Where Are We?

According to some recent polling data, 67% of Americans say that religion is losing its influence on American life. Does that statistic bother you? While I'm at it let me share this little nugget of information: North America is the only continent where Christianity is not growing. Surprised?

As a pastor I could list several contributing factors to these numbers but I will focus only on one. It's my belief that too many churches are more concerned with being showboats instead of lifeboats. We put way too much emphasis on how we look and sound rather than who we are reaching.

I read a book several years ago titled "Building An Evangelistic Church" by Paul Powell. Read with me some of the statements from the preface of his book:
"In God's work, there is no place for sitting down and going backward...David Livingston said, 'I'm ready to go anywhere so long as it's forward.'...Today, God's people need to be challenged to go forward. In spite of the enemies behind us and the obstacles before us...We simply cannot accomplish this with a maintenance mentality. The local church deserves our highest and best energies, for the church is the means through which God has chosen to do His work in the world. But how do we build a great evangelistic church? There are no easy answers, no quick fixes..."

I cannot agree more! Far too long the church as a whole has enjoyed the comfort of living in a nation where there is no persecution. This comfort has led us to think only of ourselves rather than those who are headed for a devil's hell. Let's face it: Too many churches care more about building, buses, and budgets to concern themselves with the eternal destination of the lost. We think that if they want Jesus that they will come to us! May God help us to change this mentality.

Vance Havner said, "The tragedy of our times is that the situation is desperate but the saints are not." Don't you think that if the saints were as desperate as the situation that something might happen? Believers we must make every person our mission. They need Jesus - they must be saved - we must share.

If there is one thing that I'm sure of it is this: Every human being can know Jesus. Romans 10:13, "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Does that mean your neighbor down the street, the person in the cubicle beside yours, the young lady behind the McDonald's counter, etc.? ABSOLUTELY! They just need somebody (anybody) to tell them what Jesus' death on the cross means for them.

Are we settling for less that what the Lord would settle for? Sadly, many churches are half empty yet fully satisfied. Powell goes on to say that, "Vacant pews do not recommend Him (Jesus) to an indifferent, preoccupied world. A full house, however, tells a different story. If God's people would show up, churches would fill up, and the world would sit up and take notice...Our mission is clear. We must go with the conviction that all things are ready; all people are welcome; and all excuses are empty."

What can you do to affect the lostness around you? Pray for opportunities to witness, Pray for the courage to witness, and Pray for clarity in witnessing. After you do that - WITNESS!!!

I remember a story about Frank Pollard who went to visit a woman's lost husband. At first the husband showed no interest in spiritual matters. But, as Frank continued to share the Gospel and read scripture, the man's demeanor changed. He eventually asked Frank, "Isn't there something in there about a book and a man's name being written in it?" Frank said, "Yes, there is." and quickly turned to Revelation 20:15 which says, "And whosever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." The man rose from his chair, leaned across the table, looked Frank in the eye, and said, "Preacher, I want my name in that book!"

I wonder how many people around us want their name in that book? Could you help? If we want to change the statistics we looked at early...if we want to see faith once again shape the American way of life...if we want to see genuine faith in Christ begin to spread in North America...WE MUST WITNESS to those around us.