As a minister, church planter, and student of God's Word, I am alarmed by the increasing trend I am seeing inside of ministries and churches. It seems that so many Christians have lost their way, and are now huddling around "good ideas," rather than biblical principals. Tragically, these Christians are not become lost due to cultural change or personal rebellion, but rather because their shepherd/pastor is lost as well.I could spend a moment or two and expound on several reasons for this loss of identity, and I could spend even longer on citing examples of "good," but "non-Christian" behavior; but, I believe that to be unnecessary. I have concluded the best way to address this sin inside the church is to propose the following question:
Pastors and Christians, why do you do what you do? Is it because:
a - you like the experience?
b - you love Lost people?
or, c - you solely love Jesus?
While "a" might seem superficial and impossible a reason on the surface, I believe that if a person would answer honestly, this would be his/her true cause for behavior. They simply love the opportunity to be before others as judge or servant. All that matters is that the limelight is on them, and the reward is an emotional and psychological high.
At the same time, there is a new crop of ministers and missional congregationalists who would respond emphatically to answer "b." And while this may seem like a truly biblical and Christian response, nothing could be further from the truth! If the primary reason for witnessing, church planting, evangelism, etc. is because the individual loves the "unsaved," then it stands to reason that the minister will kowtow and long for the sole response/approval of the "unsaved." It is no wonder why so many Christians refuse to invite their friends to church, and why ministers refuse to preach against sin and sinful living. For to do so would offend the objects of their love (their reason for being), the unsaved. So, rather than offend the Lost, they offend the Lord...
As you can see, the only reason any of us have for living, ministering, or being is answer "c." It is He who has given us life and purpose, and it is for Him and through Him that all ministry must take place. This does not mean that it is wrong for the minister to enjoy the effects of ministry, or that it is wrong to be concerned for the response of the unsaved; however, at the end of the day, it must be all about Jesus because Jesus alone is our Life and God.
May God restore the church, so that the church may glorify God alone.
Colossians 1:15-20:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
