Christian Living

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A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the debut of yet another church in our city. It is an extension of an established body of Believers from a community 30 miles away. I wondered why we needed another visual evidence of the reality of God. This new assembly of Believers had purchased a complex that had previously housed a bar, restaurant, and hardware. I wanted to understand what would draw people to this new worship experience. Their inaugural service was filled to overflowing. If you were not greeted by at least a dozen people, you must have been invisible. Food and beverages filled the outer auditorium. The darkened “sanctuary” thundered with ear-shattering music. The message was foundational and delivered with simplicity. An invitation was given and accepted by many. As you left the assembly of Believers, you were given hamburgers/hot dogs with chips and beverages. As I exited the complex, questions exploded in my mind. Where did the hundreds of people come from in our already crowded Christian community? What were these people seeking that would cause them to enter a converted secular building to join in a communal worship experience about which they knew little?

People are looking for something, but they don’t know what. Many people are looking for feelings instead of faith; emotion instead of peace; excitement instead of contentment; the visible instead of the invisible; the tangible instead of the intangible; confirmation instead of trust; emotional involvement instead of spiritual commitment; fleshly edification instead of holiness. When peoples’ spiritual needs are not being met, they will become church hoppers, looking for what “feels” good, or stop shopping and become institutionalized in the organized church. Some will even revert to dropping out of church completely. It is difficult to say it, but so many of our churches are talent scouts for the local cemetery. We need excitement in the church, but not at the expense of a neglected spirit. Seekers need to understand that emotions will change with the wind, but Biblical Truths will bring consistency. If we base our Christian commitment on feeling instead of faith, we will experience an inconsistent life.

Many churches are havens of entertainment, rather then spiritual filling stations. Maybe this new entry in the church yellow pages will bring a wake up call to the established churches. It is time to meet the spiritual needs of the people. It is time to be the Church God has called us to be. It is more then filling our stomachs, it is filling our spirits. It is more than loud music that caters to the flesh. It is learning to be still and know God is there no matter how I feel. If the Church doesn’t do its job, there is a danger the church will substitute secular humanism for Biblical truths.

Every church needs to examine its motives and goals. If we are not fulfilling our objectives, we need to reevaluate our mission and make the necessary changes. For if the church continues to be a retirement center for Believers, there will be those who will take up the torch and lead the way, either into temporary or permanent fulfillment.

I rejoiced when people responded to the invitation. The only concern I had was if it was a heart changing reality or simply a “super sized” emotional reaction. God help us to discern between the two.

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