Churches are in trouble. Many established churches are either conceding to pragmatism or imploding in leadership. Some in the emergent camp have responded in frustration by distancing themselves from the church calling themselves a movement with a “conversation”. Although there is a wide variety of views in the emergent camp, what those involved in the conversation mostly agree on is their disillusionment with the organized and institutional church and their support for the deconstruction of modern Christian worship, evangelism, and community. In my area of San Jose, there are at the most 4 churches that would see the Scripture as inspired by God, Christ as divine and salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Oh and by the way, there are 110,000 people in our area of San Jose. Four small churches aren’t going to cut it.
So what should we do? What should I be doing as a pastor? Those stats and conditions paint a dire picture. What I need is a beautiful picture. I need a renewed vision for what the church should and can be.
“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths’. For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)
When Isaiah wrote, the people of God were stuck in religion mode. They did their sacrifices, but it was divorced from love and devotion. They called themselves holy but were filled with iniquity. It got so bad that God called his “faithful city” a “whore”. The church can be very similar. Christians attending but with no devotion. Duplicity, hypocrisy and spiritual adultery by Christ’s bride. But Yahweh did not abandon His people and Christ does not divorce His beloved.
So here are some truths to believe on and hope in from Isaiah 2:2-3
- The church becomes established and elevated. It is seen and valued as the highest of institutions, lifted up above all the other hills of government, business and entertainment, etc. I’m not promoting a theocracy. What I am seeing is people valuing the church above all other things that compete for their time and attention. (Eph. 5:27)
- All the nations will flow to it. The church attracts people from every tribe, language, and nation. Men and women from different ethnicities, ages and economic backgrounds come together around the single unifying element – Jesus and His gospel. (Rev. 5:9-10)
- People are eager to come, learn and change. People desire corporate worship and to be among Christians. They want to learn the Word of God because it is attractively lived out before them by Christ’s people. And ultimately, the goal of learning is spiritual formation – change. No one comes to learn simply to acquire knowledge. No. They come to be transformed into image bearers of God himself. Learning to do good. Seeking justice. Correcting oppression. Bring justice to the fatherless and plead the widow’s cause (Isa. 1:16; Romans 12:1-2)
- The church is primarily about Jesus and His gospel. The Law was proclaimed at the temple in Jerusalem. Today, the gospel is proclaimed from the church in our city. The gospel is preached and proclaimed because it is the power of God unto salvation and though it men and women are saved and sanctified. Nothing less will do. (Rom. 1:16)
May God engrain this vision upon my mind and yours. May He grant faith to believe in its fulfillment. May He grant grace to labor for it.
Good Word, Christian. Onward!