CHURCH STAGNATION

I Was Just Thinking About – CHURCH STAGNATION.

There is no limit to the number of Church Growth Seminars and Workshops. The same is true of Evangelism Conferences and the best methods to utilize to reach the spiritually dead with the message of hope and becoming spiritually alive. One of the main issues with workshops and seminars is that they all cost money to attend and to get the materials being offered.

This morning on Facebook - A Church Growth Promotional and Marketing Ad was prominently listed. It asserted the following: "If you’re like me you’d love to reach more people in your community and see the church grow. That means changed lives and people encountering the love of God! A recent study found that 85% of North American Churches are experiencing stagnation or decline… What gives? Well, one thing’s for sure. We can’t keep doing the same old things if we want to get different results. We’ve got to think differently as pastors and church leaders."

IF these assertions are valid, the Church will need something other than a Seminar or Church Marketing approach. Revelation 2 and 3 give the requirements of Jesus Christ for the representative churches he is observing. Among His words to the Churches are an action each Church can and should take: (1) Remember. (2) Return. (3) Repent. (4) Be Renewed. Where is there is spiritual delinquency and carelessness, Jesus is asserting there must be a reversal and correction.  It will include the people who claim to be a “Christian” to no longer quench (extinguish) the Holy Spirit (First Thessalonians 5:19); and to no longer grieve the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 4:30).

A genuine and authentic Christian will be committed to following the Biblical requisites for spiritual vitality (Ephesians 4:31-32) and exhibit the fruit that the branch attached to the True Vine Jesus Christ will actuate (Galatians 5:22-23). Such a one will realize personal Spiritual Growth that will - in turn - stimulate and accomplish a Biblical Church Growth by those who are  committed to being genuine/authentic followers of Jesus Christ.

After years of faithful ministry, Stephen Olford wrote a book – Heart Cry for Revival. In it, he stated: “Never was a church-wide, heaven-sent revival needed than at this present time. It is the only answer to the spiritual warfare we face in every part of the world. We must recognize that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (Second  Corinthians10:4-5).

Psalm 85:4-7 shares: “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? WILL YOU NOT REVIVE US AGAIN, THAT YOUR PEOPLE MAY REJOICE IN YOU? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”

Until the Church as it exists today begins to do God’s work in God’s way, stagnation and decline will continue. Serious minded people must begin to take a serious God seriously. Once they do, God’s blessings will return.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.