What Happened to Modern Christian Churches?
Luke 17:5-10 KJV
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. [6] And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. [7] But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? [8] And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? [9] Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. [10] So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
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What Happened to Modern Christian Churches? What happened to present Christians and Churches of this present times? This could be the questions of the apostles, disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the reformers such as Martin Luther, John Wesley or Adoniram Hudson if they touch our ground coming down from glory. There are Christians and missionaries who have given their lives for Missions, and many were persecuted and threatened to death. But what happened to some churches and Christians who are just comfortable with coming to church, and then put a BIG period on their Christian lives after the Sunday worship.
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Some pastors are well supported by their churches with nothing going on in their church and nothing special for God in their personal life and ministry during the week; should we just leave it like that and not bother them since we will be marked as busybodies if we will give them our unsolicited advice? Or the hardest part on both sides- give them our Christian love through rebukes and be straightforward to them of their being in their comfort zones…
I visited churches every year promoting my books and preaching, It breaks my heart to see few people seated in a cushion pews or chairs, and 90 percent of 20 to 50 church members were senior citizens between the ages of 60 to 90. And the sad part- EXCUSES. Yes excuses from the pastors, the deacons, the leaders, and church members. I'm not ranting in this article; I'm trying to get the message out and try to wake YOU UP spiritually.
PASTORS EXCUSES:
1- The members are not supportive.
2- Our people are busy with their jobs.
3- Our members don't like the music, the preaching, the program, or don't give their tithes and offerings, etc.
4- The pastor before me did not do well…
5- This is a “Deacon Run Church”, it's hard to grow such church.
6- We don't have nice and comfortable church building.
7- We have problems with our parking.
And many more excuses from the pastors, or your pastor that should be stopped and consider questioning themselves...
The questions:
1- Do you win souls?
2- Do you pass out gospel tracts?
3- Do you visits, call, text or email the church members when they're sick or did not attend the worship?
4- When was the last time you as a pastor prayed and cry for lost souls?
5- when was the last time you have activities in your church designed to reach out to the lost?
6- Do you have yearly programs with the intention of reaching the neighborhood and the lost for Christ?
7- Did you have training for evangelism in your church?
8- Do you train leaders like what Apostle Paul did to Timothy?
9- Do you support Missions, go to mission trips, or organize mission trip in your church?
10- Do you study hard, and prepare harder for your messages. Some preachers ends up hitting other pastors, churches, religious organizations, and political figures and celebrities due to lack of preparations on their preaching.
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Don't Major on Minors such as people should come to church well groomed and well dressed. Or everyone should have KJV 1611 only in their hands as they worship. The music must be according to your preference. And step out on other minor things or non essentials and concentrate on what God commanded us to do, on urgent and important. Remember, worship is not about you but about God.
The sad part: the church members are more concerned about themselves, about their own personal issues, about what they don't like with their pastor. They come to church with critical spirit, with a personal desire and expectations on what they can gain and what they could have from the church; then expect the church to grow or see revival. Church members would come to church like going to Walmart or Costco expecting they find some sale or clearance to take home. And not what they can give, share, and do for the church and others, and most of all to God.
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Some Christians don't pray for God’s blessings on worship or pray for the Pastor’s preaching. Many would not care to invite visitors. We don't pray for visitors or shake their hands especially if they are from different cultures, race or economic environment. The saddest part is not to pray for the salvation of the lost souls during the worship service. I don't blame some of the members who don't pray for the salvation of the lost- the pastor don't preach the gospel or extend an invitation for people to accept Christ.
Why do we expect God to bring in revival or growth in our churches if we were not fair with Him. If I received a certain amount from the church to do the Lord’s work; I would really be ashamed of myself if I'm not on my best for Him. How much more; God gave me this life and life everlasting in heaven with Him. He entrusted me something for His kingdom, for His honor and glory, and I don't deserve it. It is fitting therefore for me to give Him my best and my all.
Millions on the other side of our world are killed, imprisoned, were hungry for name of Christ. How about us here in the USA, or in some parts of the world whereby convenience, freedom, and abundance are just a day to day life for us? What have we done for Him Who gave His life for us?
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Let's all pray for God’s revival in our Hearts, in our Homes, and in the House of God!
This is just my personal opinion and it does not mean you have to agree with me.
Ely Roque Sagansay
www.ely-roque-sagansay.com
Emails: esagansay@yahoo.com
esagansay@gmail.com
