What are some of the biggest issues the church is facing today?
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What are some of the biggest issues the church is facing today?
jessie1 on March 3, 2014 at 10:50 am
I think one of the biggest issues facing the church today is an increased focus on material things in the church. Certainly not all, but many churches today are putting a lot of focus on erecting Taj Mahal type structures to the existing buildings they have, or would rather put money into building a new church rather than repair and update what they already have. In many cases, it’s money better spent on community outreach programs, feeding and clothing the needy, and educating people in general about the amazing Love to be found in the Lord. I think it’s adequate to have a church that is more utilitarian than “glitz and glamor”. I’m certainly not saying that a church should ignore the basic comforts. For example, being warm in your church on a cold winter’s day helps you to focus on the worship service. I think some churches funnel so much money into their structures and amenities that they are actually committing a sin. That’s not a good thing in a house of worship. A church building exists as a convenient meeting place for fellow Christians to gather in fellowship and experience the joy of believing in God. It is not meant to be a resort. It’s not a place to make business contacts for your life in the secular world. It’s a place to experience the beauty of worship. I left my former church due to the obsession with money I encountered there. It had permeated every aspect of the church life there, even to the point of mentioning finances in the sanctuary during Sunday morning worship. Didn’t Jesus drive the moneychangers out of the temple? He called it a den of thieves. Be aware of a church whose seems to have an obsession with money and things material. Joy and Blessings jessie1
Tom Felten on March 5, 2014 at 8:42 am
Thanks for your thoughts, jessie1. Money and material things can certainly cause challenges for the church. May God help each local fellowship to live out biblical stewardship and use what God has provided to His glory!
gillian on March 4, 2014 at 6:57 am
I think one of the biggest issues facing the Church as an institution is ensuring it remains relevant in an increasingly digital and technological age. If the statistics are to be believed, there are some places in the world where the Church and Christianity will be extinct well before the end of this century. In the last twenty or so years there seems to be a dilution of the Christian message to make it more popular and palatable. Personally, I feel that we need to be obedient to what Paul wrote in Romans 12, ” Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think…” (V2 NLT) I think the real challenge is for the Church to be relevant without compromising on its ethical and moral values, thinking if it does so, it will be more attractive and appealing. It is by the Church being radically different to the world and its standards that it will be recognised and be seen as being relevant.
Tom Felten on March 5, 2014 at 8:45 am
Good insights, gillian. I recently heard a prominent evangelical leader speak on what he described as a “crisis of theology” that the church is facing. Will we truly adhere to, teach, and live out biblical instruction or—as you mentioned—will we compromise?
elliott on March 5, 2014 at 9:43 am
I think the biggest problem is too many churches thrive on gossiping and not on forgiving. Too many people feel like they can’t share their burdens because they will become the latest gossip. My men’s bible study group starts off each week with, what is said here, stays here. We are there to lift up and not tear down. Could you imagine a Sunday school class where this was announced before they started? Churches need to speak about this and remind people that gossiping is speaking or listening. Hiding it under the, “Be prayerful for Sarah, you know the co-worker who…” status should not be allowed. It’s frustrating to see the divorces, broken homes, indicted community leaders and fallen pastors from churches because they did not have a comfort zone within to share their burdens.