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!

_________________________________

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!

_____________________________________

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!

__________________________________

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!

_________________________________

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. 

[scroll down...]

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

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!

A THOUGHTFUL AND INTELLIGENT ASSESSMENT

One of the most challenging things I read each month is Hillsdale College’s Imprimis. It is intellectually stimulating and culturally relevant.  I don’t pretend to understand everything I read there, but isn’t that the nature of a challenge? 

The edition I just read [July/August 2025/Volume 54, Number 7/8] did not miss the mark. It was an encapsulation of the recent 2025 Commencement Address delivered by Victor Davis Hanson [who many of us see occasionally making contributions on the various conservative news networks].

His introductory remarks were warm, personal and real, as he reflected on his first visit to Hillsdale College in 2004. He reflected on three observations made during that visit:

1.   He left a bicycle unlocked on campus overnight and found it the next morning neither vandalized or stolen.

2.   While visiting the campus bookstore he noticed no therapeutic course titles like peace studies, environmental studies, leisure studies, film studies, gender studies, or sexual studies. Instead, there were courses in all classical aspects of philosophy, literature, languages, history, mathematics, and science.

3.   Upon arriving he observed that students, faculty, and staff at Hillsdale College are happy. “They smile. They say hello to strangers. They shake your hand.”

I will not replicate his remarks – except a few that particularly struck me. He challenged the graduating class with corresponding points about honor, tradition and optimism.

I underlined the following:

“When individual behavior and decorum falter, so does a country, which is, after all, only the common reflection of millions of its individuals.” [p.3]

Immediately thoughts of violence, looting and destroying property leaped to the foreground of my memory. Thoughts about the unsympathetic exchanges between our two political parties and the angry tirades we watch on the floor of our Congress disturbed my mind.

Granted, those who propagate these vehement expressions of anger and discontent are a minority, however, they inevitably taint the bigger picture of our COUNTRY! 

The fact that these exchanges take place as frequently as they do mars the good reflection that we desire!

I also took note of Dr. Hanson’s words regarding tradition:

“So often in the present age, we in our narcissism and arrogance confuse our technical and material successes with automatic moral progress. We seem unaware that thinkers of the past – as early as the Greek poet Hesiod, some 2,700 years ago – worried about just the opposite: they worried that material progress and greater wealth would result in moral regress, given the greater opportunities to gratify the appetites with perceived fewer consequences and to use sophistry to excuse the sin.”

 

[I had to look it up: sophistry means slightly deceptive reasoning.]

Would anyone argue this point? Has moral behavior been improved by our material gain and technological prowess?

I don’t think so.

Cite the diminishing impact and influence of the church in America as a consequence of our wealth and sophistication. It’s a good question for debate: Does the declining influence of the church correspond to the increase of immorality? What do you think?

However, Dr. Hanson deliberately closes his remarks “on a happy note”. He looks to the generation he is addressing in this speech for optimism. He states that “the strength of this country - even in its darkest days like those of April 12, 1861 [the Battle of Fort Sumpter], or December 7, 1941 [the attack on Pearl Harbor] or September 11, 2001 as evidence that even in its darkest days - has always been its singular ability to remain not just unshaken, but confident in its values, its resilience, and its inherent strength to overcome all challenges.” [p.5]

I’m 73½. 🙂  [I’m remembering George Carlin’s bit that states when you reach a certain age, you start counting ‘half-years’ again!]

In short – I’m an old guy. Although I’m still aware of the contributions of Abraham, Moses, Samuel and quite a number of older folks who made major contributions to history [His story]. I’m also aware that our president is 79 years of age – and sets a pace that few can sustain.

However, the future will be more likely impacted by a new and younger generation. Let’s hope and pray that those who cherish values like faith, freedom and respect will lead us into a future that protects those of all ages, finds creative and fair solutions to the complex issues of the global community, and propagates democracy as a preferred system of government. 

PART OF WHY WE GATHER

I'm quote-filing this morning after reading several books recently. I just typed this in after reading it in Michael W. Smith's book, a simple blessing.

