It’s fashionable to decry the current state of Christianity in America.
But frankly, I don’t buy it.
Some of the most popular conference speakers on the circuit today excel at drive-by-guiltings. They paint a picture of a church that lacks guts, cowers from dying to self, and lives out a self-satisfied, what’s-in-it-for-me Christianity.
In most cases, I like these speakers. They are good guys. I respect them. But I just don’t agree on this issue.
I’ve noticed that their audience is usually a room full of charge-the-hill-type young leaders who eat it up and then return home to look with disdain upon other churches, pastors, leaders, and often their own congregation (oblivious to how much they have in common with the self-congratulatory zealot in Luke 11: 9-14).
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Now don’t get me wrong, I’ll agree that we have lots of carnality and self-centered living in our churches today. But come on, that’s nothing new. It’s been like that from the beginning. It’s simply not accurate to paint a heroic picture of the early church without also pointing out its many failures. In reality, the early church was pretty messed up, about as messed up as the American Church.
Have we forgotten . . .
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Those who willingly sold what they had to share with those in need thought Jesus was returning any day. So when the Pentecost pilgrims who stayed rather than return home ran out of money (no one carried a debit card) the Jerusalem Christians sold possessions, fields, and homes to meet their need. I’m sure I would too if I thought Jesus was returning in the next couple of weeks.
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They ended up broke. So much so that the Gentile churches took up a special collection for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem. Between persecutions and previously selling much of what they had, the Jerusalem church ended up in poverty. Perhaps Acts 2:41-47 is descriptive rather than prescriptive. After all, I know of no one who suggests we should be meeting daily, in Jerusalem, in the temple courts.
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The early church ignored Jesus’ command to take the gospel to the world. They flat out disobeyed. They stayed in Jerusalem. Eventually God had to send a great persecution to drive them out of their holy huddle and jump start the expansion of the kingdom. That’s the only reason they left according to Acts 8:1
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The early church was unwilling to share the gospel with Gentiles. And once they did, they didn’t want to allow them full status as Christians. Only after a contentious debate at the Jerusalem council did things change. And even after that, the battle raged on. That’s one of the major reasons we have the books of Galatians and Hebrews in our Bibles.
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The Apostle Paul’s church plants were so messed up (both doctrinally and morally) he later had to write a bunch of letters to get them back on track. The Corinthians were visiting temple prostitutes, ignoring sin in the name of grace, hoarding the good stuff at church pot-lucks. And they seem to have forgotten that the resurrection really mattered. Timothy had to be reminded not to appoint the town drunk as an elder. The Galatians’ and Colossians’ flirted with heresy. And that’s just the beginning of a long list of sins and goofy thinking that had to be corrected.
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The early church leaders were as feisty and flakey as today’s leaders. Paul and Barnabas had a messy split over how to handle a young intern named John Mark. Peter fell into hypocrisy and pretended to be a legalist until called out by Paul. And didn’t everyone skip out on Paul during his time of greatest need?
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Jesus also had some rather unflattering things to say to the New Testament churches. Most of the churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3 hardly set an example I’d want my church to follow.
So when we call for a return to the New Testament church, do we really know what we’re asking for? In many cases, I think not.
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And in light of that, here’s why I’m so pumped about the future of the American church.
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Jesus said he would build his church and the gates of hell could not hold it back. So I’ll bank on his promise despite some occasional setbacks.
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As seen above, things might not be as bleak as they appear. Yes, we’re messed up, but so was the early church; and God used them to turn the world upside down.
- God has already hand-picked a new breed of leaders and shepherds to care for his flock and beautify his bride. In my travels around the country, I run into them all the time. I wish everyone could see what I see and spend time with them as I do. They are the real deal. Many are already leading huge churches at a young age. Thousands more are heeding the call to become church planters. A plethora of church planting networks and organizations have spontaneously formed to recruit, train, and deploy these folks into ministry. It’s not only encouraging, it’s humbling.
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Does that mean they will win our nation back?
I don’t know. That’s out of their control. They can only be faithful and prepare the horse for battle. God will determine the outcome.
I said I was pumped about the future of the American church – not America.
So what do you think?
Larry,
I love your post today.
It’s so easy for us to focus on the negative and what’s wrong rather than the positive and all that’s right. You’ve chosen the latter.
God’s purposes will prevail. We’re on the winning side.
