There are countless churches all across America (and the world) that do wonderful things! They help the needy and better the communities where they are. Quite literally, these churches are oasis of goodness in an otherwise horrible world. I grew up in church. From the time I was 6 years old, I attended church regularly. So I know and love God's church.
However SOME Christian churches exist that seem to be operating for the wrong reasons, have misguided motives, or are just plain bad.
What can we do about these churches? The condition of many churches these days provides some cause for concern. Frankly, among these problem churches there needs to be a new reformation. One that refocuses the entire church back on its true purpose. There are a number of "problems" facing far too many Christian churches today.
1. Emphasis on entertainment.
Many churches these days think that they need to emulate the world. This is seen most clearly in the realm of music. Church music is supposed to be for one purpose ONLY. That is to praise God. So many churches today think that they need to "modernize" or "contemporize" the service. They think this will automatically entice thousands of people to flood into the church just to see the awesome entertainment package offered. In other words: Entertain 'em, and they will attend. The job of the church is not to entertain. It is to provide the gospel to a dying world.
2. Emphasis on money.
Many churches quickly realize that there is a powerful impulse found in the heart of each enthusiastic believer: The desire to give "tithes" and offerings to the church. Once the church leadership realizes this dollar signs appear in the eyes and the juices of greed and desire for status begin flowing. Any money raised for the church should be used to keep the church going to a reasonable level. No one should be getting wealthy. Any extra monies acquired should be used for benevolence.
3. Emphasis on building.
Many churches fall victim to the age old desire for empire. Instead of desiring to further the kingdom of God, they decide to try to build the "biggest church ever". No building should occur for the sake of building. All building projects should be strictly required by necessity.
4. Emphasis on "happiness".
Many churches today water down the gospel in order to create a kind of "feel-good-ism". They peddle this pablum to weak-willed new Christians, or to unconverted pretend Christians. Sorry to burst your bubble child of God, but you have just taken sides in a terrible war already in progress. I'd love to sugar-coat this, but I can't. We are in a life or death battle for the hearts and minds of our entire human community. The ugly truth is that it isn't going to always be brandy and bon bons. If you aren't getting wounded from time to time, you aren't in the fray. Here is a football analogy: The guy who rides the bench all year long might look at you and say "Football is easy." But the other guy over there covered in mud and blood, with an ice-pack on his knee, who has been out on the field in the thick of it all season might disagree. But guess which one will get the glory. It sure isn't the guy in the clean starched uniform. Christian, if you are in the fray, you are taking your lumps, and feeling your share of pain. Friends, Chrisitianity is a war! As Christians we live in the middle of the war-zone. Churches should be more like spiritual boot-camp, not a self-centered pleasure cruise.
5. Emphasis on status.
Many churches look too closely at "who" you are, rather than "whose" you are. If you dressed to the nines, and are well-connected these misguided churches will roll out the red carpet for you. If you are a working schmoe with nothing to offer but a good spirit and sincere desire to join a group of believers, some churches will all but tell you "move along". What a shame.
6. Emphasis on fame.
Many pastors today think success equals fame (and vice-versa). Nothing could be further from the truth. Unless you become famous for being humble, pious, and devoted to Christ, a pastor has no business with self-promotion. If you raise money from book sales, movies, or anything else, you should put that all back into church, and or use it for the furtherance of God's work. The only person who should be famous at your church is Jesus Christ, and him only!
Essentially a church is an extension of its pastor. As the pastor goes, so goes the church. He is the spiritual leader of the church and should be subject only to the will and leadings of God, not man. He is the direct servant of Christ on Earth, charged with the solemn task of edifying believers, converting the unsaved, ministering to the needy, and providing the world with an Earthly example of God's kingdom in action.
If you belong to a church that is suffering some (or all) of these probelems, try to encourage a movement back to the true purpose of church. Be the catalyst for positive change. Never be rude or disrespectful. But let's try to return to the vision that Paul had of church. It is, after all, literally, the bride of Christ.
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