Could this be next year 2012?

Kind regards,
tom 14

Church discipline has fallen in defeat to political correctness. Creating discord or strife, spreading false teaching or outspoken challenges to true spiritual authority so everyone feels good has become the contemporary battle cry. To many the Word of God is not timeless. These people are rewriting the Word of God. They talk of inclusion and of removing gender. They skip-over the battles with the enemies of God in the quest of the Promised Land. The words of teachings by the early teachers have been declared aged and not relevant to our time.

Even words directly from God are subject to the keepers of political correctness. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” “Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. . .” “You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god.” “”But I am the LORD your God, [who brought you] out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.”

Yet we hear from the pulpit, the clergy, and the church that we must be accepting, thoughtful and mindful of others and their beliefs. No, we do not!

The size, architectural design, décor, and the right address have become paramount to what is considered a successful church. Pastors compete for bragging rights with topics such as the balance of the mortgage (the greater the sum total – the better), number of associate pastors and staff members, interior design consultants, brand names of sound reinforcement equipment, and work performed by volunteers. Total compensation packages are closely guarded secrets. Another envied accomplishment is the elimination of Services. Gone is the time of mid-week and Sunday night Services. The pastor is now excused from Youth Groups, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Missionary Meetings, and community outreach. Exemption from these concerns frees the pastor to chair the finance committee. The times of access to the pastor for counseling, Spiritual or otherwise, though limited, are clearly posted and rigidly enforced.

Meanwhile, across the Country, atheists are loudly condemning religion, and demanding their freedom from religion. These non-believers are condemning Christians and labeling God as a mythical comic book character. They are organized and aggressive in their endeavors. Their goal is to destroy faith. They do not want people to have even the right to believe in God. They are winning, and the church is helping.

We do not need Sunday Morning entertainment complexes showcasing talent and parading the hired help. In almost every community in this Country, one out of every four children goes to bed hungry every night, and one out of every nine is homeless. These families are easy prey for the atheists. I think Jesus had these children and their families in mind when he said: “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” He knew who needed help, and the role of the church. It is time to restore Jesus to His rightful place as the Head of the Church, find a different purpose for the weekly American Idol / Gong Show, and redirect the money spent on treasures that rust, decay or are stolen to the care of widows and orphans. “Test everything. Hold on to the good.”

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. …

The atheists, the God haters, the mockers of Christians, and the followers of darkness have discovered a new and powerful platform. The internet, blogs, social media, forums, open comment and response sites attached to news stories are all now strong organized avenues being used to ambush believers and seekers. These people prey upon the weak, those who are truly hungry and in need. Those looking for the bread of life and the living water are targeted; they are intimidated and overwhelmed with doubt, browbeaten with lies and encouraged to not drink the Kool-Aid. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Churches have chosen to ignore or insulate themselves from this; they do not stand as God’s army and fight the enemy. Contemporary worship is about feeling good, not about the heart or God’s word. Modern worship is a contradiction of the ministry of the church. Today, in most churches (where it is all about feeling good) it appears that there is a rock concert organizer in charge. The goal is to insure that the congregation does not miss, and buys tickets to, the next performance.

This could come as a shock to many, praise and worship is not about the musicians, the instruments, the sound system, or the playlist. Praise and Worship is not, and has never been about a performance. Performance is not a ministry.

God expects worship in spirit and truth that reflects that our inner being is focused on Him.

Paul said, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” Paul is talking about the substance of every heart in the church. Paul was not looking for an organized, directed, and conducted performance. I do not believe that Paul envisioned a time when there would be a praise team leader directing and deciding who is qualified and talented enough to offer Praise. I feel sure that God is less judgmental of heart felt Praise and Worship, than is the Sunday Morning Gig Organizer.

Accompanying many of the Sunday Morning performances is the Feel-good homily. Look around, here in the church, see all the happy smiling faces – life is good, because you are here. We are one big happy family . . . BULL!!!!
Life is not always a happy time – living is not always a feel-good situation the atheists, and other detractors are busy – very busy teaching the sad and tragic stories of the Bible they are skilled and select carefully the verses they teach – the do not teach about what happened before or after, there is no mention of the consequences. They teach to promote doubt, hate, and misunderstanding as a means to destroy the church – the church remains mute and ignores the attacks. The church expects their happy little family to frolic about in a feel-good euphoria, as the evil attackers grow in strength.
Peter tells us that in the last days the devil will disrupt people and relationships by false beliefs, destructive words and sinful behavior . . . I believe this, and I also believe it has, and is assaulting the church.

The church is no longer a place or a refuge for fellowship in time of need. At best the church has become an all-ages social club. Sad.