CHRISTIAN MINISTRY SHIFTS: A Personal Perspective

I began my pastoral ministry service in 1974 as a ‘student-pastor’ of a very small congregation in the Hoosier Mountains of southern Indiana. I was excited to take up this responsibility – even though I was only a part-time, weekend pastor. Saturdays were spent visiting in the homes of our members and making connections with the youth of the church. We had Sunday School, Sunday morning worship and an evening service. We made our late-night return trip to our home at Asbury Seminary to be ready for work and classes on Monday morning.

Little did I know the massive transitions that would occur before I finally retired in 2017.

I.        VISITATION

My first conference superintendent suggested that I make 40 to 70 home visits per week! He was an older leader and had served for many years as a superintendent; he was clearly out of touch with the reality of the 1970’s cultural climate.

However, visiting did play a part in the way I served my churches throughout the years.

In my first full-time appointment in Pittsburgh’s suburbia, I went door-to-door down the road that our church was located on, inviting people to attend while leaving a small gift and a flyer of information. I can’t remember anyone attending as a result!

I was taken – by two elderly ladies – to visit many former attenders, some of whom lived a considerable distance from the church. I don’t recall anyone attending as a result of those visits.

After spending my first six months teaching our forty congregants how to lead a person to faith in Christ, we were still only a congregation of forty! I was disappointed [the impatience and over-eager response of an inexperienced young pastor]!

The building of a brand new facility [including twelve acres] ideally located in an area ripe for new homes, I knew that we had great potential for growing the Kingdom of God! I stumbled on an idea. The congregation had splintered over the relocation and construction of our new facility. The forty remaining members were left with an overwhelming debt of over $70,000. It was a dire situation.

I began visiting in the homes of those who had formerly attended. After calling first to arrange a visit, I found that I was welcomed by many of these folks. After meeting me and giving me the opportunity to get acquainted with them, some of them began to attend. These were obviously productive visits!

Then, the family connections started to fall into place! In the next six months, the attendance doubled, with new faces almost outnumbering the congregation that I had inherited.

PASTORAL CARE VISITS

I had several visitation priorities as I began my ministry. One was hospital visitation. When I knew that one of our attenders was in the hospital, I was intentional about visiting them. I kept my visits brief and always shared some scripture, left a care-card, and prayed with them [with their permission, of course].

My own Grandma Haire had gradually been ignored by our pastors after she became a ‘shut-in’. This hurt and disappointed her – along with our family. As a result, I determined that I would visit our shut-in’s once-a-quarter and offer them Holy Communion each visit. Although I sometimes – through the years – found this to be a draining aspect of ministry, I kept it up faithfully. Later, as the churches I served began to grow, I trained lay-leaders to assume much of this ministry!

When I learned that members were dealing with major issues, I tried to offer support by calling to arrange a visit. This is when my counseling skills began to grow and emerge. Pastors are a frontline response to people in crisis – plus, we’re free! 

CULTURAL SHIFTS

Somewhere in the 1980’s things began to change! Privacy became more significant. I often use the term: “A person’s home is their castle!” to describe this transition. In feudal days, castles had moats to keep others out! This became representative of American culture as well.

Just showing up at the door of a parishioner’s home became unacceptable! Home visitation became less and less of a practice of ministry [although I did continue to visit shut-ins]. I also would call to express concern when I learned that a person or family was facing a crisis. This sometimes opened a door for a home visit.

OBSERVATIONS

From my limited perspective, I believe that visitation is now rarely a practice of the newer breed of pastors. In a recent conversation, someone said: “I can’t even imagine my pastor doing hospital visits!”

The pastor as CEO has emerged from the 1990’s successes of Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley and many others. As a result, even pastors of small churches are practicing ministry as though they were leading a much larger congregation!

It’s my perception that many of this newer generation of pastors spend the vast majority of their time working in their study. With Sunday evening services now gone, one wonders what they do with all that time?

 

II.        COMPUTERS AND CELL PHONES

Somewhere around 1992, computers began to become increasingly available. I received my first computer around 1994, as a gift from two of my parishoners.

Cell phones began to become commonplace at about the same time. I don’t need to tell today’s generation about the massive influence this had on the church and its ministers.

By the turn of the century, I was laboring at the end of every week to put together PowerPoint presentations to accompany our worship and even my messages. All of the church’s records were now being recorded and reported via computer. THE WORLD CHANGED!

