Is Something Happening in Your Church?
by Chaplain Jim Robinson
So many of the so-called main line denominational churches are irrelevant (as Christian institutions) because long ago they dropped the Bible as the inspired and trustworthy message of God. Their seminaries, training men to be pastors, quit teaching the Bible as the revealed Word of God. Some of these churches continue to bear some semblance to a real church simply through momentum of the past but it is more symbolic than real.
In many of the churches that would describe themselves as Bible believing there is turmoil and change. The primary reason for this, in my opinion, is that while lip service is given to the authority of Scripture, the Scripture is not internalized so as to motivate and direct the decisions and actions of everyday living.
Even in many of the churches that we would see as Bible believing one or more of the following is taking place:
Christians used to adhere to some standards but currently to mention immorality, gambling, drinking, or smoking in an unfavorable way will almost certainly cause you to be accused of legalism. Even abortion (the murder of the most innocent) while seen as theoretically wrong, most churches, most pastors take no strong stand against it because "It would be controversial" or "It would offend and keep us from reaching people for Christ." Which christ??
I am familiar with a church that recently spent thousands of dollars to diagnose its own ills. The application of Scripture to the problems they faced would have brought enlightenment and the insight to resolve the problems. More importantly, consistent application of Biblical teaching would have prevented the problems. Think of the blessing these thousands of dollars could have been if given to missions both home and abroad.
One very discouraged pastor told me he had pastored a small church for five years. He thought things were going well. He was informed by the chairman of the church board on Sunday morning, just before the service, that they were having a guest speaker and the pastor wouldn't be preaching. Almost as an after thought he told the pastor, "We won't need you to preach anymore in the future either." Do you think the church was handling things in a Biblical manner? Surveys done by Focus on the Family indicate that 80% of pastors and 84% of their spouses are discouraged or are dealing with depression.
There is hope! I have been following Christ for 50 years. 1998 was my 50th spiritual birthday and also marks my 40th anniversary in Christian ministry. He is utterly faithful. I am more convinced than ever (if that's possible!)
His promises in Scripture are totally trustworthy.
He calls us to a standard of holy living and will empower us to so live.
He can take the most common, ordinary person and through His love, His gifting, and His anointing, transform that individual into a holy follower who can fulfill everything and anything God calls him to.
If we want to do His will He will teach us to apply His Word to the circumstances of our lives so that we can walk the Jesus walk and please Him by our lives and that He will use us to teach others to do the same.
I began this little article to tell you why Buffalo Ridge is needed. I believe it is a place to touch the lives of Christian leaders with understanding, rest and encouragement. I believe Buffalo Ridge provides an entree to minister to a significant number of them. Can you, too, envision that?
Please feel free to contact us if you are facing such problems and are not certain how they should be handled. We would be glad to talk and pray with you.
Will you help us by supporting us in prayer and providing the necessary finances? Please feel free to phone me if you would like to discuss this possibility.