I ran across this pointed article published in the October 2006 issue of the Christian Index and believe that it quite aptly addresses the current, growing trends within the American church. While it is critical to reach this and subsequent generations with the gospel of Christ, true evangelism and discipleship will not be accomplished by selling our souls for a 'mess of pottage.' Trading biblical, spiritual power in the name of 'cultural relevancy' or other less worthy plumblines is only succeeding in deceiving, weakening and demoralizing the Church. The following comments by Evangelist Jerry Drace are worth digesting by every Christian, whether in the pulpit or pew. - - Charlie Orr, Director and Evangelist, Crosspurpose International
Since February 1975 when God led me to establish the Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association, He has allowed me to preach in more than 1,000 churches in our nation. During that time I noted observations where my team and I spoke.
1. I have observed the lowering of the standards of holiness from the pulpit to the pew. It appears we are seeking to develop happy churches, but not holy churches. One pastor stated that he wanted his people to leave the Sunday morning worship feeling, "affirmed, approved and applauded". Whatever happened to leaving feeling confronted, convicted, confessed, and cleansed? Spurgeon put it in perspective years ago when he said, "Of all the griefs the church ever feels, the keenest is when those who once stood in her midst dishonor the name of Christ by unholy living."
2. I have observed the seductive fashions of the world being worn in the worship centers of our churches. Teenage girls and sometimes their mothers wear clothes to church they could neither wear to school nor in the workplace. The same applies to the male gender. We have developed such a laxity in our attire the result has numbed the spiritual senses of being in the
presence of Deity. I am fully aware that God looks on the heart, but
clothing or the lack thereof, should not distract from looking into His
face.
3. I have observed more and more churches having fewer and
fewer revivals. Of course the rural church will always hold a revival,
whether they actually have one or not, the third week of August.
Vance Havner once said, "Preachers speak of 'holding revivals'.
Somebody ought to turn one loose!" Real revival which takes prayer
and preparation and sees scores ushered into the Kingdom and church members rekindling the fire within is quickly giving way to one day events. We have stopped singing "Take Time To Be Holy," because we don't have the time.
4. I have observed more and more churches decreasing from mortification rather than increasing due to salvation. There is more life outside in most church cemeteries than inside on the pews. At least in the cemeteries the grass grows and the flowers bloom. If there is not a revival in our land many of our rural churches will become bed and breakfast inns and our larger churches will be turned into antique malls. If you don't believe this, visit Great Britain.
5. I have observed more and more churches growing by transferring letters rather than transforming lives. It doesn't take a genius to build a church numerically. Given the right staff and programs you can fill a church. However, there is an eternal difference between filling a church with people and filling the people inside the church.
6. I have observed more and more pastors and evangelists preaching someone else's sermons rather than studying and preaching their own. The call to preach has been replaced with the desire to succeed. Being an expounder of the Word requires time alone with God. Being a mouth for God to the people of God is an awesome responsibility. Preaching someone else's anointed sermon doesn't guarantee your anointment. If the sermon isn't gathered and set ablaze in the pastor's heart it will unlikely spread to the hearts of the church members Some of the greatest proclaimers of the Good News are seldom heard because they neither pastor a mega church nor are the featured speakers on Christian cruises.
7. I have observed unethical and even immoral conduct by religious leaders with little or no remorse on their part once their deeds were made public. The graveyard of compromise is filled with those who listened to the sirens of the world. Accountability and integrity were sacrificed for personal gain and puffed up egos. When Christian leaders become legends in their own minds the ice has already broken.
8. I have observed the policies of the community dictating the polices of the church, especially in the area of sports. We now schedule the events of the church around the athletic calendar of our schools or recreational departments. We have surrendered to the god of sports. Many of our parents allow their children to play their favorite sport on Sunday morning with the rationale, "What can we do about it?" These same parents wouldn't allow their children to skip school for a church event. We even close our churches on Sunday nights if it is a national holiday. Good thing God doesn't cancel His services.
9. I have observed more and more churches teaching the latest trends in church growth rather than the doctrines of the Scriptures. We have churches full of people who can quote from the latest church growth guru, but for the life of them, they can neither recall nor defend any of the doctrines of the Bible. If we fail to seek Christ and find our purpose in Him alone, all the books, seminars, and mega conferences will only impede the salvation of the lost and the disciplining of the saved.
10. I have observed us becoming a people who enjoy the expression of worship without encountering the experience of worship. No one enjoys beautiful choruses more than me, yet with the freedom of style which this has ushered into our churches we must be careful not to allow our performance to overshadow His presence. Celebration without commitment leads to worthless worship.
11. I have observed religion becoming big business. Christian recording artists are now referred to as superstars and certain pastors are touted as religious CEO's. Religious leaders have evolved from troublers of society to trend setters in society. We have religious personalities who are known as much for their political creeds as their theological convictions. Simple statements from the Bible are marketed into multimillion dollar enterprises. An executive in a Christian publication company once told me, "It's all about the buck." You half expect to see certain religious organizations listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
12. I have observed a few proclaimers who have comprised their call because of a cowardly commitment to the truths of God's Word. This brings about a deceitful delivery of devilish doctrines. The end result is a man who panders to the people and prostitutes the proclamation in the process. When wickedness enters the doors of the church it soon spreads throughout the land without any opposition. Satan himself could not have better allies than pastors who refuse to preach the truths of the Scriptures and church members who refuse to live godly lives.
13. I have observed a righteous remnant in every church who hunger and thirst for experiencing God to the fullest. It is this group, both young and old, who will pass on the teachings and doctrines of Holy Scripture to the next generation. Praise God for ministers and members who are not driven by fashions and trends, but remain faithful and true to fulfilling the Great Commission.
Reproduced with permission from Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association.
Jerry Drace is the president of the Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association. He has served as the president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists. Jerry and his wife, Becky, conduct Hope for the Home conferences. He can be contacted at www.jdea.tn.org, and www.HopefortheHome.org.
Article from:
Crosspurpose International
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Observations of an Evangelist
by Jerry Drace
I have observed more and more churches teaching the latest trends in church growth rather than the doctrines of the Scriptures.
Satan himself could not have better allies than pastors who refuse to preach the truths of the Scriptures and church members who refuse to live godly lives.
Christian rticles from Crosspurpose International