I remember working at a large church during this period with a dynamic lead pastor. She became perturbed observing younger attenders using their cell phones during worship. On an occasion, she had an opportunity to speak with a few of them at a luncheon. Inquisitively, she asked what they were doing on their phones during worship. She was shocked at their response! They were texting one another about the points she was making as she preached!  😀

You see, all the changes were not negative! Who would want to go without computers today? No one! They are an integral part of the way that we operate in all the venues of our lives! We’re often reminded that the massive bank of computers that sent our first astronauts into space  -  are now small enough to carry in our pockets or purses!!!

I recently observed that for the first twenty-two years of my ministry I either hand-wrote my messages or typed them on a typewriter!  Those paper messages were then filed in filing cabinets along with the paper research that I had accumulated. Seems hard to believe now, don’t you agree!

 

III.        MEGA CHURCHES

The late 1980’s saw an explosion of mega-churches across our land. These massive congregations had already existed in other countries. I remember reading before this that the four largest congregations in the world were all located in South Korea!

Eventually, we began to see the pastors that had grown these churches [some names mentioned earlier] become the teachers for all the rest of us who were hopeful of seeing a similar level of accomplishment.

These mega churches were able to hire huge staffs and maintain a wide variety of programming for every age group! They were busy throughout the week with nearly unlimited options available for their members. It was the kind of broad-based impact that could not possibly be offered by smaller churches with significantly limited resources.

Meanwhile, these mega church pastors became more and more highly recognized through book sales, speaking engagements and major teaching events like Willow Creek Community Church’s Leadership Conference or Catalyst – to name just two. I even flew to southern California for a week one winter to attend a Church Planting Conference at Saddleback and a corresponding Church Growth Seminar led by Rick Warren!

Mega church pastors became our models and our teachers – even though much of what they taught was not directly applicable to our smaller more traditional situations.

In time, when one of these highly recognizable leaders experienced a ‘fall’ – usually due to sexual dalliances – the whole Church felt the pain! Massive shock waves and after-effects impacted all of us who were in ministry!

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What continues to amaze me is that churches are still following these mega church leaders and models! Many churches mimic their worship styles and structures. Darkened sanctuaries became a common feature for many churches across America during the 1990’s. Initially the reason was to be able to maximize the use of screens for videos, dramas and other effects that were intended to shape the experience for the worshippers. This stands in stark contrast to sanctuaries that were flooded with natural light – often filtered through stained glass windows with Christian symbols embedded.

Many churches operate like small clones of mega churches, singing songs that our people don’t know and developing casual formats that are designed to create and sustain familiarity and connections. However, without accompanying small group interaction and accountability, the people never really become connected to one another through the single 90 minute Sunday worship experience!  

Several years ago, I visited a nearby multi-site megachurch for a Sunday experience. When the service ended, I simply stood and watched the people leave. They rose from their theater-seats, progressed back the aisles through the foyer and out the doors to their cars. I observed no interaction whatsoever! These people didn’t know one another and weren’t connected to one another in the least. They simply worshipped at the same church!  This was quite a contrast to the churches I served where I often said to people as I left: “Make sure the door is locked when you leave.” They would smile, nod and agree to do so!

And the result:

·        It is estimated that 15,000 churches closed in 2025.

·        The number of people attending weekly worship in America is at an all-time low of 20% of the population.

·        Many denominations are finding it difficult to find enough pastors to lead their churches.

·        The Pew and Gallup polls indicate that about 20% of Americans attend worship weekly at least three times a month. However, a Washington Post breakdown of America’s faith habits – using data from the U.S. Religious Census – reports that as few as 5% of the population regularly attends religious services.

It is not a pretty picture for the American Church and consequently for our culture. The WOKE agenda has clearly infiltrated the Church and is undermining its desire and passion for being spiritually fruitful!

Having led growing churches for forty-four years, I can tell you that leading a healthy church is HARD WORK! I know that we get teased about only working one day a week, but I have log books that document well over fifty hours per week throughout most of my ministry!

A recent survey done by Lifeway Research indicates that pastors are tempted to leave ministry because of conflict in the church and/or burn-out. The isolation in their role and the rapid decline of the Church in our culture only add to the burden of leading a church. I learned to live with a continual sense that my work was never done!

Not too many years ago, I had a conversation with a fellow pastor – six years younger than me -  who had recently retired. He had endured a difficult appointment and felt the need for a respite. However, after having a year of “doing other things”, he later reengaged in ministry! This is another example of a pastor who desperately needed a sabbatical, but had to find his own way of getting it. He literally stated to me: “Harold, the only way that a pastor can get a sabbatical is to either have a heart attack or a moral failure.” What a shocking and sad statement!

