a church can do, here a link with a few church activities you might want to try. Click Here.
In closing… this subject has been heavy on my heart. I’ve been praying hard about it. I’ve been asked many times, “what can I do?” I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this, we need to pray, pray, and pray for the lost and God will to be done. The purpose of the church is to spread the Good News of the Gospel. To share Jesus with the world.
This all starts with Prayer and a relationship with our Lord. So, here’s the Final Question, how’s your relationship with God? Maybe you never had a relationship with Jesus, or maybe you have lost your fellowship with Him. There’s no better time than the present to get a relationship with God or to renew your relationship with Him. Remember, none of us is guaranteed another second on this earth.
Please just take a moment right now and dedicate yourself to Christ Our Savior. All you need to do is ask the Lord to come into your life. Please… if you don’t know Christ or have fallen away, please pray… Tell God you believe His Son Jesus paid for your sins and rose again. Tell God you are sorry and want to start Living for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes and give you Everlasting Life with Him… and place His Spirit deep within your heart. In 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I pray that God will truly Help and Bless you. If you would like for me to pray with you, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentPromises.com. May God Bless and Keep!
I thank you for reading my blog. I do not claim to be any expert or affiliated with any religious organization. All I can say is that I’m affiliated with my Lord Jesus Christ. This is one man’s opinion and observation. My hope is I stirred up some thoughts for you to think about. There is one place where we can find all the answers to life. That road map is Commonly known as the Bible. If you want the answers to life all you have to do is read. If you would like me to pray with you or want to send a comment, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
