What is Wrong with the Modern "Church"?

 Well, I wasn't going to rant today, and I hope that this doesn't come off that way. First off let me say, I am a traditionalist . . . of sorts. I like and preach from the KJV Bible, but I can use any translation to lead someone to Christ. I have my favorites and one that I wouldn't use on purpose. I love the old hymns, but believe that the new hymns and the contemporary Christian music has it's purpose and place; and again, there are bands and writers whose music I wont use if I can help. Since I am the pastor, my son is the music director and my family and I are the worship team (it's a small church) I can help it. I do dress for Sunday service, but I no longer wear a suit and tie. In fact, it is rare that I ever wear a collar these days. My point is, tradtitions are great, but new traditions are great too and they both have thier places. 

Tradition becomes a problem when it becomes doctrine and dogma and replaces the Holy cannon as the rule in the local assemblies.

So, what is wrong with the modern church? Apathy, lack of attendance, lack of desire, lack of moral Christian discipline. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to turn our backs on gathering together because as we get further away from the cross and closer to the second coming, the days will become increasingly evil and difficult and discouraging to the believer. Problem is, there was a time when churches bragged about have a band or singing contemporary music, using multi-media, the New American Standard Bible or the New King James Bible. Now churches brag about having more than one or two services a week or maybe even a mid-week service. Pastors are lauded (praised) for using the KJV now. 

Part of the issue here is the churches' leaders and teachers not teaching solid doctrine these days for fear of being labled as judgmental, hateful or hypocritical. But, also problematic is that worldly organizations are offering more and more extra-curricular activies on church days. And instead of trying to steer the members in the right direction, pastors began to relent. Now, I understand that church attendance is not a requirement for being a good Christian and that the early church didn't always meet on Sundays. But, now Christians are finding things "better" to do than to worship and fellowship together and strengthen each other.

The Christian world is also starting to see a mass growth of seeker friendly churches. What is a seeker friendly church? It is a church that softens or changes doctrines in order to plant bodies into seats. We are seeing concerts with light shows and multi-media artistry instead of the music portion of the worship service. We are seeing people who are living contrary to the word of God in leadership positions and even as pastors. Pastors and teachers are now teaching that certain lifestyles are OK these days and that the Bible was writtne the way it was at that time because of narrow mindedness or because God had stricter standards at the time or because the church was run by the state and the state was trying to dictate what the common people could and could not do. God doesn't change. His laws are the same today as they were 4,000 + years ago.

Churches are growing weaker and the world influence is growing stronger. We are seeing 2 Timothy 4:3 becoming more and more prevailant. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; Scripture also talks about a time of a great falling away. But why aren't the Lord's people doing more to combat this? It seems that Christians have adopted the attitude of, "Oh well, it's going to happen anyway, so why fight it?" Apathy! Shame! Laziness! What's wrong with the modern church? Christians are more concerned with being accepted and liked than preaching the truth. 

Plain and Simple!

Politics and Religion

 I have heard many people say that religion has no place in politics. Of course, many of them reference separation of church and state. There is no such thing as separation of church and state. In fact, the founding fathers of the United States understood the value of a moral based religion as a guideline for the leaders of this great country. 

The first amendment was not meant to take the church out of the government, but rather to keep the government out of the church, to avoid another church state such as the Church of England or the Roman Catholic church. The first amendment guaranteed the protection of the right to gather and to worship, and protected religious groups from government interference. As well as the freedom of speech and the freedom of press. But rights do not divorce one of consequences.

In fact, the founding fathers realized the need for religion in politics. Religion, by definition, is a system of faith or belief. Even Atheism is a religion. If you can tell me that the beliefs of an Evolutionist, Atheist or even a Satanist does not affect their politics, then I will tell you that you do not understand what religion really is. No, religion, whatever your belief system is dictates your politics. 

I have preached, every election cycle, an election sermon. I do not tell my congregation how to vote. I simply take the issues or the platforms of the those vying for election and compare them to the scriptures.

What does the Bible cover concerning politics? All of it. All of the major hot topics that we are constantly facing; First Amendment, Second Amendment, Abortion, Military, Homeland Security, Equality, Family Relationships and Dynamics, Capitol Punishment, Discipline, Welfare, Employment and Employee/ Employer Relationship and the rights therein . . . It's all there.

In a future blog I will post a copy of my expanded outline, including verses and explanations. 

No, religion and politics do belong together. If you have a belief system, and all humans do, even if you only believe in yourself, your beliefs, your religion will dictate your politics.

Child of God, your religion MUST dictate your politics. Do not vote party, do not vote for what is best for you, vote according to scripture. Read the scriptures, pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and then vote your heart, vote your conscience. Just Vote. 

Free Speech?

 What happened to free speech? Have we become a nation of entitled brats, so spoiled that we think we can whine about what we don't like and get our way?! Really?! Three Facebook accounts. THREE! I am on my third. Last account I was discussing with some mush brain the silliness of labeling a name as bad because of someone in history. 

On a local page, a lady posted a picture of her German Shepherd that had gone missing, and was looking for any information. The Shepherd's name was Adolf . . . a G E R M A N Shepherd! Now, I personally would have chosen a different name simply to avoid the fallout that she got over this dog's name. First comment, "Adolf? Really?" 

I began defending this lady's right to name her dog anything she wanted. If we are going to ban the name Adolf, perhaps we should ban the name Fidel (Castro), K(C)arl (Marx), Joseph (Stalin), Christopher (Columbus) . . . We have a church member who is directly descended from the Clanton's of OK Corral. In fact, his last name is Clanton. Should my daughter and son-in-law not named their son Wyatt. What about Elizabeth (Lizzy Boardan), or Mary (Bloody Mary)? Where does it end?!

Anyway, I was booted off of Facebook for telling this guy that he was a brainwashed, liberal, snowflake. I thought he knew! That's what I get for thinking. Oh, well.

I guess I wasn't very pastoral by slinging mud and name calling, but even pastors are human and get irratated at the lunacy and hypocrasy of this modern generation and thier so called leaders.

Toughen up buttercup! It's just a name. No, you are not going to get PTSD because someone, whom you have never met and probably never will, called you a name!

OK, I'm done . . . for now.