John was talking about a church he left where the people were so happy that the vibrant people left. It reminds me of a passage in the KJV that says "They woke up and lo they were dead". What happens to these church's? I mean a scoundrel preacher can get his ordination revoked, but what can happen to the scoundrel church.

I know some die. A Church I was with last year, the men would do nothing that I suggested for them to do. The original agreements as to how the church would be, as in developing a dynamic worship service, was all limited and stopped. They can't figure out why nothing happens to bring growth and why nobody will do anything. They are now contemplating selling out and closing the doors. Does this surprise me? No! But it hurts in that if they had only been willing to work and try to minister to those out side the church's walls, maybe something could have happened.

What are your thoughts on these issues?

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2002

Answers

Bill,

I guess the simplest way to put it is: "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink".

By what you describe, I have to say (as an outsider observer) that this church won't die when the doors are locked up.........It has been dead for some time!

It sounds as if this church's only focus was on itself - the command to go out and bring in the lost sheeves was not being followed..........and that, my friend, is probably the best way to define a dead chruch. A church is supposed to be an ACTIVE part of the body of Christ, but just as in the human body, when a specific organ stops working......it must either be replaced or removed in order for the rest of the body to survive.

I've known churches just like this, and it does pain me to see what is happening. Unfortunately, they have become causualties of war in the Spiritual conflict we engage in everyday - willing defectors to the "other side". Such is the nature of combat.

But "be of good cheer" because Christ has overcome the enemy and as long as we continue to fight the battle on His side - we will one day wear the victor's crown.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002