Dismal Report Card

So, what is the purpose of the church? The Bible says that it is to glorify God. Ephesians 3:10-11 says “(God’s) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And concerning those who call themselves “Christian”, Peter writes, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). And the church glorifies God the same way that Christ glorified the Father, by fulfilling the mission that was given to Him (John 17:4). The mission of the church was given at Christ’s ascension, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20). And the manner in which the church is to complete her mission is found in the Great Commandment, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:37-40).

OK, so much for ecclesiological review. Truth is that many who just read that paragraph where bored stiff. Some probably said, “Yeah, we already know that. So what?” But do we really know that? Do we know that at the level of it forming our ministries? Does any of that doctrine actually come into reality when we look at the organizations that we have created and called “church”? If we’re honest for even a moment, I think we have to confess that we have built something very different from what the Lord intended. And then we encourage everyone within the abomination, telling them that the Lord will surely protect His church.

Is that too harsh? Maybe a little. Let’s just call it hyperbole, exaggeration to make a point. But the reality is that most church leaders are more concerned with keeping the congregation placated by giving them what they want regardless of whether it is what they need. After all, if the people don’t feel good, the money will stop flowing. And most church staff is more interested in making sure the payroll is made than in actually being faithful to the Lord’s high calling. (Now, that’s harsh!)

So, how is your church doing? I have consulted to dozens of churches regarding these things and I’ll tell you that you can tell a lot about how you’re doing just by looking at your budget. Does the lion’s share of your money go toward fulfilling the mission of the church to reach those who don’t know the Lord and to making them, not just converts, but disciples? But money is not the only measure (though it’s a good one). How about your systems? Are you seeing human resources also dedicated to reaching the lost and helping them to grow into faithful followers of Jesus? Are you seeing life transformation as the Spirit of God works through the gospel, freeing captives from the clutches of sin and Satan?

Face it. We forget the reason we exist as a church. We are arrogant enough to believe that “church” is for us, not for Him. We even believe that He exists for us rather than vice versa. And isn’t that the argument of the atheists, that we have created God? Perhaps there’s more truth in that than we care to admit. Doesn’t Scripture repeatedly remind us of the human tendency to do exactly that? Paul describes our sinful nature all too well, writing,

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-- His eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Romans 1:18-25

Oh, did you think that passage referred only to “those filthy nasty homosexuals”? Sorry to burst your bubble. It describes all of humanity. Yep, you and me and everyone you know. Paul uses the specific example of sexual impurity to tell us all who we are in our corrupted essence. But the Lord is longsuffering and He says, “Repent and return to Me and I will wash you clean as snow.” And if you think that none of this applies to you because it’s the responsibility of “leadership” to set the course for church faithfulness, I can’t find that “out” in the Word. Repent and rise up into faithfulness, before it’s too late. Trust in the Lord and act in faith. Today would be about right…..