Larry – First I want to thank you for speaking at the Orlando Conferance this past week. I couldn’t agree more with you – In Michigan we have seen the worst economy in half a century and we continue to lead the county in declining indicators – The result is a sense of fear that grips our people. Everyone is waiting for the next batch of bad news. So I wonder what the churches responsibility is – I wonder if we as a Gods people are turning into a group that is too timid to act. Then I watch new leaders who are not afraid to confront the fear and I cannot help beleive that God is rasing up people to lead us during these times. To be bold and follow God is never the wrong decision.
I agree and disagree…I believe that the local church will survive and even thrive in the future, but that we cannot continue to be content with things as they are. There are bright spots out there, but in general we are going the wrong way. The church really needs to change in some big ways to be vital and effective for this next generation. There is a reason that those messages are attracting a great deal of enthusiasm – they speak to the realization that we as church leaders need to get a lot more displeased with the current state of the local church. Your ministry is an example of good things coming from that realization!!
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I also wonder if some of the Church’s perceived ineffectiveness comes from the loser’s mentality propagated by some of my peers (I’m part of the young leader group). I’m always willing to listen to thoughtful, even harsh church critique when appropriate. But, I feel a little bit like when I lived in Texas. They would predict “Severe Thunderstorms” and we would get some mild rain. Let’s adjust or change what must be changed or adjusted–but spend most of our energy supporting and blessing one another as we serve Christ together.
I appreciate the reminder and am banking on Jesus’ promise as well – that He will build His Church. I don’t believe the Church is weak. I do think it is struggling a bit to find its voice and its expression.
Larry,
this is my first read at this site – got here through sermon central. i’ll be checking in again.
I really liked your slant on this topic and found it “refreshing” up against the “ranting” that is becoming so popular.
I also appreciated the honesty that we’re messed up too; get in line. A radical reminder. You seem to have a nack in giving a thoughtful balance that really motivates one to “get on with it” but also keeps one sober minded.
Thanks a ton.
Looking forward to reading “10 dumb things…”
btw – i wonder how i’d “lead” at the church I’m called to right now if i consistently “lived” like Jesus is coming back “soon”.
Great post. It sure is easier to be critical, than positive. Your insight is refreshing and challenging. I believe the best days for the church are ahead. God loves HIS church more than we can ever imagine Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective.
Great Job Larry…as always you “get it”. Thanks for sharing!
Larry,
Thank you so much for posting this. I found it quite randomly, and this has really served to change my perspective. I tend to be one of those critical types, and this has really brought a new light to the early Church, and its flaws in relation to our own. So, thanks. I appreciate it. I’ve posted a link to my blog.
Ben
Oh my goodness, I have been begging God to find me a site like yours, a place where I can come and read up on what is happening in the Christian world and also be able to express my opinions. I love your site! Got here through primetimeamerica.org. I live in the US Virgin Islands on St. Croix, keep up the good work.
I think your post makes a lot of sense and you really re-enlightened me when you drew contrasts between the new testament church and the “American church.”. I do believe though that the work that God is doing these closing days will consist of the Global church; there are mighty moves of God happening all around the world and also, there are huge failings in ministry coming from all parts of the globe. If we are going to look at the church today, then we got to think global cause believe me, God is bringing all his people together. That’s all. But still this is a great and encouraging article that you wrote. God bless you and keep it up. I have just found a new home.
It’s not enough to bank on Jesus’ Promises… we must pray it through. No major move of God ever happened without intense and concerted prayer! Prayer!! Prayer!!!
Thanks Larry – I’ve often cringed at people who say “Let’s get back to the NT church” – Let’s learn from it but not go back to it!
Enjoyed your talk at Sticky Church in IN.
Larry,
Just read this. I tend to agree that it’s very easy and these days hip to slam the American Church. Each issue of Outreach magazine, we find really amazing, creative stories of churches serving and sharing the Gospel. And these stories come from churches of all sizes and locations. I do believe that the American Church is passionate about an unsaved world. What I see, however, is this inability or maybe it’s just unwillingness to partner for Kingdom impact. I see too many churches doing their own thing instead of either inviting others to join them or looking around to see what other churches in their midst are doing (to see where God is working) and join them. I’ve said it before, but what would happen if churches actually worked together? I really can’t imagine the impact…
Amen, Larry. I’m so glad that you are brave enough to call out historical revisionism … and remind us that when we make our works critical to the power of the our faith, we miss a major part of what our faith really is. Of course we should try to do what we can to influence the world for Jesus, but if we’re not “succeeding” that doesn’t mean we’re always doing the wrong things. We need to stay true to who Jesus calls us to be through his word … and we have to leave the rest up to him, and certainly not get “desperate” in trying to “produce results.”
Well said. My husband sent this to our pastor and he forwarded it to the entire staff. (We are at a large church in the Bay Area.)