 |
What will the church look like in 10 years? |
|
|
Posted By: abelajohnb
What will the church look like in 10 years?
For each generation, what the church is today is no good.
For my generation, "organized religion" is becoming more and more undesirable, and this can surely only increase for each generation after mine. As the world continues to spiral faster and faster, organized religion is doomed greater and greater without a major intervention, and thus the church itself.
Personally, I am tired of Programs.
I don't want any more new theologies.
I don't want to be preached at with sermons that were barely relevant 30 or 100 years ago.
I don't want the same old things rewrapped in a new package.
Surely somebody, some pastor somewhere, can find something of value with the Great Book, and find a way to make it relevant to me, one would think?
As for the generations following me, it will only get worse.
They will want a real life experience of the power of God.
They will want truth in action, not truth in teachings.
They will want love in action, not love in sermons.
They will want a move of God, not just a 'move of God' talked about.
They will want the Bible spoken, taught, and lived out - and in a way that the church hasn't seen for hundreds of year, and likely never here in America.
They church of America in the present generation, and more so in the ones to come, are going to want a passion, a truth, a burning desire - like what we see in China, South America and South Korea right now!
The 'Church of America' has become little more then an 'upper blue-collar/white-collar' "Sunday Thing" that is expected of people to be done.
It is no longer a living entity that many people have a burning passion to be a part of.
It has lost its power for the sake of properness.
The church of today would rather have its T crossed and its I dotted then worry about what's happening out-side of their own doors!
Of course I am not talking about EVERY church, there are the exceptions.
Too many churches say, "Were doing our part to reach this town/community".
But too many of those churches cannot even work together (with other churches) to even put together a basic plan to reach their community.
As for the people on the streets... that is what they see.
They are not so blind as to not see what we ourselves are blinded of.
The church, in a way, has had too much "in-breeding". In an age where "church growth" is not "true growth" but "transfer growth", what else can we call it?
Until the people IN the church see what the people OUTSIDE the church already see, the people OUTSIDE the church are simply not going to set foot INSIDE the church!
So, what will the church be like in the next 10+ years?
That my dear friends, is the question of this century, being asked within the walls of but a few churches who truly desire to break out of the shell and into freedom.
Will the church 'wake up'?
Will they put aside their petty problems for the problems of those outside the church?
Will they ever find that, presently, the four walls of a church are a bigger hindrance then they are a beacon of light?
I am convinced the church can get better, but only when the people decide to make it better.
God has chosen it to be this way long before our time. Forget not that God gave even Sodom and Gomorrah a chance to get right.
God also gave the keepers of Solomon's and David's temple a chance to clean things up.
And God went too far as to even gave the Pharisees of Christ's time a chance to get things right.
Throughout history, God has given men the chance to get and keep their temples (churches) clean and running in the ways He set before them.
And yet, throughout history, very few have not failed to do so.
Throughout history we have seen them all fall to the ground: Sodom and Gomorrah, Solomon's & David's temple, and the Pharisees.
If the church of today does not have, find, or get a passion and a desire to get things right with God, to clean out their temples, to put "GOD BACK INTO CHURCHES"... then the church of the next generation truly will be an "organized religion" like so many people say will happen, and... they will be empty.
But that is not what my God says is His desire!
He says the church of the next generation will be a light to a shinning world, a generation of young men prophesying, and old men dreaming dreams, and of a church that seeks first His Kingdom. A church that sees the King, the kingdom, and the PEOPLE. For what truly is a kingdom, if not the people themselves? The church must see the kingdom that is 'thy kingdom come, thy will be done'...'on earth'.
Ask yourself, your pastors, your fellow Christians, are you relevant or recent? The church does not need more "recent programs" being done by others. What it needs is a relevant Christianity! We all must stay in our gifting for us to achieve the success that God has for our church, for this generation, for those coming after us. But staying in our gifting means we first have to find our gifting, and then make it relevant to those around us! I would stop being who I am if I stopped exploring these and new environments - for a true calling of God is too powerful of a call to not keep it alive by all means necessary!
You ask me what the church will be like in 10 years, and I will say it will depend on one thing -- and that one thing is the result (or lack thereof) of a single passage of scripture.
A passage of Scripture that I feel must become a greater part of the church, for without it the church will simply stay it has for the last 500 years...
"My house shall be called a house of prayer." - Matthew 21:13
When His house is truly a house of prayer, then and only then, will His Church be ready to go Home!
Blessings to all of my dear friends out there!
