Church life, growing, the ups and downs
Let’s talk about churches, the health of churches, the life of churches. yes churches do die, close, get sick, go through things, issues, just like you and I get sick, go through trials and tribulations.
Many books in the Bible and parts of revelation are written to churches. So why do we not expect churches today to experience the same things as those churches written to in the Bible.
Some of it is growing pains, some of it is, yes, people, it’s members, it’s body of believers. Could be its pastors, leadership, lack of leadership, lack of direction, lack of unity, lack of vision. And you can think of more, but this is enough to get the picture.
As with most issues, it is hardly ever the one issue, at least not the first one, maybe not the second or third one, but always the last one, the last straw that causes some strife in the body. But really it’s usually not the issue, it’s a disagreement on how that issue was handled. Some say this, some say that and we disagree. That’s human and churches are made up of, well mostly humans. Yes there are chairs, pews, tables etc., But when do they disagree, never. It’s just us, the body, the members. We are all sinners, at different varying degrees of spiritual maturity, wisdom and faith.
But all is well, as Christians we know God gives us, allows trials, tribulations and troubles, in order to grow us, strengthen us, mature us. And His word tells us we should walk through this with great joy, just like we know we should walk through our own individual personal trials, tribulations and troubles. God’s word tells us, to consider it great Joy. But it’s still hard, still difficult and it still hurts. We are again, human.
I have quit jobs, been fired, been hired, fell in love, been divorced, lost friends, survived broken relationships, attended weddings and funerals, buried friends and family, remarried, had kids, grandkids, being elected, lost elections, joined churches, attended many, left some.
And I know God is good and greatly to be praised. He works in all things to his glory and moves people where he needs us. It is all his plan and we are blessed that we are a part of his plan.
Let us not grow weary, but rejoice again God says rejoice. Job had it tough, we don’t. Joy comes in the morning and each day starts with a morning.
Be thankful and grateful, God is with you, us, the body, the bride, the church and nothing will prevail against his bride, the church.