Those years between 1974 and 2017 were marked by several other smaller transitions.

 

IV.        PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT

Somewhere along the way [late 1960’s and into the 1970’s] we experienced a flourishing of the Pentecostal movement that created a lot of controversy – especially regarding ‘speaking in tongues’. This was followed by an enormous surge in praise and worship music that was made available through Integrity Music, Hosanna Music, the Hillsong movement from Australia and, of course, the music videos and events of the Gaithers. Worship leaders became sought after for their skill, charisma, and ability to lead worshippers into the presence of God.  Names like Don Moen, Darlene Zschech, and Ron Kenoly [who, remarkably just died as I was constructing this blog – February 3, 2026] stand out in my memory. There were many others!

Although not all churches were impacted by these smaller movements, many were! Concerts by Christian artists became worship events. Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Cece Winan, the Gaither Vocal Band, and many others followed this pattern by filling large venues with worshippers!

V.        THE CHURCH GROWTH MOVEMENT

The Church Growth Movement emerged in the 1970’s and 1980’s as a network of church consulting firms, conferences and publications focused on helping pastors develop strategies to increase the size of their congregations. This movement was led by figures such as Donald McGavran, Dr. Wynn Arn, C. Peter Wagner, and Robert Schuller, who emphasized the importance of cultural relevance and marketing strategies in church growth. The movement’s emphasis on consumer-oriented church growth led to the rise of megachurches, with the number of megachurches increasing significantly during this period!

I remember attending the Free Methodist Church’s [eastern area] Minister’s Institute of the Northeast at Painted Post, New York during my second year in the ministry [1977]. We were required to bring exhaustive studies of our church’s attendance and membership trends over the past twenty years. Dr. Wynn Arn was the speaker and he presented a whole new wave of thinking regarding growing our churches. Within the next year, every church in our conference was required to submit a ‘Mission Statement’ to our leadership!

A whole new way of thinking about our churches was initiated that clearly impacted the future for many of our churches!

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I have tried to give a fair assessment of what it was like to be in ministry from 1974 through 2017. I am not suited to speak to the pressures and changes that have occurred or been added since then. However, I can assure you that the pressures have NOT diminished.

I remember feeling compassion for pastors during the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020. In order to survive, almost all churches had to find ways to broadcast their services for home-viewing.  Most of these ended up being poorly done simply due to limited expertise and equipment. Churches that had already been live-streaming their services had a huge advantage with this dilemma.

It’s also difficult to imagine leading and trying to grow churches in the volatile environment we’ve known in recent years. Think about it! How do you grow a church today when Christianity is in such significant decline?

For the most part, churches are radically slow adaptors! This has been the most frustrating aspect of leading churches for me to deal with! To maintain vibrant contacts in the current age, quick adaptors are essential!

The denomination that I have associated with throughout my ministry is facing challenging times! They have recently decided to eliminate [or significantly alter] their pension plan for pastors. Plans are underway to merge conferences to facilitate greater fiscal responsibility. Although this American-based denomination has fostered – through vigorous missions’ investments over the decades – a global community of over 1.6 million members in 106 countries, the American membership has dwindled to less than 70,000 members [4% of the total world membership]!

Imagine the pressure on American pastors to grow these remaining churches!

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Lord of the Church,

 

We who are part of the American community cry out to You for help!

Your ‘body’ – the body of Christ –

has a desperate need to be infused with a renewed presence of Your Holy Spirit!

 

Today, we pray for our bishops, leaders and pastors as they seek to discern the next generation of pastors!

 

Lord of the Harvest,

You are still calling willing servants to lead and serve Your Church and to grow Your Eternal Kingdom!

 

May those who hear Your call respond with soft hearts and willing spirits!

May You give them courage to lead from the strength that only comes through Your Holy Spirit! Fill them! Feed them! Use them for Your sovereign purposes!

 

And may we see an army of the faithful fall on their knees and cry out to You for renewal, infilling, wisdom, guidance, courage and boldness

as we move into the future with renewed hope!

 

Raise up a new generation like the men of Issachar - mentioned in I Chronicles 12:32 – who ‘had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.’

 

AMEN.

GENERATIONAL DISTANCING FROM GOD!

It’s not an exciting title, but perhaps it created enough curiosity to get you to open this blog?

[All scripture references will be from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted.]

