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!
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