There is Still Lots of Good!

I was once told to just come right out and say what you are going to say right from the start. So, here it is:

The Lord’s Church in America Isn’t Dead.

There. I said it.

I read reports about declining membership. I hear people talk all the time about how we “can’t get folks” to come to VBS or Gospel Meetings or even to Sunday night services. I see people talk about the “graying” of the Church, speaking of how most congregations are filled with mostly older folks.

But brothers and sisters, this is the Lord’s Church, not ours. Before we start preaching the Church’s funeral in America, we had better remember that fact. Christ gave us a work to do, and many are doing it.

You see, I also hear of congregations where baptisms are occurring regularly. I see young people who are sold out on going throughout the world to teach and encourage. I know of preaching schools churning out faithful, excited men of all ages to preach and teach. I know many elders who are true shepherds, pastoring and mentoring people to greater faithfulness. One of the joys of my life is spending time with preachers, and I know scores of preachers who are doing wonderfully effective work.

Are things perfect everywhere? Of course not. But let’s be honest: they never have been! By Acts 5, you already had the “human element” (Ananias and Sapphira) causing troubles. Since the Church is made up of people, there will be flaws and times of difficulty.

But there have also been those who are faithful, loving, teaching, growing, and working hard, and there are still many in American congregations who fit that description. They believe in Jesus, and in His Church. They are “steadfast” and “unmovable,” and they are “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

And they serve a Lord who is bigger than any struggle or problem we might face. When our faith is in Him, and our work is for His glory, the Church will not die.

So quit writing the Church’s eulogy. We’ve got more important work to do.