The survival of the church

The church is Christ’s special agency on earth to help Christians reach their spiritual objective – namely, to live by faith in the Son of God. The resources are there, the Spirit is there, and the Lord himself rules over his people and blesses them with the treasures of Heaven. If you take advantage of this situation, you will come to church to learn to live with God, to crucify your sins, and cut your ties with the world. These are measurable objectives in a Christian’s life, and the church is designed to help you.
Unfortunately not all churches understand the Mission. Even the leaders will change the functions of the church to cater to people’s whims and fancies. Instead of sinners working on their problems, many people are in church to be entertained and do their “religious duty” on Sunday. They have no intention of working on their hearts. Try being specific sometime about what they intend to do about their sin and you will see what I mean! That’s just getting too personal for most people; you will have war on your hands if you go there.
The church is supposed to be a spiritual hospital; as soon as we come inside, we are announcing to everyone that we are in need and we’ve come for help. Jesus said as much.

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mark 2:17)

At no time is this more needed than in times of disaster. Then you will find people waking up to the reality of their spiritual state – their great need of God, and the sin that is dragging them down with the world as it collapses under the judgment of God. The church in such times becomes a beacon, a fortress on the hill, a place of refuge for those seeking real help.
Just as individuals must train for times of disaster, so the church also must train and be ready. How are we going to change our churches from their present state to the “church militant?” Churches must wake up and change from being entertainment centers to training centers. If they refuse to do this, people in great spiritual need will turn away from such “blind guides” in disgust and look for real help elsewhere.
Training is the responsibility of the leaders. I’m sure that it’s fear that keeps them from doing so. They are afraid that if they get tough and lead the people into discipline, they will lose a lot of the membership. Well, you’ve no doubt heard the saying that parents who indulge the whims of their children will get no respect from their children. The disciplinarians are respected and loved as leaders – those who can lead the members through hard times also. It takes wisdom to do that; any fool can be the Emcee at a party.
The leaders will need a special faith of their own to implement spiritual training programs in the church. Their faith enables them to minister to the sheep without regard to reputation or reward or man’s approval. They aren’t trying to “tickle the ears” of their hearers, but to lead them into life.

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve. (1 Peter 5:2)

A church that is ready for whatever the future brings (and since we live in a dark world, it’s guaranteed that it will include hard times) will have training and resources available to address the needs that people will have. It will be an efficient training center; the leaders will know how to direct people to God, and show them how to live by faith in God’s spiritual world. The ministry will be efficient in isolating and dealing conclusively with sin. The church will be a great help in helping people sever their ties to the world, and welding them into God’s family.