When it comes to doing church in our culture, one very strange but true observation can be made: it’s amazing how much we can do without God.
When you have access to financial resources, a decent building, good sound equipment and a preacher who can either stir the crowd up or make them feel good, you can do quite a lot without ever involving God in the process.
But bit by bit, the rot sets in. The church is a mile wide but it’s an inch deep. Real committed relationships are non-existent because the church is built on human strategies and abilities, not the presence of the Holy Spirit who alone can draw people together in community and covenant. Worship is slick but never draws us to the throne.
People begin to become discontent because something is missing. And sadly, sometimes what is missing is God himself. And they drift away. First to another church where they find the same thing. And then into a spiritual wasteland where they become unfruitful, unproductive for God and often cynical or even bitter.
We need to get one thing straight. Church is not primarily about holding well-organized meetings where people experience momentary emotional uplift.
The goal of Christian community is first and foremost to encourage one another to know God better. And knowing him better, to serve him more effectively. And ultimately, by knowing and serving him, to cause our lives to bring glory and honour to him alone.
One of the most encouraging things I have seen in recent years is the growing number of young leaders who are really on fire for God. Many of them have lived through the “manufactured church” experience, but instead of becoming disillusioned they’ve set out to find something better. Something with strong Biblical teaching, strong emphasis on living together in covenant, and strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit not just as the giver of gifts but as the source of a sanctified life. And this is totally irrespective of denominational background.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with buildings, sound equipment or inspiring preachers. We need them all. It’s just when that’s all we do have, sooner or later we’ll find out it’s not enough.
I wonder what church will look like when we all come out of lockdown? One thing I’m already beginning to see is that churches built on the right foundations are the ones who are going to come out of the starting gate strong. At the other end of the spectrum, churches built on human foundations without a lot of divine substance may find many of their people got along quite well without them and may never come back.
One thing is for sure. We are living in a culture increasingly hostile to Christianity. The storms are coming and the waves will wash over us.
That’s when we’ll find out when we’ve built our churches on sand or on rock.
Let’s get it right now before it’s too late.
CONSIDER PARTNERING WITH DAVID & ELAINE CAMPBELL IN HELPING TO SUSTAIN THEIR ACTIVE MINISTRY.
AWAKENING MINISTRIES // FOUNDATION of FAITH Project
Foundation of Faith Project is strengthening generations in faith and bringing beautiful changes to the communities around them. Through teaching, mentoring and coaching, many are finding out who they are and who they are destined to be. They are bringing more to their world. David Campbell is the key leader in this initiative and you can support him financially directly through Awakening Ministries.
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