I'm feeling a bit uneasy this week…

I recently had a conversation with someone near and dear to me and it didn't really go very well. 

 

First things first, this person has a wonderful heart, loves the Lord, and has a passion for non-believers that is unmatched by almost anyone.  The problem is however, that this person and I disagree [seemingly greatly] on what the role of "church" (the place) is. 

 

I've been struggling a lot lately because of how the church has transformed over the recent years from a place where the Word of God is preached and the children of God are challenged by its truth to make changes in their own lives so they can take that same truth into the world and make disciples of all nations.  To me church in America has turned into a place where people are no longer concerned about the sanctification and growth of the believer; or the teaching, rebuking and exhorting of true convert but are now instead more concerned about making it a "safe harbor" for those who don't claim Christ at all.

 

This troubles me greatly because I don't think this is a scriptural approach to the assembling of the church.  In order to make church a home for the unbeliever many things become watered down so as to "not offend" those who don't love God (yet).  From the music that is played to the clothes that are worn or even the messages that are taught from the pulpit...We are losing truth each and every Sunday.  My heart is broken by every man-made method that is used to try and attract non-believers into 'liking' church.  It's a shame that we have become so preoccupied with how the world "looks" at us that we are losing the souls of those who are earnestly seeking truth and are unable to find it.  I know that God is in control, and he will save those whom He has fore-ordained, but the state of the church today breaks my heart especially when the passion from so many Christians is in the right place, but they are seeking "worldly methods" to church growth instead of biblical ones.

 

But today I found this blurb about what church is in a blog post (team-pyro) and it reiterated a lot of my thoughts and feelings about what church (the place) is really for...

 

"[The Church], that local assembly of believers where pastors lead, the Word is preached, the ordinances are observed, and discipline is carried out. Christ loved it and gave Himself for it (Ephesians 5:25). He died for it."

 

 

What are your thoughts?  Am I just old fashioned or are we truly missing the mark?

--
Jason

 

GTR-Live Co-Host

www.godtalkradio.com
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