Around the world the Church, as we know it, is in trouble
Most church leaders are unaware that they are in trouble or have chosen to simply ignore the issues that the Church is facing (see Life-Giving Church, Part Fifteen)
In some places it is seriously dying - growing smaller every year
20% decline a year due to deaths, moves, and people leaving
So to remain steady at the same number of people annually need to grow 20%
In some places there is decreasing ‘life’ and a focus on format and ritual, tradition and religion
2 Timothy 3:5 “… having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
In some places the Church has fallen into heresy - teachings that are not biblical. The church grows but it is sliding away from biblical Christian doctrine and becoming a cult / sect
2 Timothy 3:7 “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”
In some places there are what we call “man-made moves of God” where the churches are growing but it is by programs and hype, charismatic leaders who tickle ears. Then the main charismatic leader dies and the church eventually dies as well.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
In some places the Church is growing quickly and attracting young people but these young people soon recognize that the structures and traditions are, in many ways, hampering and hindering the flow of the Holy Spirit
And so they don’t stay - they look elsewhere or plant a new expression of the Church
My point: To continue to be a life-giving church we need to recognized that we are entering a season of change and we need to respond to the direction and moving of the Spirit
Read more at Ralph Howe Ministries
Sometimes I Loose My Spiritual Center
Sometimes It's Hard to Be Civil
Sometimes I Deceive Myself
Sometimes I Feel Stuck
Sometimes I Am Not Thankful
Sometimes the Fire Dies
Sometimes I Feel That I'm Too Old
Sometimes I Don't Walk By Faith
Sometimes I Feel Incredibly Lonely
Sometimes I Doubt God
Sometimes I Worry
Sometimes I get Angry
Sometimes Miss The Big Picture
Sometimes I am Afraid I Will Fail
Sometimes I Suck At Handling Criticism
Sometimes I am my own Worst Enemy
Sometimes I lack Integrity
Sometimes I am Not Patient
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