John B. Abela
permalink
Posted: 05/09/08 12:17am - Total Views: 1,389 - Category: Church
View: Backlinks
Similar Blog Entries: Five years away from church, what does that mean?,
New Church Building or Frontline Evangelism,
Spirituality May Be Hot in America, But 76 Million Adults Never Attend Church,
Church Attendance,
Universal Church,
Blog Tags: church,
churches,
generation,
kingdom,
relevant,
years,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Membership Required |
|
|
Login to be able to view all the comments for this blog! If you are not already a member we invite you to become a member... it's free!
|
|
|
|
|
|
hisway |
|
|
Posted by:
hisway 
(Posted: 05/09/08 3:20am)
permalink
Amen John,
I am in agreement with almost everything you have wrote.
As to "My House shall be a House of prayer", Oh when one gets the full revelation of this truth, Hell shakes.
For when we look to the scriptures realizing that we are not able to comprehend them with our own understanding and turn towards Holy Spirit asking Him to open our eyes to its truth the Bible comes to life.
As to the Church, the question must be asked and the question is clearly answered in the scriptures "Who is the Church"?
We are and the Word is clear in this. For before Christ people went to the Temples to hear the Word of God spoken and it was there that they gave sacrifice.
But now Christ has come and brought into the world a New Covenant as well as something that is afforded to all through that which He did upon the Cross. Now we through Christ have immediately and direct contact to the very Throne of the living God.
In short, yes when the Church becomes a House (Temple of prayer) we shall begin to see the Glory of the Bride flowing forth. When we, the Church, come into that revelation, that we are to be Temples secured and guided by the time we spend in prayer, we will start walking in the Authority and Power of Jesus Christ that the Bride is meant to walk in.
When we get back to the aspect of Preaching the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection and nothing else, for there in is everything we need.
When we allow the walls of separation ( denominationalism ) to crumble and fully reject the Doctrines of men and turn towards, grasping hold of as though our lives depend on it, for they do, the teaching of Jesus Christ and that alone, the Church, the Bride, that being us, shall walk in our purpose and fulfillment with true Kingdom transforming Authority and Power.
So we like Christ and His Apostles, must reject Religion, we must Repent of allowing the spirit of Religion to place us in Bondage and turn solely unto to the truth, throwing ourselves at the foot of the Cross and allowing the Mercy of a Loving King to allow the power of everything He accomplished there to be released into our lives, that we like men and women of Old can experience the Liberation of true Christianity and all that Christ has for us, that we the Church in Christ, shout forth causing the Earth and Hell to shake, with a roar released, crying out FREEDOM.
What will the Church be like in 10 years? It will be in the exact place God the Father has allowed it to be, for He has giving the Authority of the Church and the building thereof to only One, Jesus Christ His Son. God is able to direct the Church and has and will continue to do so, One must ask the Father and not be in the dark as Elijah was, for He will surely tell you, He has remnant that is in the position to accomplish that which we has willed.
Will we see it within the Religious structures of today? More than likely not, yet even within their walls, does the Remnant stand by seeking to hear the Father voice and walking in His will. Just as Christ was rejected from the Religious structures during His Earthly Ministry and so were His Disciples.
Who can come up to the Mountain of the Lord, he who has clean hands and a pure heart. He who has not bowed to the spirit of religion, the will of men or self, he who has bowed to none, except to his King, his Lord, his Savior, Jesus Christ, King of kings, who was and is and shall ever be over all men, women and Kingdoms
In the Kings Service,
Rush
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
allforhim |
|
|
Posted by:
allforhim
(Posted: 05/09/08 4:02am)
permalink
Amen to Rush and AMEN! I truly have nothing more to add. Blessings! Andrea
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
blessings2you |
|
|
Posted by:
blessings2you
(Posted: 05/09/08 5:45am)
permalink
Lest I usurp this brilliant post, let me just say a hearty amen to all that has been written. Until the day comes all involved with church (pastors, congregation, boards and chain of leadership) honestly humble themselves before the Lord and ask HIM for guidance, direction and wisdom; all that is done within the four walls of most buildings is what man in all his wisdom THINKS is cool, sweet, entertaining or so great.
There are some who have succeeded in getting it right, but it only came from the laying down of man's wisdom and the total sacrifice of egos, titles, diplomas and such. The Church INC. has turned that house of prayer into a den of thieves and until someone goes in and overturns the moneychangers tables, nothing will ever change.
Great post and great comments.
