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The Ever Changing Church

by paul hoffmaster
02/07/21
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The older I get, the more my memory bank assumes active duty.  In fact, memories of past years seem to occupy more and more of my daily times of reflection.   I have to be careful not to spend too much time recalling the highlights of my spiritual journey, for in so doing I might neglect to actively “run the race” that is set before me.  I wish that my recall of “yesterday” experiences were all positive, but tucked into the crevices of my mind is also the negative experiences.  

One of the areas that has overshadowed my positive memories is the major changes that have taken hold in the Church.  I remember when I starting pastoring in the 1960’s the Church was actively displaying the Biblical definition of the Kingdom of God.  It was God’s Church.  The Bible was the sword of authority, dividing asunder the soul and the spirit.  No one dared to question the Word or try to redefine its meanings.  The Church was a Theocracy, not a democracy.  Pastors stood behind the Holy Desk and spoke with power and anointing the words that the Holy Spirit directed them to proclaim.  Pastors would never give “filler” messages.  They would never “editorially” preach for fear they would misrepresent their “Overseer.”  People would gather on Sundays with a sense of awe, for God was going to reveal Himself.  Jesus was lifted up, causing people to be drawn to an even greater commitment.   People could not get enough of God’s Word.  I could go on and on, but it is hard to type when tears of remembrance skew one’s vision.

What I am sharing is in no way to be taken as judgment.  I realize there are many different types of churches.  It is not my purpose to analyze the makeup of these assemblies.  I just do not understand the direction that many of them have taken over the years.  One of the biggest obstacles to my understanding of the progressive church is the lack of Godly respect.  The word “sanctuary” has been replaced with words like auditorium and hall.  Preparing for an audience with the King of Kings is more like a pre-concert event.  People are laughing while they share mundane words with anyone within earshot.  Coffee, bottled water, and phones occupy their hands.  I would never question the sincerity of the neo-Believers for they truly love the Lord, but I just can’t get my mind around treating our Creator with anything but complete respect and reverence.  Jesus said that where two or three were gathered in His name, He would be there in their midst. (Matthew 18:20)  I just can’t picture myself casually experiencing His presence.  Worshipping has taken on a more physical manifestation instead of being still and knowing He is God. (Psalms 46:10)  Pre-service preparation holds the key to a meaningful experience.  Being prayed up and having our minds washed from the contaminants of the week will open the door for true worship.  People should “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise” (Psalms 100:4) all in the spirit of Holiness. 

There is a time for emotional displays of worship, but there are also times when worshippers need to understand what the true purpose of worship is.  Sometimes people get so “carried away” that they fail to hear and see Jesus in their midst.  Manufactured worship is not true worship.  Sincere worship comes from within, not the other way around. 

My memories will never need dusting off, for I will always remember the time when God was respected by the behavior and holiness of the Believer.