When we continually expose our minds to the standards of the culture, those standards begin to seep into our lives. The fatal change comes so gradually that, like the frog in the kettle, we don’t even notice it. First we are no longer shocked by evil. Then we become accustomed to it. Then we tolerate it. Then it’s only a tiny step to accept it as normal.  [p.76]

It immediately occurred to me that this is one of the key reasons that we get together for worship every week!

Through the course of the week we are inundated with the impact of massive and consistent cultural change! Many of us are realizing that we can't keep up with it. It's overwhelming. We may despair over the way younger generations seem to adapt and adopt trends that we are wary of.

Debbie and I love watching good dramas on television, but so often they are beyond what we consider acceptable. If you would examine our television, you would find a host of TV series and movies that we watched for five or ten minutes and then bailed out! This is because we ran into language, sexual situations, violence or moral issues that conflict with the values that we hold as precious. So, we move on...

The internet is an 'out-of-control' issue for people today. It provides a measure of anonymity and voyeurism that is high-risk for anyone who wants to maintain godly standards and behavior! Strict controls and accountability are necessary to maintain appropriate viewing patterns!

Just watching the news can fill a person with despair! 

But before this disintegrates into a "Woe is me! - the sky is falling" diatribe, let's make a right turn.

It occurred to me - as I typed this quote into my file - that one of the reasons we meet together regularly as believers in Jesus, is to serve as a correction for this onslaught of corruption and vulgarity. 

We meet to refocus!

We meet to confess our failures.

We meet to assess our spiritual vigor.

We meet to hold one another accountable.

We meet to remind ourselves of that which is good and holy!

We meet to be challenged to stay faithful and serve as a role model for the culture.

And if we're serious about our involvement, we are likely to be rewarded by the One Who forgives, cleanses and restores our souls!

It serves as a righting of that which is wrong! 

...a clarification of our intention.

...a renewal of determination.

...a reminder of decisions we've made.

...a sharing of responsibility for those who are part of our worshiping community.

...a statement of unity with a global community.

...a submission to divine Love

[This list could go on...]

We need this! We desperately need this! There are no 'lone rangers' in the Bible! Community is essential to maintaining commitment and promises! Wise men seek accountability; I suppose wise women do the same. 

Leaders and pastors who plan worship need to review this aspect of Sunday worship and be purposeful in structuring the time to accommodate these needs. 

The structure of our worship tends to prohibit engagement. We all sit facing the front. There are only a few people who could name everyone in the sanctuary. Most of our participation is a response to directions given from those on the platform. We may - or may not - connect with people before or after worship. 

In my last novel, Never Unreachable, a retired couple are invited to attend a 'house-church' that meets in a home. He immediately meets guys from the community that he knows from the hardware store, or school days, or the gas station. He loves the fact that food is always available and you can grab some when you want it. The atmosphere is casual. The leaders sit close - on the same level. New people are introduced and welcomed. There's ample time, before the structured time begins, for people to mingle, share stories, get acquainted and establish a comfort zone. He is surprised to find that he actually looks forward to Sundays!

I digress...

We need help to diffuse the pervasive impact of the ever-changing culture in our lives! 

Participating in worship can provide that help by reminding us of the standards that we revere and the fact that we are part of a community of faith that extends around the globe!

IT FEELS GOOD TO SET A BOUNDARY!

Several years ago, a new television show was put forward on ABC.  Because it seemed to have remote connections to the previous show, 24, (in particular the leading character is played by Kiefer Sutherland) we decided to give it a try.

For those who don't know, Designated Survivor was about the sudden, unexpected destruction of the US Congress during a State of the Union address.  An unlikely candidate, (Sutherland) is thrust into leadership of a nation without a Congress and in utter chaos and fear.

The portrayal of these events was realistic and effective.  It was a fantastically plausible plot that allowed for creative, fast-moving development.  To be short, we enjoyed the show and were quite surprised at the end of year two when ABC cancelled it.

However, there was clatter that Netflix might pick it up and produce a third season of ten episodes - which they did.  This third season aired on Netflix beginning June 7.  When we opened Netflix and saw it offered, we were excited and immediately watched episode one.

We were quickly shocked at the changes in language and the general tenor of the show.  Things were clearly "different" under this new guiding hand.  We immediately felt tenuous about this new, edgier presentation of the storyline.