B2Y
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
psalmthirtyseven |
|
|
Posted by:
psalmthirtyseven 
(Posted: 05/09/08 7:28am)
permalink
John, I say amen to your post.
It should be noted that there is a movement underway that is breaking with the traditional mainstream churchianity. But this movement is young and still searching for its sea legs.
Barna's most recent book called Revolution describes what he has found to be a fundamental change in how more and more believers live out their faith. In a second book with Frank Viola, the two authors go through tradition-by-tradition of the modern church and investigate the history and scriptural backing.
But there are other breaks with the current stream that cause, at least me, some concern. Do a search for emergent and church and you may run across some fairly unnerving things.
In this time it is not a single unified movement that is occurring though, but more a fanning out in a certain direction. Less organized, more relevant, more action oriented, etc.
Where these different flavors of the post-modern generation of Christianity will mature and grow into will be an interesting thing to observe.
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
throughfaith |
|
|
Posted by:
throughfaith
(Posted: 05/09/08 8:58am)
permalink
You are right on as voiced by others although I don't think we have to look even ten years from now.
For fourteen years I was in one church, with one pastor that entire time. It was unlike any other church I have ever been in. It was truly Spirit led and nothing else. Prayer was the focus. Following the will of the Lord was the program. We had no vision statement, no slogan to unify us. We had the Holy Spirit. Services were blessed. Some days they were long, some days they were short, some days we had a sermon, some days we didn't, some days we never got passed the worship time ...
It was truly an amazing experience.
When we moved from that town ... our life in church has never been the same.
Our pastor would talk about going out into the world to show others what walking in the Holy Spirit looked like. He told us it would be difficult. He told us people wouldn't understand. He told us that the church would reject us.
And he was right.
But I am grieved by it all ... moved to pray even more for we have found that there is nothing more powerful than prayer.
blessings,
Erin
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
poodlelady |
|
|
Posted by:
poodlelady
(Posted: 05/09/08 12:49pm)
permalink
John it's not just the young people that want change in the church us old folks want that change too or at least this one does. I pray that the church will wake up and repent and return to the "Living Word". I and many others as well long for an "Action" church a church of the "Word" -not a make me feel good church -a make me rich -easy life church.
Super fantastic blog John and I'll add my Amen to it.
Love in Christ
Poodle
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
blackrose65 |
|
|
Posted by:
blackrose65
(Posted: 05/09/08 3:47pm)
permalink
Amazing Blog, John. I think that when more churches and more church leaders seek His Face and not notoriety,then we'll see more of that bright light. I also believe that we as believers need to be seeking His Face too. My Bishop has said on numerous occasions that once lit by the Holy Spirit Fire, we should be little torches, setting fires all around us, so that when we do get to church(the gathering of believers... ) it is a great big shining light to to the lost.
to quote one of my favorite cartoons...
"we have met the enemy, and he is us!"
We must be agents of change, willing to live and die for the Word, earnestly praying for that Move of God, and not be quite so dependent on ministry leadership to pray for that move.
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
papillionkiller |
|
|
Posted by:
papillionkiller
(Posted: 05/09/08 5:27pm)
permalink
God to Nathan to tell David;
1Ch 17:11 When the time comes for you to die,19 I will raise up your descendant, one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom.
1Ch 17:12 He will build me a house, and I will make his dynasty permanent.
1Ch 17:13 I will become his father and he will become my son. I will never withhold my loyal love from him, as I withheld it from the one who ruled before you.
1Ch 17:14 I will put him in permanent charge of my house and my kingdom; his dynasty will be permanent."
Truly, what have we done?
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
lizinchrist |
|
|
Posted by:
lizinchrist
(Posted: 05/12/08 11:02pm)
permalink
Thats right!!!But I would definitely add that there are true moves of God happening right now in various parts of America.I am from India and have been watching revival meetings in Florida led by Todd Bentley on GOD TV.God is moving in unconventional ways,using unconventional people to show forth His glory.My only prayer is "Lord,let us also be part of this great revival"
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
bimonics |
|
|
Posted by:
bimonics
(Posted: 05/15/08 1:22pm)
permalink
The true Church ten years from now will still be the same Underground Roman Orthodox Church of today and yesteryear. (Note: i am not talking about Franco-Latin Vaticanism). The parable of the wheat and tares is about Christendom (which according to the World Almanac is 1/3 of the world's population) rather than the world at large, for the tares were sown in the 'kingdom of heaven', in that the 'kingdom of heaven is like...', not 'the world is like...'. These tares have been going to seed for thousands of years and have an appearance of the true Church, which accounts for the 'perilous times' in which we live. As persecution increases in this country; we will, out of necessity, have more clarity.
