Social Issues and the Church

I listen to a lot of podcasts.   Some of the podcasts that I listen to are in no particular order:  Sheila Zilinsky, TruNews (Rick Wiles), Hagmann & Hagmann, and the Power Hour.  I especially like when Ted Broer is hosting the Power Hour.   I am mentioning this because one of the podcasts I listened to yesterday had a portion about another Barna Study.   This was the study that I had been looking for when I wrote yesterday's blog.  Some of my favorite guests on the above podcasts are Steve Quayle, Timothy Alberino, Ted Broer, Nathan Leal, Jonathan Cahn, Pastor Lankford, Augusto Perez, LA Marzulli, and Russ Dizdar.  Of course, I don't agree completely with any of them, but these are people who make me think.  That helps me research and delve into deeper studies of what the Bible says.
The study that I heard about was about why Pastors don't touch the social issues of our day.  You can read the study at:  Barna Study Regarding Controversy
I have often wondered why pastors in America don't talk about the issues of the day.   I know some do and to those I say Kudos!  I had somewhat come to the conclusion that they just weren't aware of what was going on.  I know that sounds very simplistic.   I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
According to this study 90% of them state that "the Bible speaks to every one of the issues."  Less than 10% will speak to the issues.  "When researchers ask those pastors what else they are willing to do to get their people active in the political process, Barna said 'it's almost nothing.' "
Why?  Why would this be?  "
"Why the disconnect? According to Barna, the answer is simple. He suggests asking pastors how someone would know if their church is "successful" – which he did.
'There are five factors that the vast majority of pastors turn to [when asked that question]," he explained. "Attendance, giving, number of programs, number of staff, and square footage.' "
What?  Huh?  Are you kidding me?   I do not believe that you can find backing for any of this in the Bible.  Somehow, I think that God's idea of a successful church is far different.   Here are some things that the Bible says about what the church is to do:  the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, laying down our lives for another,  known by our love for one another,  knowing the Word of God (Bible), having mature Christians, going into the world and making disciples of all nations, the gospel preached to every tribe and tongue (every people group), having the fruit of the Spirit, having gifts of the Spirit, knowing what Christ did for us, not being afraid to die for the gospel.   Of course this list could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Church: Open Letter to Church Leadership

I heard a heartbreaking statistic today.  It crushed me, I knew that it is true.   I don't like statistics because they can and often are manipulated.  I believe they are often used to manipulate people.   Nevertheless when I heard this one, it cut right to my heart.  A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews.
A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews.   The Barna Group is one of the most trusted organizations for statistics.

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/blackwhiteandgray/2012/01/the-church-has-no-effect-on-your-life/#ixzz3R4WRXnbg

This is appalling.   However, I believe that I understand why this is true.

First of all, the church has become a form of entertainment.   The un-churched are not interested in entertainment.  They have real entertainment.  They don't need to go be entertained on Sunday, because they have football, NASCAR,  TV, movies etc.
I believe that C.H. Spurgeon had it right when he said,  "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"Secondly, the church has largely turned it's back on the problems of the country and the world.  Sure we may pick one or two areas we talk about here and there but we don't talk about the economy that is about to collapse, we don't talk about the Islamic infiltration of our country.   We don't seem to care that villages in Niger were recently burnt, killing many Christians.  Or that Christians around the world are being martyred for their faith.  How about how we are sacrificing our infants on the altars of Baal and Molech?   How the film industry is so filthy that the Christians should be appalled.  But no, we go watch their movies, paying our money to the very people we should be denouncing.    As if this is not bad enough, we export our sins to the world.  No wonder Islam calls us (the USA) the whore of the world.Yet, the very fact that shariah law is creeping into the laws of this nation should make us wake up.The real tragedy is that Christians are not being prepared for what is taking place in this nation and the world.   If you study history, can you see how our nation has changed?  How we are becoming apostate? 

What is happening is a spiritual problem.  If the church does not step up and take action, someone else will.  The church will be judged for what we allowed to happen on our watch.

The answer is repentance.  Pure and simply, it must start with the church.  Repentance means turning away.   It is not enough to says "Sorry" and go on with the same lifestyle.   It is almost impossible to tell the church from the world.  Perhaps we don't use the same swearwords, but we dress the same, go to the same movies, use those movies inside the church.  Instead we should be like the 7 wise virgins who were preparing and prepared for the return of the bridegroom.

I believe that in the near future you will see a division between what Jesus called the sheep and the goats.   It is the pastor's (shepherd) job to protect and disciple the sheep.   God considers this an important job with dire consequences for failure.

One final quote from Spurgeon:
Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

Repentance is not raising your hand during an altar call (shouldn't be called altar calls anymore) or by saying a prayer.   Repentance is turning away from sin.  As was in the case of Jacob/Israel, this often involves wrestling.
If anyone reading this needs more information on how to repent of your sins and put Jesus in charge of your life, please leave a comment with your email and I will email you with more information and attempt to answer any questions you may have.   I want you to know upfront that being a Christian (Christ-like one) is not easy.   It is worth it, but not easy.

Of course, if this doesn't apply to you, please disregard.