Now the biblical book of Judges is not one that is frequently turned to or highlighted. It tells of the period of time from the death of Joshua until the rise of the line of kings in Israel and Judah [approximately 1380 – 1015 B.C. – therefore, about 365 years]. Samuel was the final judge of Israel and it was he who anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel.

Our Bibles make an astute observation in Judges 3 that is frequently overlooked. With the death of Joshua and the relatively complete conquering of the former inhabitants of Canaan – the Promised Land – the Holy Spirit seems to want us to know something specific about the new breed of the children of Israel. [Or perhaps we should call them the children of the children of the children of Israel?]

This might clarify it for you:

THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

Numbers 14:22-23

God said, “I forgive them, honoring your words. But as I live and as the Glory of God fills the whole Earth—not a single person of those who saw my Glory, saw the miracle signs I did in Egypt and the wilderness, and who have tested me over and over and over again, turning a deaf ear to me—not one of them will set eyes on the land I so solemnly promised to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with such repeated contempt will see it.

Consequently, this first generation was sent back into the wilderness to wander around meaninglessly until every last one of them died except for Moses, Joshua and Caleb.

[v.25] …for right now change course and head back into the wilderness following the route to the Red Sea.

THE SECOND GENERATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

This was the group that actually did cross the Jordan River under the leadership of Joshua. They progressively conquered the people groups who were living in Canaan and inherited their houses, much of their property and even their crops – just as God had promised!

Joshua 1:10-11

Then Joshua gave orders to the people’s leaders: ‘Go through the camp and give this order to the people: “Pack your bags. In three days you will cross this Jordan River to enter and take the land GOD, your God, is giving you to possess.”’

Although they experienced set-backs, they did indeed conquer much of the Promised Land. Before Joshua died, he designated specific boundaries for each of the twelve tribes to possess. Partly because of disobedience and a lack of faith, not all of the foreign peoples were eliminated from the new land.

God becomes exasperated with this generation and finally pronounces:

[God speaking] So now I’m telling you that I won’t drive them out before you. They’ll trip you up and their gods will become a trap.

Judges 2:10

Eventually that generation died and was buried.

THE THIRD GENERATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

Judges 2:10

Then another generation grew up that didn’t know anything of God or the work He had done for Israel.

Now read carefully the very next words:

[Implied: “This] People of Israel did evil in GOD’s sight: they served Baal-gods; they deserted GOD, the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt; they took up with other gods, the gods of the peoples around them. They actually worshipped them!

A few verses later we read:

[vs.14-15] They were in a bad way. But then God raised up judges who saved them…

 

But they wouldn’t listen to their judges; they prostituted themselves to other gods – worshipped them! They lost no time leaving the road walked by their parents, the road of obedience to GOD’s commands. They refused to have anything to do with it.

Consequently, a pattern was developed that would reenact itself over and over for the next 300 years!

[vs.17-19] When God was setting up judges for them, he would be right there with the judge: He would save them from their enemies’ oppression as long as the judge was alive, for God was moved to compassion when he heard their groaning because of those who afflicted and beat them. But when the judge died, the people went right back to their old ways—but even worse than their parents!—running after other gods, serving and worshiping them. Stubborn as mules, they didn’t drop a single evil practice.

Here we see a clear representation of the deterioration of a culture that began as wholly dependent on God and progressively became distant and even oppositional toward Him!

I doubt that you need me to observe the similarities to what we are currently observing in the United States of America!

History clearly documents that many of the initial developments in America were motivated by a desire to worship freely without restriction or persecution.

America’s history clearly identifies three ‘Great Awakenings’.

The First Great Awakening began in the 1730s and lasted to about 1740. A major catalyst for this period was the preaching of Jonathan Edwards.

The Second Great Awakening was a religious revival that occurred in the United States beginning in the late eighteenth century and lasting until the middle of the nineteenth century. Charles Finney was a charismatic preacher who advocated for personal conversion. His form included extended meetings, emotional appeals, and public prayer for sinners.

This period was also known for the westward expansion’s spirituality led by the Methodist and Baptist circuit-rider preachers.

The Third Great Awakening in the 1850s–1900s was characterized by new denominations and active missionary work. This revival produced leaders such as Dwight L. Moody.

Some contend that the 1960’s and ‘70’s represent a fourth great awakening, but this thought is not widely adopted. However, this period is recognized for three contributions:

1.   The Jesus Movement of the late 1960’s and the biblical teaching of Pastor Chuck Smith.

2.   The development of innovation in worship styles.

3.   Mainline Protestant denominations weakened sharply in membership and influence! Independent, non-denominational churches proliferated and grew with significance!

