Church As We Know It Is Over!

I recently shared this statement with a group of local pastors and got a variety of reactions.    I think some agreed, some not so much, and one asked me to clarify my statement.  It was a rather rash statement after all.  And this is a dedicated group that prays together weekly for God to revive and restore our churches and community, knowing that it must be a work of the Holy Spirit, as all of OUR efforts have had very limited results.  But I would like to present a few reasons that led me to make the statement, and also explain why I'm so excited about it!  I'll save the best for last.

THE BAD NEWS

• First, I believe that America is no longer a Christian friendly nation.  The ruling by the Supreme Court on June 26 regarding the definition of marriage stands not only against the Biblical definition of marriage, but also against the very nature of God.  In the OT, enemies desecrated the temple, now we (as a nation) are desecrating the very precepts of God.
• We're seeing people leaving the traditional church at an unprecedented rate.  The "none's" are becoming more predominant in our society.  "Church" is becoming irrelevant to much of our society according to polls.  The 501.3c tax-exempt status is on the chopping block for "Christian hate groups."
• Political correctness is the norm.  Anything that has to do with Christianity is demonized and trivialized.  But "moderation" and "tolerance" are the modern buzzwords.  Common Core is teaching our school children that anything goes at extremely young ages.   One of our friends recently confronted our local school with their teaching of Hinduism to second graders and was responded to as being closed-minded and biased.
• I could write a book on the "bad news," but let's move on... there is GOOD NEWS!

THE REALLY GOOD NEWS

• Jesus is NOT losing any sleep over any of this.  Everything is unfolding according to HIS plan.  It's time for the body of Christ to wake up and realize that our society as a whole has moved away from its Christian heritage and is no longer moved or affected by our Christian ethics and morality.  Why would we expect people who are not born again to act any other way?
• The answer to all the problems is not political.  We certainly support and vote for folks who might represent Godly principles (or at least common sense,) but the problems are systemic in government, education, yes, even "church."
• There is a deep stirring and even "Godly frustration" growing in many of God's people.  They feel something going on and are realizing that "church as we know it" has to change.  It begins in the hearts, but I believe it is starting to flow like a river.
• Persecution ALWAYS strengthens "the church."  It happened in the first century, and it has repeated throughout history.  Remember my story about friends who were on a mission trip to China?  They asked the Chinese pastor they were helping "what strengthens the church?"  He replied "persecution, I pray for it every day."  Hmmm.
• The "church" in America has grown complacent and self-serving.  It has become irrelevant.  But there is a remnant army that is forming and it's battle cry is "Jesus Only."  No more religion, no more traditions of man which make the Word of no avail (Mk. 7), no more Wall Street inspired programs and fund raisers.  JESUS is enough and more.  YOU were born for such a time as this!  Move on in to the calling of God. 

HOW DO I FIND SUCH A CHURCH?
Remember that the "church" is a people, and "it" is where you find them.  Ask God to connect you with like-minded believers by His Spirit.  We all need to be connected with folks who challenge and inspire us to drink deeply of HIM.  The bride of Christ is being prepared and she "only has eyes for HIM."  Nothing else satisfies, nothing else matters... JESUS ONLY!