The church is not in any trouble...

Recently heard a leading church wonk say the church is "decimated" in Europe. Heard another well-known pastor say the American church is just 20 years away from disappearing if we don't do something about it.

Just wanted to say that Jesus made it clear there's a supernatural assurance of the church's survivability. Anybody remember "I will build my church..."? It's not going anywhere. I don't think we're seeing the "decimation" and "disappearance" of authentic faith communities. I think we're seeing the end of religion under the Christian label.

The movement of Christianity is never more authentic and powerful than when its pounded into obscurity by persecution and oppression. The end of outward, consumeristic Christianity is always the beginning of a stealth-like, underground band of believers who are willing to die for their faith. One day, we'll be surprised at what was genuine and what was artificial in the church.

Revelation 21-22 gives us the actual size dimensions of Heaven: 1,400 miles cubed. That's Denver to NYC by Canada to Florida. That's just not that big. What a sobering reality check on the authenticity of faith in the church throughout the ages.

Comments

[jay hardwick]

STRONG words...and you could not be more right.

we are foolish when we say the church is decimated and disappearing. sure, we may be a generation away from not seeing churches like we have now, but that doesn't mean THE church is dying or disappearing.

great word, ben. great word.

[Abby]

Wow! So powerful...

[Bill Reichart]

Ben,

A couple of thoughts..

First, the kind of language that asserts that the church won't survive and disappear in 20 is meant to merely stir emotion. It leaves people merely "alarmed" and only causes us to become reactionary to the culture around us.

Second, you are correct, the church isn't going to disappear, but Christendom is. Christendom and the church are not the same. Christendom is the place and position of privilege that the church has enjoyed for hundreds of years - particularly in the West.
I agree with you Ben that the loss of that privilege will refine the church of it's idols.

[Pete Wilson]

Well put Ben. Your right on the mark bro. Thanks for letting God use you.