The deterioration was similar to what we'd observed in other shows;  one example was Madam Secretary, which we quit watching after the second season.  In both shows the change was palpable. By this, I mean it was more 'in-your-face', shocking and seeming to embrace as many radical issues as they could squeeze into their available forty-five minutes.

Debbie's sensitivities are quicker than mine.  She decided after episode one that she would not watch anymore.  So, while she was with her mom, I watched the next couple of episodes alone.  All-the-while, I had a growing discomfort that this is not something I should be watching.

Last night, as I was watching, a scene came on that was so vile that I quickly grabbed for the remote to end the stream.  I sat in the silence shocked and disappointed.  I went to bed but couldn't sleep.  I quietly prayed.

I prayed for forgiveness for not picking up on the signs earlier.  I prayed for the producers who created this show.  I prayed for the actors and for our nation.  Then Debbie spoke in the darkness:  "Are you praying?"  My answer:  "Yes."  Her response:  "Good!  I could hear you whispering."  I'm so accustomed to my hearing disability that I tend to forget just how well she can hear!  :-)

I continued to pray until I eventually fell asleep.

This morning I rose and immediately went to my study to read and pray.  Among my sections for today I read the second chapter of Titus (from The Voice Bible).  It includes the following passage (verse 12):

Grace arrives with its own instruction:  run away from anything that leads us away from God;  abandon the lusts and passions of this world;  live life now in this age with awareness and self-control, doing the right thing and keeping yourselves holy.   

It solidified my decision and reinforced my commitment to be on guard for those things and experiences that lead me away from God!

I have drawn a boundary for myself!  It feels good to have done so!

I want to be a good man.  I want to be a godly man!  This is not an easy thing to accomplish in the current age with so many diversions and distractions.

I began driving for Lyft back around Christmas time.  My pattern has been to leave early to catch the morning demand for rides.  I tend to leave anytime between 5:00 AM to 6:30 AM and often drive until late morning.  I've had good intentions to return home and have my Bible and prayer time.  However, there are so many things to do when I get back!  You guessed it.  My well-established disciplines have been decimated.

That is - until this week.  God's voice finally got through to me and I reestablished my priorities - something that we all need to do periodically.  This week, I've returned to rising early and heading straight for my study.  On day one, the restoration of joy in God's Word was immediate!  The channels were clear as I heard His voice and experienced communion with my God!

A peace and sense of balance has quickly been restored.  I am grateful.

Perhaps your time with God has been compromised.  Maybe you need to reevaluate.

Acts 3:19 says, (again from The Voice Bible):

So now you need to rethink everything and turn to God so your sins will be forgiven and a new day can dawn, days of refreshing times flowing from the Lord. 

 You may discover - as I have - how good it is to have this primary relationship restored!

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT CHURCH

Having been a pastor for over forty years, I suppose I will have a different take on this topic than most.  I've read hundreds of books suggesting how churches should operate and how worship should be structured.  For many years I had the opportunity to shape these things and did so with passion and creativity.

In my humble opinion, the biggest change we've seen in the church over the past several decades has been the transition to the performance approach to worship.  The greatest impact of this change has been the reduction of congregational participation.  Sanctuaries have been darkened to focus attention on what takes place up front.  At the same time the experience of congregants sitting together and participating in worship has been minimized (in some cases we can't even see each other once the lights go out).  

The impact of these changes is immense.  Our experience of worship has become one of tunnel-vision.  It's as though we were sitting alone experiencing the message and performance being cast for us.  The sense of being together and experiencing worship as a community has been reduced.  When the lights are brought up again, we are shuffled out rather quickly so that the next group can be herded in to experience the same program we just witnessed.  

The lingering and talking about what we just heard and experienced is decreased or eliminated.  It's easy to get the feeling that we've met our obligation for the week.  "See you next Sunday or Saturday, (whatever your name is)."  

Yet, churches that follow these practices have grown (are growing)!  Some would hold that these churches are satisfying the desires of the culture.  It's hard to argue with success.  