Sources:
http://www.acommonword.com/
http://apprising.org/2012/02/28/john-piper-on-rick-warrens-chrislam/

Church: Part 2

If you haven't read part 1 of this series, I encourage you to do so.
I want to make a few things clear.  I realize and understand that by writing this blog, I will likely encounter persecution and may even lose friends.   However, as the Apostle Paul stated, "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12.    I hear someone gasping.  When you said the 'sinners prayer' to accept Jesus, did you understand that you would suffer persecution?  Perhaps that is not what you thought you signed up for.   Maybe you were told that accepting Jesus as your Saviour you would have a "happy ever after ending".   Maybe you thought God would give you a Rolls Royce and a condo in the Florida Keys?
Let's take a look at some of the disciples of Jesus Christ.  Peter, John and some of the other Apostles were beaten and jailed for spreading the Gospel. (Acts 4).  Afterwards, they prayed that God would grant them even more boldness to preach the Gospel of Christ.   This is a far cry from the gospel preached today that you can accept Christ today and tomorrow have a glorious life without pain.
History tells us that Peter was crucified by the Emperor Nero.  Tradition says that he was crucified upside down as he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ.  James was put to death by Herod Agrippa.  Paul also died as a martyr.   
If you think that martyrs only existed in Bible times, you should visit the Voice of the Martyrs website.  http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx  Christians all over the world are being martyred today.
I believe that persecution is coming to the USA.  It's time to make sure you are right with God.  The God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac.

Forgetting:  The idea that my life will always be a bowl of cherries.

Remembering:  Jesus is the reason for life.  I may end up a martyr for Christ.  I must prepare for the day I meet my Saviour face to face.

Church: Part 1-Background

As I have stated a few times already, when I started this journey, I had no idea where it would lead.  I was born by and raised by Christians.  I went to church 3 times a week most of my growing up years.  Although I never heard it said then, it was like if the church doors were open, you went.   I never resented my parents for taking me to church.  I actually thrived on it and loved church.   Looking back, I was a Vacation Bible School addict.  I went to every one I was allowed to go to.  For those unfamiliar with Vacation Bible School, it is usually a week in the summer where for 2 hours a day , young ones go to church and learn about God.
I am stating all this because most of my life, I would never have believed a day would come when I would not want to go to church.   Sure I'm old enough to know better, but I do not look forward to Sunday anymore.   Last Sunday, I just could not make myself go to church.   This has caused me to look inside, and find out why.
One of the main reasons that I have "church phobia" is that I have become "cold" by going to church.  This scares me because in the book of Revelation, it is written "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! (Revelation 3:16).   Ugh!!  I do not want to be vomited out of God's mouth.  No way can that be good.   But even more is the fact that I love God!  I want to be pleasing.  But to be pleasing, I must get past lukewarm and get hot!
I know you are wondering how I can connect my 'coldness' with the church.  It isn't from a lack of reading or listening.  I read a lot.  I also listen to many podcasts during the week.   Many times on Sunday, I watch several churches as they stream over the internet.  I try to incorporate what I hear into my life.  I do not want to be deceived as it says in the book of James.  James talks of those who hear the word but do not do it.

I see the same thing in the "church" all over the USA.  We are becoming cookie cutter Christians.   If we can be called Christians.  Christian means "Christ-like".  If we are lukewarm or cold are we "Christ-like"?

Here is what I see as "cookie cutter" churches:
Clockdown before the service begins
Dimmed lighting during worship and possibly the message.
A message from the pastor that is cute, maybe themed, but one that does not encourage maturity in Christ
People get "saved" by saying a prayer  (usually the prayer is pretty much the same each Sunday)
Church goers are encouraged to go to a connect group (also called small group or cell groups)
No mention is made about "social causes", such as Christians being killed by Isis or their villages burnt in Niger, etc
Church goers bombarded with statistics to prove how good and wonderful the 'church' is
Those who have ideas outside of the 'box' get attacked
No negativism - never is anything said of things that could be construed as negative
Church leaders have titles like Lead Pastor, Senior Pastor, Worship Leader etc
Having a stage (used to be called a platform)
Those on stage look like the world
Focus on entertainment
Focus on bringing people into the 'church' as opposed to going out of the church to bring God to people.
 

I want to reiterate that I am not against churches.   This is not about one church, it is about a trend I see in churches.  I hear from people in various parts of the USA and the stories I hear have the similarities mentioned above.

Forgetting:  The spirit of religion that creeps into the church and into my heart if I do not guard my heart.

Remembering:  It is all about God.  He didn't ask me to do all these things.  He called me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind!

Day 10: Expectations of myself

Forgetting:  The rigid, hard-liner ideas that I must do this or that.

Remembering:  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.   It is important to remember this is a marathon and not a sprint.   In a conversation with someone recently, the following thought was expressed.  It is totally possible that while I am kicking myself from thither to yon, God is in Heaven rejoicing over the progress He sees in my life.   It is important to learn to look at myself through His eyes.

Update 11/11/17:
The above is true.  God looks at me through the blood of Christ.  And He knows my weaknesses, but loves me anyhow.

Day 9: Goodness of God

Forgetting:  unmet expectations

Remembering:  Much of life is about perspective.   Whose perspective will I use?  My perspective from the "trenches"?   Or will my perspective be from being "seated in heavenly places with Christ?"
When I expect people to meet my needs, my perspective is not correct.   When I ask God for my daily needs, and trust Him, it frees my mind and spirit. 
Regardless of what happens on this earth, God will always be with me.

Update 11/11/17:
I like writing 11/11/17 for some reason.  Anyhow, I remain convinced that God is with me and always will be.  We don't know what's around the next bend, but we can know that God is with us.