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Church attendance figures across our nation continue to decline. Roughly 17-20% of Americans attend a Christian church on a given Sunday. Only 23-25% attend a church service 3 out of every 8 Sundays.¹
Churches are struggling to maintain their relevancy in a fast-paced culture. With the world at our finger-tips and our schedules full, church is pushed to the fringes of many people’s to-do list. We live in a highly consumer-driven culture which esteems entertainment. Many churches have changed in the last 20 years to consumer-driven models that focus on offering services. Church worship has turned into performance concerts aimed at appealing to the masses. Sermons have shifted from explanations of Biblical truth to relevant messages that touch peoples heart and lives.
These cultural changes should cause us all to ask the question – “Is the church still relevant?” I encourage people to be the church we read about in the Bible and practice the Apostle’s doctrine (Acts 2:42). Is this message still relevant? Or should the church change to please the culture and make worship about its entertainment value?
Here are my thoughts . . . .
The church is still relevant if . . . .
- People are still lost in their sins (Rom. 3:23).
- The eternal plan of God is still in effect (Eph. 3:10-11).
- The poor, the sick, and the bereaved need ministered too (James 1:27, Gal. 2:10).
- God desires and deserves worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24).
- Christ needs a body on earth to do His work (Eph. 1:22-23, 4:13-16).
- Christians need to be edified and encouraged (1 Cor. 11:26).
- The gospel needs to be preached to the whole world (Mat. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).
- Children need to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4).
- Sheep need a Flock to belong too and Shepherds to watch over their souls (1 Peter 5:1-5).
- Christ died to purchase it (Acts 20:28).
- Marriage is still based of the relationship of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:22-33).
- Satan is prowling about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).
- Hell is the eternal destiny for all those who reject the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-10).
- Christ is the Savior of his body the church (Eph. 5:23).
- A world filled with darkness needs salt and light displayed to it (Mat. 5:13-16).
- The corrupt world needs holy lives displayed which model their Heavenly Father (1 Pet. 1:16, 2:9)
- Heaven is the ultimate home of the church (1 Cor. 15:24; Rev. 7 & 19; Heb. 11:13-16).
Yes! The church is relevant! It will always be relevant as long as this world exists. The gates of hades will not prevail against it (Mat. 16:18).
The problem is not the relevance of the church. The problem is with us! We as a society are failing to see the great need we have for the church. May God help our nation to wake up from its drunken stupor and realize its need for God and His precious church!
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¹. https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/139575-7-startling-facts-an-up-close-look-at-church-attendance-in-america.html
