I attended a church that had a great history and reputation. It had been pastored by an awesome man of God who had become well known for his radio show and the books that he had written.
The folks I chatted with at this church were nice enough, but they gave me the impression that their memories of the good ol’ days felt as real as though they were still happening. I could sense the nostalgic, sentimental coziness of the their familiar-shaped community. It was apparent that many of them had been together for a long time.
While there was something pleasant about the ease of relationships I detected among the group, there was something fatalistic about it. The majority of the people in attendance were middle-age or older. I saw no young people, only a few children, and later learned that the nursery had been shut down because there were no infants.
This church was becoming a relic
But God began to speak to the current pastor. God revealed his heart and desire was to reach the next generation. God began to redirect styles, approaches, attitudes, mindsets, etc. And instead of this church becoming a relic, it is now among many of the great churches today that are reaching and raising-up young leaders who will carry on the work. But it wasn’t easy.
There were those who confused styles with theology, methods with message, audience with congregation, buildings with church, etc. They would argue that the way things were was not only the only way to do it, but the biblical way to do it.
But how far back do you want to go?
Before the 80’s…most churches had only a piano and an organ. Electric guitar, bass, drums, etc. were considered worldly, if not demonic.
Before the 70’s… you would rarely, if ever, hear a message about the authority that the Believer has in Christ. Teaching on the power of faith and that God wants to bless his people was almost non-existent.
Before the 60’s… most churches were racially divided. Women were viewed as 2nd class citizens. And Christians were often identified by how they dressed (long skirts, no makeup, no jewelry).
How about even further back?… Our Founding Fathers owned slaves, as did the Puritans. The Reformers, like the Roman Catholic church before them, often used the power of the state to punish (and even kill) dissenters.
How about even further back?… The 1st Century Church was constantly attacked with false doctrine and heresies such as Gnosticism, Arianism, Pelagianism, Marcionism, Docetism, Sabellianism, and so on and so on. The satanic onslaught was vicious and unending. They were stoned, beheaded, crucified and had other horrible death sentences. They were fed to ravenous wild animals in arenas filled with cheering crowds.
Of course in all these dark moments of Church history there were bright moments when God intervened by His spirit. Speaking to his people, encouraging them not to look back, but to keep looking up. Time and time again he has empowered his people to make the message of Jesus Christ applicable and relevant to the lives around them.
Just like he did for the pastor mentioned earlier, God has graciously refocused the efforts of various ministries, and refreshed their mission to reach beyond the way it was.
The reason I know this to be true, is that pastor was me.
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