Sincerely, Grant.
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
literalword |
|
|
Posted by:
literalword
(Posted: 06/01/08 4:10pm)
permalink
Truthfully I believe ten years from now all that will remain on earth is the apostate church. The true Church, the bride of Christ will be with Him. Of course I have no way of validating my position except through the signs given us in Matt 24 and seeing them all fulfilled in our generation.
Even so, if the True Church is still on earth there will remain a remnant. God always has a remnant of faithful believers. Even during the tribulation years a remnant will arise.
Blessings,
PastorH
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
leopk1880 |
|
|
Posted by:
leopk1880
(Posted: 06/01/08 7:58pm)
permalink
amen brother,
yes i agree with u for most of the things.
and yes church needs to grow in all ways.
but today in the name of the growth some other things are been added to church as in the early 1st and 2nd century.
we need the power of the Holy Spirit in our church. we need a real life experience of the power of God.
we need truth in action,we need love in action and a move of God.
but i think (i am not critic) today church needs is restoration. restored with true word for people not just sermon preached for 20-60 min. but the word which is like twin edged sword piercing our hearts convicting, comforting, consoling our hearts. be the armor of God according to ephesians 6:13-17.
the comforter is there for us to show that. when we have the word and Spirit of God will help us to see changes in our church even after 100years going in right direction.
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
hisway |
|
|
Posted by:
hisway
(Posted: 07/08/08 3:22am)
permalink
Wow John,
This blog is staying alive isn't it. A big Amen.
I believe many are expectant of seeing a change, yet many when faced with a change struggle.
The Church of this world, those built by men, is not going to change. Those who have names upon them, names that men & women sat around and decided that this name will set us apart from other's will not make the change that is going to shake the world for Christ.
I read in one response the word restoration. It is restoration that will wash the mud off from the Bride of Christ. Holy Spirit fire purposed restoration that washes off every claim of men from the Bride of Jesus Christ.
It's not a matter of turning into something new! It is a matter of turning back to the foundation of the Fellowship of believers. Returning to the time when all gathered to hear the scriptures read, all shared in the needs of the body. The world had no impact upon them, rather through the power and leading of Holy Spirit they impacted the world around them.
They didn't have building fund meeting's. They didn't seek out the best place to build a building that would attract more people to their side. They simply surrendered to the power of God, through Holy Spirit, baring witness to the Authority and Kingship of the Messiah, Yeshua, The Christ.
Let us not fool ourselves into believing that we are alone, or that our little group of believers has the answers and that we alone are in the struggle to clean up or build the church (that is the job of Holy Spirit). For there are those we know not of, like Elijah thinking he battled alone was reminded by God that He the Lord still had thousands in Hiding.
What the Bride needs most today is for a people willing to get over themselves and under the "mighty hand of God". Willing to lay upon their faces crying out for the out pouring of Holy Spirit. Seeking true revival. For true revival is of and for the Lord, not for mankind. True revival is that which Glorifies the Son, lifts His Name up and brings complete attention to Heaven and the God of all creation.
Who is willing to with a whole heart seek God in this way. It not a matter of thinking it through to the point where it just comes to pass. It's a matter of standing like Daniel, refusing to bow a knee to any other except the Lord - including his own desires - but was willing to fast and seek God until God came to pass by - That Heaven opened up and the message from God was I have heard your cry and here is the answer.
But friends the restoration of the Bride starts within each one of us, like a spark in a pile of dry wood, we must seek that Holy Fire and surrender to the Lord until an Angel comes forth with a coal from the Alter before God and lights us a blaze. We must empty ourselves of every though of what we think should happen and seek the mind of Christ, thus we will be praying the will of the Father to come to pass.
Restoration is the answer and it will start in individual believers as a little fire until enough come on board, come together that then shall the fire erupts to where it shall be seen by the world.
Blessing's
Rush
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
|
|
Member Biography |
|
|
Raised in a private Christian school until his senior year, Mr. Abela has been around the Christian Faith nearly his entire life. Shortly after entering High School he became involved in researching his Native American heritage and soon found himself deeply involved in the Native American religion. Shortly before his...
view more
|
|
|
|
|
|
ChristianBlog.Com is a ministry of 4CM Network.
policy changes, new blog creation system, and a whole lot more!
