As have you, I've been pondering my post a few days back regarding the exodus of so many from the church. As you, I yearn to see a stabalizing force reverse the exit ramp. Such can be done. There is a God in heaven and it can be done.
Something simple occurred to me this week; thus I toss it your way. Could the inherited doctrine of demanding the Holy Spirit be shelved affect these who are beleaving? The Holy Spirit is discussed and experienced in my circle; yet even that topic is only in kindergarten stages.
Could it be that the back door is largely due to no life? Beleavers just can't hang in there any longer when there is more life at a football game than at a church assembly?
The Word declares law kills and the Spirit gives life. If the Spirit is not allowed then from whence comes life? Works? Well...that is surely tried (even today). However, listen to the grumblings and rumblings of many of those workers....because the life of God's Spirit isn't in them? Could this be? Rather a fleshly committment to work for the Lord is? Possibly?
Over the last two decades God has made significant effort to gain our attention toward the third limb of the Trinity. We are seeing advancement. But we are way behind. Until we shift unto the Spirit of God all efforts, plans, and organizational approaches will fall from the mantra of death. Life is due to the Spirit of Jesus and nowhere else.
We are trying to saves lives. The Holy Spirit possesses a response of which nothing else knows.
2 comments:
Yes, Terry...I have pondered your first post and have done some research of my own. I think "beleavers" are leaving because the connectedness is not part of the whole story of the gospel.
Our younger generations want to be connected. See how facebook works? That is because people connect with people in a social setting. Sharing photos, commenting on comments and so on.
I think our setting in churches are too rigid, too traditional, too dated in style. Our pews are facing the pulpit and communion table...not each other.
Look how a coffee shop setting it set up. It's a relaxed place to have a community of connectedness.
I would like to see us change so that our teens, 20's and 30 somethings generation will feel the winds of change and understand they are important. But we also have to be mindful of the older generation that is satisfied with how things are. A tough task? You bet.
We must be able to connect a relationship with God, Jesus, and Spirit. We must be able to connect our gatherings as a place of joy, truth, and opportunity to be involved in church life and in community life. How?....
Just my 1/2 cent worth.
I think you hit on a huge part of the issue...the lack of the Spirit. We're not connected to it because we don't know Him. How can we? We've shooed Him away. But, you're right. Without Him there's no life, no truth, just procedures. We have to welcome Him in.
Jay
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