Although it is difficult to draw a line or pin-point a beginning, most religious historians document a continual decline in ecclesiastical influence through the closing decades of the twentieth century and  becoming even more dramatic in the opening decades of the twenty-first century!

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THIS AUTHOR’S CONCLUSIONS:

The United States seems to have paralleled the experiences [described above] of the children of Israel quite dramatically!

A.  An energized, passionate, willing-to-sacrifice core that were strongly motivated to establish their faith in spite of the need for massive sacrifice.

B.  A generation who generally agreed that spirituality was the foundation of the country and the population - and should drive its formation and development.

    C.  A generation that largely denies these spiritual underpinnings and is       aggressively advocating for a new foundation. 

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To return to the beginning of this blog article, we are reminded that - under the direction of God - the children of Israel had their civilization completely leveled in 587 B.C., and they were carried away into captivity in a foreign country!

WHAT IF ALL YOU OWN WAS TAKEN FROM YOU?

The writer of the biblical book of Hebrews is unknown.

This letter was probably written between A.D. 64 and 68.

“The recipients of this letter were believers (3:1) who had come to faith through the testimony of eyewitnesses of Christ (2:3). They were not novices (5:12), and they had successfully endured hardships because of their stand for the gospel (10:32-34). Unfortunately, they had become ‘dull of hearing’ (5:11) and were in danger of drifting away (2:1; 3:12). This made them particularly susceptible to the renewed persecutions that were coming upon them (12:4-12), and the author found it necessary to check the downward spiral with ‘the word of exhortation’ (13:22).”

[from The Wilkinson and Boa Bible Handbook, pp.455-6]

“Many Jewish believers, having stepped out of Judaism into Christianity, wanted to reverse their course in order to escape persecution by their countrymen.” [Ibid. p.453]

With this background addressed, we can see that this letter was written at a crucial time to encourage new Christians who had been dispersed from Jerusalem to various parts of the surrounding environment. The persecution was growing intense and they were suffering!

The unknown author of this letter is deeply concerned and dedicated to encourage these New Testament Christians. The author seems well-acquainted with the degree and nature of their suffering and wants to encourage them not to give up, but to persevere in their faith in Jesus!

The author writes:

Remember those days in the past when you first learned the truth. You had a hard struggle with many sufferings, but you continued strong. Sometimes you were hurt and attacked before crowds of people, and sometimes you shared with those who were being treated that way. You helped the prisoners. You even had joy when all that you owned was taken from you, because you knew you had something better and more lasting.   [Hebrews 10:32-34 NCV]

That last line [printed in bold letters] stopped me!

I found myself wondering:

If all I owned was taken from me because I was a Christian,

would I have joy because I knew I had something better and more lasting?

It didn’t take me long to produce an answer.

No. I would be overwhelmed with feelings of injustice, shock, despair and sorrow. I would be looking for some recourse that might restore what was rightfully mine! I would be angry! I would probably be feeling sorry for myself. I can’t imagine myself being joyful in the face of losing everything that I owned!

I would need an intervention! I would need someone – like the author of Hebrews – to give me a strong, direct, corrective word!

I would need to be told:

• God sees you, Hal, and is on your side!
• The Lord will provide!
• He will make a way where there seems to be no way!
• The Lord is your shepherd – you shall not want…
• Put your trust in Him and He will deliver you.
• God is good – all the time!

I would need to be reminded that my true reward will come in Heaven! I would desperately need to recall the truth I’ve known and taught: that something better and more lasting waits for me in Heaven!

I would very much need to hear the author of Hebrews’ very next words:

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. For in a very short time,

“The One who is coming will come

and will not be delayed.

Those who are right with me

will live by faith.

But if they turn back with fear,

I will not be pleased with them.” Habakkuk 2:3–4

But we are not those who turn back and are lost. We are people who have faith and are saved.

[Hebrews 10:35-39 NCV]

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TWO THOUGHTS BEFORE WE CLOSE

1.    It could happen!

I’m writing this on the morning after a 23-year-old gunman shot through the windows of a Catholic Church in Minneapolis killing two young children and wounding seventeen others!

Our culture is disintegrating!

The decades-long-assault on the family has produced a generation of youth who are angry. They were not prized and loved. They were not taught and nurtured. Love, honor and hope were not modeled for them. Guardrails were not in place! In many instances, they raised themselves and each other. And we reap what we’ve sown!

As a parallel, the influence of the Church has been waning for decades! The fact that this shooting took place while the victims were attending a mass, screams disdain and disregard for Christianity!

