Is Your Church Failing?
An Honest Look
Our nation’s current state is evidence of the failing church and the lack of Christian influence in our
culture. Church leaders and pastors prop-up weak churches with secular events and activities and by
tolerating all types of sin in the name of Jesus. Some pastors go as far as to dismiss Jesus’ instruction to
obey God’s commandments. The church, in general, is misleading its members. Is your church true to
Jesus and his teachings? It is time for an honest evaluation.
Making Disciples is the Church Mission
According to Jesus, the primary work of the church is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-
20). Unfortunately, many churches have settled for a “soft” Christianity that appeases the world by
helping believers “feel good” at the expense of transforming them into true disciples of Christ.
Churchgoers may not be True Disciples
What is true discipleship? Jesus said followers who adhere to his teaching are truly disciples (John 8:31). Jesus never taught his followers that the road to God’s Kingdom was easy. He never said that his disciples would be fed feel-good propaganda or that most people would accompany us along the route. He said that every day would have adversity and challenges along with joy and blessing. He made it clear about our mission and the cost of true discipleship. He never dismissed the commandments of God but reminded us that we are to follow them. What does your church teach about discipleship? Does your church make discipleship a priority? A disciple submits to his teacher and learns directly from his teacher putting into practice his teacher’s words and imitating his teacher’s life. Then the disciple, with the Holy Spirit’s help, passes the learning and spiritual growth along to others in his words, actions, and witness. Christians should be disciples of Jesus first, and then, the church would be made up of disciples learning, worshipping, and working together and sharing and helping each other. Is your church made up of disciples who strive to live out Jesus’ teachings every day or regular churchgoers who get together for potlucks and budget meetings and Easter egg hunts? Jesus made training his disciples a priority and the training program was not focused on comfort, pleasure, or technology. How does your church train and equip disciples of Jesus to impact a broken world?
Following Jesus Requires Dedication and God's Help
A life modeled after Jesus is a lifetime calling that requires effort and dedication. Bible study and prayer are effective ways to learn from Jesus’ words and to imitate his life. Outreach and fellowship are ways to pass along the learning to others through various ministries like teaching, tithing, hospitality, sharing, and witness. Jesus showed us how to start—first through devotion to scripture and prayer and then by meeting the needs of hurting and desperate people. Disciples are called to respond to the needs of others with love and compassion and in truth. Helping to alleviate suffering, comforting the grieving, feeding the hungry, providing meaningful work for families, visiting the sick and lonely, forgiving quickly even when we are persecuted, and helping addicts, abusers and victims find forgiveness and restoration are just some of the ways to meet real needs. Praying for others is also an important form of outreach in keeping with Jesus’ example. Jesus, the suffering servant, made helping people a cornerstone of his outreach ministry. Does your church meet the needs of people on a regular basis, or does it concentrate on entertaining the members? Does your pastor speak God’s truth in love or tell you what you want to hear? Are the ministries in your church focused on making disciples as the means of transforming the world around you?
Called but not Chosen
Jesus made it clear that not everyone who is called will be chosen (Matthew 22:14). In our current “feel good first” church environment, this is difficult to process. How could a loving God not choose every person on earth? We want to believe that God’s grace, because of his great love for us, will excuse our lack of commitment to true discipleship. However, Jesus sets this selfish view right. In the parable that proceeds this controversial statement, Jesus tells us that the gospel is offered to all people and most reject it. His summary statement about being called but not chosen reminds us that it is not a small thing to refuse the call of God through his Word and through the life and death of Jesus. If you believe in Jesus and the salvation of his cross, then you have answered the call. But does your life demonstrate that you have responded to God’s call? Here is the good news of the gospel: if we respond to the call with repentance and faith, dedicated and submitted to Jesus, God works in our lives to transform us into true disciples of Jesus, and he has secured our eternal future. True followers of Jesus impact the world around them in miraculous ways, but unrepentant churchgoers who lack discipleship....not so much. If your church does not work passionately to make true disciples of Jesus, become an agent of change in your community or find a church that lives out this mission. Ask God to fill you with the courage, wisdom, and grace to follow Christ no matter the cost and then, to lead others to true discipleship. Confused about how to start? Return to God and he will lead the way.