How often does anything miraculous happen at your church?
Has any hardhearted individual chosen to follow Christ recently? Has a dormant ministry suddenly turned around? Has a terminally ill individual been gloriously healed?
After I wrote my last article on the Holy Spirit, it struck me later that night: too many churches give little evidence that God is alive and working supernaturally in their midst.
Consider the following examples:
*Intead of trusting in the power of God’s Word, pastors use Scripture as a springboard to what they really wanted to say.
*Instead of spending a few quality minutes speaking with God in prayer, pastors sprint through their public prayers.
*Instead of holding prayer meetings during the week, church leaders hold strategy sessions – and hardly pray at all.
*Instead of trusting Christians to invite people via word of mouth, church leaders rely on marketing and social networking to tell people about Jesus and their church.
*Instead of being faithful to the gospel message, some church leaders believe they need to reinvent the gospel “to reach more people.”
*Instead of acknowledging the existence and cunning of Satan, church leaders ignore the fact we’re in a spiritual battle.
*Instead of submitting themselves to the control of God’s Spirit, church leaders trust their own education, experience, and energy.
Friends, we can’t superimpose an American business model onto our churches and expect to see God working miracles in our midst – but that’s just what many church leaders are doing today.
I read a blog the other night that disturbed me. The writer was an ex-pastor’s wife and a former Christian. She no longer believes in Jesus, His church, or His leaders. While commenting on the state of the American church, she noted that many top pastors could run any kind of organization and make it go. They’re CEOs by nature, and they run their churches that way. And by American standards, they’re successful.
Of course, try asking that same pastor if he’ll stand by the death bed of your loved one.
But how often does God work in our churches without the pastor planning, prodding, pushing, and plotting?
I’m a non-charismatic. I seek the biblical charisma without charismania. I don’t like fleshly attempts to whip a congregation into a frenzy so we can claim that God is in our midst.
But I long to see God show up in a service or in a meeting without our efforts to manage Him. And when He doesn’t show up for weeks or months, what are we to conclude?
That He doesn’t exist? Or that we’re doing something wrong?
When I attend a worship service, I want three things to happen:
First, I want to sense the presence of God. I want to know that God is here, right now.
Second, I want to hear God’s Word taught clearly, courageously, and passionately.
Finally, I want the Lord to move my heart and soul. I seek His touch in my life.
A few weeks ago, my wife and I attended a service at Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills in Orange County where my long-time friend Dave is the pastor.
The worship leaders and band truly led us into the presence of God.
Dave spoke for an hour from Revelation 22 and it seemed like just a few minutes. He had taught through the entire Bible in nine years and had one Sunday to go!
And I was deeply, deeply moved by the entire service.
I’ve been to larger churches. I’ve been to smaller churches. But I haven’t been to better churches – and I can’t wait to go back sometime soon.
What happens in your church for which God is the only explanation?
Dr. Luke writes in Acts 9:31: “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”
May His touch be upon you this weekend and always.
We launched a new ministry called “Dare to Care” this past week after many months of planning. God has been in it from the start. This past Wed., the director who works under Ross’ leadership had a serious spiritual battle involving her young adult son. It almost prevented her from being at the first launch night. She fought back and went forward. Her son ended up in Ross’ office where he led him to the Lord. Awhile later, the Dare to Care team formed a circle around him and prayed blessing upon him. Two others have accepted Christ in the past week.
The Lord interrupted our life two years ago. We are thankful He did! It meant taking another risk fairly soon after the previous disaster, but had we shrunk back, we wouldn’t be seeing God work like we are now. There are some churches, while definitely flawed, do “get it” and they are allowing God to mess things up. We are glad to be part of one! Pastors and committed laypeople can work together to fulfill God’s purposes. Time is short and we all need to smarten up and get busy doing His work!
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Bev, that’s wonderful about the new ministry in your church! I believe that God is working in miraculous ways in many churches, but there are too many churches where the ministry is being done by the flesh, not the Spirit. I’m glad you’re in a church where God is actively working! Surrey is a great place. Hope Ross is feeling better!
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Today at church it was wonderful to feel the Holy Spirit at work in the church and the people. The church was concerned for the people and their needs. Even though we visit a lot of churches right now it was refreshing to know the pastor, music team and people were there for the right reason and truly cared. I was moved! I pray for this in all churches that people’s lives would be changed for His glory.
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Sister Kim, I am in agreement with you! While it should be normal to sense God’s presence in a church, that isn’t always the case. As Revelation 3:20 indicates, sometimes Jesus seeks admission to His own church!
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