One could easily postulate that the magnitude of these problems will not be solved by an election or a political party.

If this sentiment continues to grow unrestrained and unchanged, we could eventually see the day when we would suffer the same losses as the people that the author of Hebrews was writing to in the first century – just 2,000 years later!

 2.    The hardest thing for us to do!

We live in the here-and-now, but someday we hope to live in the there-and-then!

The here-and-now is real to us! The there-and-then seems ethereal and imaginative. We struggle to think of a place that could go on for all eternity!  It’s one thing to say that we believe our loved ones have gone to Heaven, but where is it? What is it really like? What is life there like? Will we be bored? Will it be like being in church forever? Will I worship non-stop? Will it be a fun place? Will there be humor? Will I be able to travel the universe? Will we eat there? Will my former pets be there? Will I have a body?

So many questions and so few answers.

And yet most of us believe in Heaven – at least to some extent. We may not know specifics, but we do believe there will be ‘something more’.

Perhaps we should invest a bit more in a study of Heaven and its assurances? If it’s all true, then I’ll be there FAR LONGER THAN I’LL BE HERE!

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LORD GOD: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

I want to be faithful to You!

I believe Your Word!

I have accepted You as my Lord!

I’m trying to live my life to honor You!

There is a war going on!

Evil is real and rampant!

It impacts me daily.

I must continually choose You and Your way.

It’s not always easy.

Temptation is real!

I’m not always strong.

I falter and fail.

But You are faithful to forgive!

You always hear my prayers of confession.

Your restore me again and again.

You have many ways of protecting me.

I want to be so committed to You that if I lost everything I own,

I would still choose to be faithful to You and to trust in You!

I want to think of myself in the words of the ‘rock pioneer’, Larry Norman, who sang:

“I’m only visiting this planet!”

I am already a citizen of Heaven!

I read in Philippians 3:20-21

“…our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, 

the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. 

By his power to rule all things,

he will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body."

Help me to be more heavenly-minded, Lord!

Help me to look forward to it with anticipation and not to lament those who have left this life after living faithfully for You. Rather, help me to humbly rejoice that they are enjoying You, people, and experiences that I can only long for and try to imagine!

And may I continually remember that none of the things that are so precious to me here will make it through to Heaven! So, I probably ought to worry far less about my possessions. Right?

Amen!

HOW TO FIX A RUINED WORLD

I suppose every generation tends to think that cultural demise is a terrible thing.  The longer we live, the more changes we tend to see.  The changes feel abrupt to us.  It rattles our comfort zone!  We are prone to think of the changes in negative light.  

These changes inevitably catch our attention and cause alarm:

• increased violence in the global culture
• the fear of a major upheaval that threatens our long-established freedoms
• the redefinition of the traditional family structure
• an invasion of illegal immigrants that is creating irreversible impact
• the fear of war that could change the structure of our world

The list could be expanded...

However, other changes have been beneficial:

• social media that allows us to stay in contact with friends from around the world
• entertainment technology that allows us to tailor what we watch to that which is acceptable
• the knowledge that although Christianity is faltering in America, it is prospering and growing in other parts of our world
• transportation systems and freedom of movement that allow us to travel widely
• in spite of high inflation, financial stability is still possible for many

Currently, two movements are clashing, each of which promises hope and prosperity in the future.  An election is currently underway that will give precedence to the winning designee.  We all wait with hope and bated breath to see what the results will be...

But regardless of the outcome, the world will go on.  A miniscule number may flee in hopes of finding greater security elsewhere, but the vast majority will react, adjust and continue to strive for security, stability and peace.

But the truly discerning realize that our hope is not in a savior, but in a Savior!  

Dividing lines divide!  They always have and always will!  

Conflicting views will continue regardless of the election results.  

An old hymn states: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' Name.  On Christ, the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand - ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!"  

Pastor Edward Mote wrote this hymn in The United Kingdom in 1834.  That year, England had four different Prime Ministers.  Public hanging was abolished in England.  One year earlier, slavery in England was abolished.  Parliament and the Palace of Westminster were destroyed by fire.  The word 'scientist' was first used in the QUARTERLY REVIEW, but it was noted that it was "not generally palatable".  The first trade unions were being established.  The able-bodied poor could only receive government aid if they entered government-run work houses.  Immorality was so rampant that the government ruled "authorities should no longer attempt to identify the fathers of illegitimate children in order to recover support for them."  

