Whilst I penned most of this blog in late summer last year (2021), I still think it's worth sharing, so I finished recently and hope it blesses, and maybe challenges you.
Is the Church in danger of drifting?
In the blog I use the analogy of sea, boats and sails to illustrate a prophetic warning to the church. I believe as a Church we have allowed ourselves to be over influenced by circumstances and allowed our faith and expectations to get becalmed (having a wrong position and losing the wind in our sales). As a result the Church is in danger of losing its way, drifting from God's primary purposes. I've been sensing we have been too affected by the pandemic of 2020/2021, politics, consequences of the impact on society and social media. Weariness has crept in. We have allowed ourselves to be worn down, so much so that it has caused some of God's people to drift away through anxiety, or for convenience. Watching church online is great when there was no alternative, but now that there are no restrictions we need to make meaningful choices to re-connect with God's people. In some cases, the changes have led to Church members detaching themselves from the body of the Church by choice. Not everyone, but I heard a statistic a few weeks ago (unconfirmed early 2022), that 30% of Church going people have nor returned to the church after all the lock-downs. So why is this?
Faith in the becalming
I'm reminded of this scripture.
Galatians 6 NIV
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up".
The last year or two have caused me to be hugely challenged mentally, physically and emotionally. Like many others I have needed to adjust to new norms, new ways of doing what we have done in the past, including involvement in Church life. The pressures have caused some Church members to either re-evaluate priorities or drift. In my case, I found new ways to re-connect with God in a deep intimate way that I had lost through the business of life and ministry. During the last twenty four months there seems to have been a battering from within and also without. Within - in having to deal with how I am feeling and coping with isolation; and without - by having to listen to all the global and national challenges of coping with the effects of the pandemic
Evaluating the long term effects of the becalming
If we are not careful, weariness can have a a detrimental affect, reducing Church peoples confidence and zeal for the Kingdom of God. The onslaught of news and external influences have distracted us and for some, brought doubt, fear and anxiety. There is a trend in our world that gives way easily to short term thinking. These days people don't hang on long enough to persevere through hardships. The downside of social media is everything being instant, now! People are finding it harder to persevere and be patient. This is as true for the Church as it is for people in general. We must be alert to this. God takes time to work His purposes out in us.
So, I'm asking a question - Has the church got a bit becalmed? Have we allowed ourselves to be worn down? Are we starting to adopt a cruise ship kind of mentality when we should be part of the crew on a battleship? There is quite a difference between the two. As far as I'm aware, there are no passengers on a battleship. Everyone has a role to play, and all members of the crew are important and interdependent. As I'm writing this I wonder if a part of the Church might have been in this state prior to the pandemic? Maybe God has used the circumstances to shine a light on areas of Church life that have needed attention for a long time?
There is nothing wrong with having times of rest, and leaders in particular need to ensure they do get a break to re-charge the batteries and hear from God afresh. However, I do think that the church is in danger of becoming lethargic, over cautious, and lacks zeal for the power of the gospel in words and deeds. Don't get me wrong, there are many examples of the church getting out there and sharing the good news, including attending to felt needs, but I have a gut feeling that the enemy of our souls has managed to 'get at', and wear them down. As a result, I think that a large part of the church has been becalmed!
What are we to do?
I believe God is saying to the church arise and shine. It is time for the Church to be re-energised and get some wind in her sails!
This passage of scripture is helpful. It underlines the need for us to choose a different approach, one that purposeful and intentional.
Isaiah 60 (NIV)
1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Through this passage God reminds us that He is at work. It is important not to keep looking inwards, but outwards to a world that needs to hear good news of salvation in Jesus. We must remember that the harvest is white, and the labourers need to get active. The church needs to stir herself up, and we are the church! The call is still there for disciples of Jesus to shine in this dark world.
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
Let God re-energise us not just as individuals, but as the body of Christ (the Church). This will ensure we don't get isolated and cut off, are encouraged and remain a close part of God's family - together making a difference!
What this scripture suggests to me is that despite weariness, we can expect God to provide us with new strength. So, let's stir up the gift within us (2 Timothy 2:6). Let's get re-connected to God and His Church, who are the instruments He uses to bring truth and salvation to the world. Don't be robbed of faith and relationship with God's people. We need God, but we also need His people, through whom He brings teaching, guidance, encouragement, correction, truth and words of life, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Don't allow yourself to get becalmed. Turn to God with your whole heart. Find a faith filled group of God's people, serve God, and let Him put wind in your sails.
God bless you richly.
Roger Grassham - October 2021
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