What is wrong with the church in America today? The majority of churches are either dead or declining. 3,500-4,000 churches close their doors each year. It’s not all doom and gloom. There are a minority of churches that are experiencing growth. However, the success of a few is overshadowed by the decline of many.
So what’s the problem? Is it methodology, theology, strategy, unity, or another word that ends in “y.” Maybe, but I think it is far simpler than that. I think it is the same problem the church had over 2,600 years ago.
Ezekiel says this about the problem:
“31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.”
People come to church to hear a word from God. Many of them like the music, say amen to the preacher, but walk out the doors unchanged! That is exactly what the Israelites did. That’s exactly what I did.
I knew I was supposed to tell other people about Jesus, but I was scared. I was afraid of what they would think about me. I was afraid of what they would say. So I kept my mouth shut. One of my biggest regrets is that I wasted so many opportunities to reach people for Christ. It wasn’t until I decided to care more about what God thought than what other people thought, that I was able to be bold about my belief in Jesus. The conversations I had as a result have been unbelievable.
Going to church, singing songs, listening to a message, complementing the preacher, and nodding in agreement does jack squat if we don’t actually put it into practice in our everyday lives!
I don’t know who said it first, but the problem in the church in America is this: “Most Christians are educated far beyond their level of obedience.”
We know what we are supposed to do, but we don’t do it. If everyone in the church would simply do what they say they believe, I sincerely believe that we would see a revival in this country greater than ever before.
The world would be a better place if all those who claim to be a Christian could grasp the profound depth in the simplicity of James 1:22.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
What area of your faith do you know that you are supposed to do, but you would have to admit that you aren’t doing it?