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1834_in_the_United_Kingdom]

Like today, Pastor Mote must have observed negative and positive influences at work in his culture.  His resolution was to point people to something that would sustain them in spite of the upheavals they were experiencing.  

We would be wise to follow his example in 2024.  

We must revive spiritual hope in our culture!  Most of us wouldn't consider writing a hymn to influence others (although I wouldn't rule it out!  😊).  But what can we do to turn people's hearts and minds toward a genuine faith?  

I believe our responses will need to be creative, innovative and radical!  

For instance:  [Re-read the former line before proceeding!]

1. I sincerely believe that the church needs to return to the home!  Perhaps not entirely, since there are churches that are growing and making a difference in people's lives.  However, most churches do a poor job of genuinely intersecting in people's lives.  The average person who is trying to live a Christian life needs accountabilty that isn't being offered in most churches!  They need to know others intimately and be given an environment where they can regularly share personal needs and exercise their gifts in a warm and loving community.  I believe that a house-church movement will be essential in enabling this kind of deep fellowship and connection.
2. Innovations like THE CHOSEN movie/television series is opening doors for influencing people in an impactful way!*  Non-followers viewing this series WILL HAVE QUESTIONS!  Some will need to be reminded of the liberties that the creators have included.  All will need to be sent to the Bible to discover "the rest of the story" [to borrow a Paul Harvey line].  These episodes could be utilized in a house-church [small group] and trigger ongoing discussions and study that could vitally impact the way people are living their lives!
3. The American church needs desperately to reinvent itself in line with the Holy Spirit!  Remember: we live in the period of the acts of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles!  THAT'S US!  Think about it!  As soon as a church builds a building, they have set a limit on their growth and capacity for ministry!  The day of cathedrals is long past!  We need to think invasively!  Bible study groups in coffee shops!  Rent out a roller skating arena and play Christian music - open to ALL and FREE!  Yard sale after church where everyone who attends gets to buy items REALLY CHEAP [Give the proceeds to the Red Cross!]  Outdoor worship events that coincide with a car show; offer free food!   
4. Christian groups that repeatedly offer or sponsor:

• Divorce Care Groups
• Financial Recovery Groups
• Grief Share Groups
• Twelve-Step Groups
• Depression Support Groups
• Bible for Dummies Groups
• First Steps in the Christian Life Groups

            [The leaders of these groups need to be carefully selected and highly capable!]

    5. Churches that are less encumbered with enormous building debt burdens and that are not focused on recruiting people to work in the church as teachers, leaders, nursery workers, youth leaders, committee members, etc..  Instead, churches that recruit and equip people to serve in community-based agencies, efforts, projects and endeavors where evidence of their faith leaves a positive impression on the neighborhood!  Imagine a village or town where the community leaders considered the local church as a resource for getting projects resourced and accomplished!

    6.  Christ-followers who live out their faith day-to-day in the workplace and neighborhood in such a way that their example draws people to them and to Christ!  People whose lives regularly intersect with others and leave the fragrance of Christ in their trail!

Anemia/anemic [according to Miriam/Webster] means:

1. a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.
2. lacking force, vitality or spirit.
3. lacking interest or savor.

The American Church is clearly lacking force, vitality and Spirit!  It also lacks interest in its Savior!  Instead of changing its culture, IT'S BEING CHANGED BY ITS CULTURE - AND NOT IN GOOD WAYS!  

I pray and long to see it be transformed!  

Here are the other verses to Pastor Motes' hymn:

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand - 

ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!

_____________________________________________________________________________

"Jesus said to them, 'Who do you say that I am?'

Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

And Jesus said to him,

'Blessed are you, Simon, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you,

but My Father who is in Heaven.

I also say to you that upon this rock [of truth]

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

AND THE GATES OF HADES WILL NOT OVERPOWER IT.'"

___________________________________________________[Matthew 16:15-18 Amended)]

*  I do not like EVERYTHING about The Chosen series.  I struggle with some of the liberties they take with the narratives [and have written to the creators to express my opinions].  However, the creativity is unparalleled.  I end almost every episode in tears and expressions of joy!  Debbie and I have viewed the first three seasons at least four times and will continue...

IT'S HARD TO READ THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS

 For instance, I'm currently reading in Isaiah and Hosea.  They both lived and worked for God in the eighth century B.C.  This was  not a good time in Israel's history!  Her kingdom has already been divided into the northern and southern kingdoms: Samaria (north) and Judah [or Ephraim] (south).  Each has their own king and the kings of Samaria have even created their own worship centers to prevent their people from going to Jerusalem to worship!  

