George Barna studies trends in America and writes about them, particularly as they will effect Christian churches. I'm part way through his latest book, Revolution, (Tyndale, 2005) in which he reports on people who are "devout followers of Jesus Christ, serious about their faith, constantly worshipping and interacting with God, whose lives are centered on belief in Christ." These 'revolutionaries' have written off the organized church because they are disgusted with 'do nothing' churches. Barna opines that they "refuse to play religious games... and want to aggressively advance God's kingdom." Well, I surely can empathize with their desire to make a difference for God. I am frustrated by meetings that accomplish nothing, ministries that just spin wheels, and religious systems designed to protect the privileges of a few at great cost to the many.
But, unlike Barna's revolutionaries, I am not ready to say that the church is a relic of the past. She is God's creation; He loves her, and so, we (yes, Believer - you and I) must work to recapture a vision of her glorious mission that will once again drive us to seek God's power for her, to set aside our petty differences to do His work through her, and to devote our lives and wealth to making a difference.
The facts are that suffering is real. Evil is relentless in its assault on God's world. I see a globe where urban American kids are full of hate, where militant Islamic terrorists want to spread their religion with bombs, where AIDS is killing millions in Africa, where poverty stalks billions (!) of people on this globe. I agree with Barna's 'revolutionaries' that too many Christians close the doors behind them on their safe building and shrug off their responsibility to change the world by saying, "Isn't that awful?" and then singing about the Lord's love for them. Too often we buy into the theories that point to psychological and/or economic issues as the reasons behind the societal 'problems' that are so prevalent. In the last 50 years, the church has grown increasingly irrelevant while the government's role has increased.
Wake up, Believer! We have a high, holy calling from God to be warriors against the Evil one! Do you KNOW that? Government cannot change the human heart and is powerless in the face of evil. Only a Spirit-filled church is equipped to defeat sin and Satan. We can still make a difference, but not if we're locked into defense of tradition, maintaining tepid programs, and escapist theologies.
Does this purpose motivate you to prayer, to serve in compassionate ministry, and to invest your resources in God's work? The Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ is the one great hope for the world because the real issue is EVIL; and if that is true, the solution is SPIRITUAL.Yes, I realize that many American Believers have so personalized their faith in Christ that it has become all about their 'feelings' about self-satisfaction and gaining a home in Heaven while the rest of the world is left to Hell! Many churches -- might I generalize and say, 'most?' --organize their efforts around making a comfortable 'home' for sleepy saints. The building is carefully prepped to be 'inviting.' The sermon is toned to be therapeutic, not too challenging, so as to keep people returning to the services. The lyrics of the songs are focused on "Jesus loves me" but in such a way to make us selfish even with that great truth! "Church-ianity" is a multi-billion dollar business in America that is a lot like football. Church entertains us on Sunday morning, football on Sunday afternoon, but neither makes all that much of a difference in the way we live!BUT... it can be different and it should be! Christian you have a critical role to fill -- first as a warrior. Your prayers (are they weak or powerful?) are strong weapons that can tear down strongholds. Have you lifted your family up to God today? Have you prayed for situations of suffering that need to be changed by Christ's love today? Have you prayed for the kingdom of God to come on earth and His will to be done?
Your service to Christ through vital ministries of the Church is another means of defeating evil. Teaching children, taking the Gospel to a prison, feeding the hungry, giving to a mission, supporting a Christian school, discipling someone in the way of Christ, studying the Word of God so you can share the wisdom found there with your world are just a few of the ways we become catalysts of change - or as Jesus said, "salt and light!" When we are actively engaged in spiritual warfare that meets evil where it is with acts of service and love, then church will become different, too. Shallow sermons about the 'love of God' and vapid choruses that are catchy tunes with lyrics that are all sweet emotionalism won't nourish us. We will drag ourselves together like spent soldiers desperately in need of The Word of God that stiffens our resolve. We will cling to each other because we know we must watch each others' back and make sure that no soldier falls and is left behind on the battlefield.
Believer, re-claim the MISSION! Jesus stated it succinctly at the end of His time on earth. Meditate for a moment on this passage.
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them.” When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs." (Mark 16:15-20, NLT)
Here's my prayer for us today -
God, awaken us to the thrill of being in your work to change the world. Fire us with a passion to see slaves to sin set free. Clear our vision so we are not deceived by the illusion of power provided by our material wealth. Bring us to the end of ourselves and cause us to thirst for You, to desire You more than anything or anyone in this world.
Holy Spirit empower us, not for silly emotionalism, but for real spiritual warfare. Set eternity in our hearts.
Lord, make us authentic Christians. Save the church from us and from our programs.
For the glory of Jesus Christ's holy name, we pray Amen.
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