Saw a post today by Todd Rhoades over at his blog Monday Morning Insight. It shared a video clip of John MacArthur responding to the question I used as the title of this post: What is the greatest threat to the church today?
MacArthur explains that in his opinion, the biggest threat to the church today is the lack of theology and expository preaching resulting in a watered-down gospel. That great oratory is taking a front seat to sound doctrine and is being widely spread via media so that others will believe it to be true just because it is so prevalent.
Acts 2:42 is a small glimpse into what it was like in the first century church:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Knowing Christ in ones heart is a personal matter. I truly believe that it can be an individual experience devoid of any preacher or church. However, what one chooses to do with their new faith is something that I believe requires others. God calls us to him individually, but wants us to become part of a collective body with Christ at the head. Seeking to know God’s truth through his word, engaging in fellowship with other believers, practicing the ritual of communion in remembrance of Christ, and prayer are all things that should be a extension of ones maturity as they grow in their faith. However, is topical preaching on things relevant to one’s culture such as managing finances, having a health marriage, dealing with stress, etc. the greatest threat to the church today?
Not to sound critical here, but I believe that the church is the greatest threat to the church today. Too often the church becomes driven by human leadership and numerical growth. Environments are created where people are encouraged to come from another church and be recognized by baptism in their new church, even though they have been publicly baptized already. In the church, we are made to feel guilt if we aren’t inviting our friends and co-worker to our church. Acts 2:47 reads:
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
If we as the church love God and love others, then God will do his part and send people to hear the teaching, have fellowship, share in communion, and pray for each other. Numerical growth in the church shouldn’t be worked out in meeting rooms in the church by those deemed to be qualified to discuss such topics. It’s a natural outpouring of God’s love for his people. He will connect them in fellowship with others so they may be encouraged and prayed for and serve together. Acts 2 tells us this.
When the church tries to make formulaic processes the reason for health and growth then I see an error in that. When churches focus on loving God and loving others, they naturally seek to grow and mature and stand firm in truth and be steadfast to keep running the race they were called to. It becomes more about what is read in Ephesians 4:4-6:
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
And less about following a pastor, church creed, or membership bylaws to the exclusion of others.
If we look at where there is explosive growth in the church today, it is in places like China, not the US. In China, the church is mainly underground with people gathering at the risk of persecution because they feel the need to be together corporately and to encourage others to fight the good fight. They are not coming under threat of persecution to see Chris Tomlin or Matt Redman lead worship, nor to see Joel Osteen or Robert Schuller preach. They gather because they are the church! They let the Word of God stand on its own, they sing songs of joy and thanksgiving to One Lord, in one faith, under one baptism for one God who is over all. They rejoice in knowing that others are coming to know this same God throughout the world and it gives them strength and hope. The church is at large and believers are born again every second in China. In the US today, church is more like an institution with rules and regulations. There isn’t the freedom and inspiration of the early church as described in Acts 2 or the resurgence of the church in China. Therefore, it is the church that is the greatest threat to the church in my opinion.
How would you respond to this question. Is the greatest threat different in your mind?
Related posts:
- Missional vs. Missional
- Missional vs. Mega-church
- Comparing the Olympics to the church
- Asian church vs. multi-cultural church, part 1
- First Century Church: is it relevant?
Tags: acts 2:42, church, john macarthur, televangelism
My family was thrown out of church<Missionary Baptist.for questioning the pastor on a few things.I was the leader of the Sunday school class and talked to him about a few things i didnt agree with.Next thing i know im out, my wife to.She now doesnt want to ever go back to church, i really do, but it makes it hard when she doesnt.Half the members called me and said the pastor was wrong and they left the church, but im very scared of going back to church because of this, what can i do my friend.Am i not saved now?
Ivan, I’m so sorry to hear about your experience in the church. Unfortunately, you are not alone. When we as men believe that we own all authority in the church, it becomes very problematic. I hope you have someone close to you that you respect that you can share this with and ask them for counsel. I would say that I hope you don’t give up on being connected to a church, but that you shouldn’t rush back into it either. However, I would say that having wise counsel and being in prayer is your first step. Don’t try to process this alone.
As for your salvation, being in attendance on Sundays isn’t a factor in evaluating your eternal relationship with Christ, who is the only one that can bring you into his saving grace.