The people of both countries have wandered away from God.  They worship idols and sacrifice to non-gods.  Their immoral conduct is beyond description. They have forgotten the commandments of God and are living for self-pleasure.  Their kings are caught between two dominant and competitive forces:  Egypt, which has been stable for centuries, and Assyria, which is rising in power!  A long line of northern and southern kings seek treaties with one or the other of theses countries in an attempt to gain favor and protect their people.  They do this, of course, instead of turning to God for guidance and protection!  

God - through His prophets - sends many messengers to try to get the attention of His people, but they continue to rebel and ignore Him.  

By 722 B.C., God's patience has expired and he brings Assyria - as His instrument of punishment - to destroy Samaria and carry her inhabitants away to foreign lands!  Then, in 587 B.C., Jerusalem was destroyed and its people were carried away to Babylon!  And the foretold seventy years of exile began!  

During this time, the land of Israel lay dormant with a very small number of people left to care for the land!  Not until the Persians defeated Babylon would the new King Cyrus make a decree that the Jews could return to Israel and begin to rebuild the city and the temple [this occurred around 539 B.C.].  

Although the people were restored to their homeland, she would never attain to her former glory!

____________________________

I'm no prophet and I am not a scholar, but it is hard not to make inferences to our current situation in America.

Our country was founded on Christian principles by godly men and women who sought to establish a place for freedom of religion.  There is little doubt that these efforts flourished and a new country was born of revolution for independence!  Thirteen fledgling colonies gradually grew [by 1959] to fifty states [by the admission of Hawaii].  

This new land prospered in almost every way as westward expansion progressed from sea-to-sea!  The industrial revolution fueled enormous financial growth!  The central part of the new country became the breadbasket of the world!  The core values of Christianity adorned almost all government buildings via statues or engravings.  Churches became the glue that held communities together.  This establishment of peace and prosperity survived through the 1950's.  

Although I'm no historian, it is clear that the underpinnings came under attack during the turbulent 1960's.  We've catalogued a continual decline in the impact of Christianity since that time!  The drop-off of morality has progressively had an impact on the foundation of the American family!  Our educational system has fallen into the hands of seemingly 'progressive' thinkers who had alternative plans to subvert our youth and sow seeds of dissension.  We're seeing the results of this undermining nightly on our news channels.  

Families fracture, marriage is muddled, education is extirpated, unity is gutted, and hope is diminished. Sexual confusion is rampant among our children who are no longer led or protected by reasonable or Christian perspectives.  And all the while, a massive number of frustrated Americans remain silent - even though they may actually represent a majority!  

A cursory view of our world notices that two massive and major countries who have been traditionally considered a threat to the United States have now allied and pose a very real threat to our existence.  For at least a year, we've heard reporters and government leaders indicate that we are on the edge of nuclear war!  

__________________________________

And yet, life goes on.  Many are unaware or unconcerned about these grave dilemmas.  Day-to-day life is all that matters.  Some have begun to pack away resources in case of an economic collapse.  The extreme wealthy have prepared underground bunkers capable of sustaining life for several years, if necessary.  Others rest in the misguided assumption that our woke military will ALWAYS be capable of defending us against our united enemies.  

But, different from the Old Testament days, we hear no prophets calling us back to the principles of our faith!  Christians are largely indistinguishable from all other citizens.  Complacency reigns - even in the church - which is clearly in serious decline!  

Thanks to the current administration, we're already being invaded by hoards of immigrants who do not share our values, know our history, or speak our language.  This damage has been done and cannot be reversed.  Those who have the desire and potential to propagate destructive acts and unleash unspeakable violence are already within our borders!  

For those who pay attention to these things, it at least raises the fear that we may be on the verge of being displaced, deported or destroyed.  

_____________________________

For those who follow Christ firmly and place their trust in Him, we rest in the knowledge that He has assured us that He is always with us!  He sees it all!  He loves His own.  

But the fear is real!  Christians in the Roman Empire were compelled to pledge allegiance to Caesar or die!  Many chose death over denying their Lord!  Will it come to that for American Christians?  Is our faith in an eternal reward strong enough to carry us through this kind of deep persecution?  

The people of Jerusalem were marched out of the city naked as they looked over their shoulders at the smoldering fires of destruction.  Even the prophet Jeremiah was in this group!  But the same God who brought about their destruction, put it on Cyrus' heart to release them and fund the rebuilding of their society!  WE MUST TRUST GOD AND GOD ALONE!