But, not all growing or healthy (are they the same?) churches follow these trends.  I've attended a Presbyterian Church in my community where the sanctuary is completely full every week.  The parking lot overflows across the road from the building.  The worship format is very traditional.  The sanctuary is well lighted.  A wide variety of ages are present.  A liturgical format is followed.  It is a prime example of a healthy, vibrant, country church!  

The church I presently attend is led in worship by a team of twelve musicians including drums, flute, piano, sax, trombone, bass, acoustic guitars and several singers.  Worship is vibrant in a well-lighted sanctuary.  I would guestimate that attendance averages slightly under 200.  The pastor is very laid-back and casual;  he uses humor in his communications and is valued by the congregation.  

It seems to me that our worship experience should draw us together and cause us to interact with one another.  In the church I just mentioned, the pastor will frequently call us to pray for a person over a specific need (sometimes several people).  He calls us to come forward and lay hands on the person.  Ninty percent of the congregation moves forward filling the aisles and the front of the church!  Each one lays a hand on the shoulder of the person before them.  The community expresses its concern and love for the person(s),  It's a beautiful thing to observe.  

I was on staff at a large church in Akron, Ohio for about six years.  At that time, this congregation had an altar prayer time where people flooded forward to pray.  Others came to pray with friends or family.  The front of the sanctuary was literally clogged with people on their knees!  New people were deeply impressed in seeing this response and often came to staff with questions about it.  It was dynamic!  

In Nehemiah 8, we are told that Ezra read the Word of God from an elevated pulpit (so that he could be seen and heard). 

• When he read it, all the people stood up.
• Then Ezra blessed the people, and they all said "Amen"
• Then all the people worshipped God with their heads bowed and their faces to the ground.
• As the Word was read and explained, the people wept.
• After the worship time, the people all went to celebrate together with food and drink.  
• They sent portions of their feast to the needy in their community.  

It was a community experience!  They were celebrating the goodness of their God!  

This leads me to one other point.  I have been repeatedly disappointed that major news concerns are consistently ignored in our churches.   We watch our news channels throughout the week and talk about our concerns among our families and co-workers;  but when we go to worship on Sunday, these things are not addressed.  

On a recent Sunday, a synagogue shooting (on Saturday) in nearby Pittsburgh left eleven Jewish people dead.  The next day saw Christians gathering for their appointed times of worship.   You evaluate your own congregation:  was there public prayer for this atrocity that had occurred just sixty miles away?  A religious service was invaded by a violent man with a weapon of destruction!  Lives were violently taken!  Were you given assurance that you were being protected while you worshipped?  

My guess is that in most churches the incident was completely ignored.   (I hope I'm wrong!)

I do pray about these things privately (and occasionally with Debbie).  I'm sure many others do too!  I have an expectation that my church family lift these concerns to God, as well.

I want to be led in prayer about these things.  I want to pray - in community - for my president and leaders.  I expect us to be corporately concerned about the impact of hurricanes, wild fires, shootings, caravans and elections!  When it doesn't happen, I'm frankly disappointed!  

We do not exist in a vacuum.  Our prayers make a difference - especially when we pray them in agreement!  

I'M A FACEBOOKER

Why bother?

Facebook is just a fad.  Newer media like Twitter are already competing.  Who wants to be bothered with the personal trivia offered on a daily basis?

Why should a leader be interested in social media?

Consider:

• It took radio 38 years to reach 50 million users.
• Television took 13 years to reach 50 million viewers.
• It took 4 years for the internet to reach 50 million users.
• In 3 years, the iPod reached 50 million users.
• Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months!

If Facebook were a country, it would be the world's fourth-largest.

One in eight couples who married last year met online.

Wikipedia has over 13 million articles.  78% of them are non-English!

Why should a leader be interested in social media?  If for no other reason, we should care because most everyone else does.

I'm a Facebooker!  I show up every day to leave positive remarks and to lighten people's day.  I try to regularly comment on other's pages and comments.  I shine the light on my Savior!  I share meaningful quotes - especially from Scripture!  I do what I can to reframe people's day.  I deliberately avoid making negative posts. 

In other words - I minister!  I sincerely  believe if Jesus was here, He'd be a Facebooker too!  And I'd be His friend!


[Statistics borrowed from an article by J. D. Walt, Vice President for Community Life, Asbury Seminary]