Will the Church adapt?

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Over the past 5 weeks in Boston, the “melting pot” effect has become so much more apparent.  In Boston, there are over 140 different countries represented.  Since starting 5 weeks ago, I have met and prayed with Nepalese, Brazilian, Russian, Haitian, Arabic, and Korean pastors.  When you hop on the subway or bus, you can hear several different languages being spoken.  The United States continues to change, but is the Church willing to adapt?  If you don’t think our culture is changing, try calling an 800 number and see if you don’t have to press 1 for English.  This wasn’t the case 10 years ago.  However if the Church chooses not to adapt with the culture, it will become ineffective!

Unfortunately the Church, in America, is still one of the most segregated hours of the week.  Sadly, Islam and Mormonism are two of the fastest growing religions in America.  I believe this is greatly due to the fact that they welcome everyone with open arms.  Please know that this isn’t an immigration issue for the Church, it’s a heart issue.  Jesus said we were supposed to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.  However the “ends of the earth” are coming to our front door, but the Church is not reaching them. 

Jesus, as our example, adapted His strategy to reach His culture and context.  He never changed His message, but His strategy was so foreign to what the status quo was doing.   Jesus consistently stretched across cultural borders and included everyone.  It is time that the Church follow His lead!

It is time for the Church to wake-up!

Where are the workers???

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Matthew 9:35-38

This week marks Lori and I’s halfway point of serving in Boston.  While serving over the past month these verses have continued to haunt me.  I have seen them literally jump off the page here in Boston.  Before the summer, I truly had no idea what Jesus meant by “the harvest was plentiful, but the workers were few.”  God has allowed Lori and I to meet some great church planters who are passionate about reaching their communities in Greater Boston.  However one of the greatest barriers they each face is not having enough workers.

However according recent studies, the Church is at its largest ever in the United States (by sheer volume), but is loosing its ground on effectiveness.  So if there are so many believers in the Church today, why are there still such few workers?  I have come up with a small list of varying reasons.  I would love for you to add to the list if I have left any off.

1    1.    People genuinely do not know.  There are many believers who are unaware of the great need and lostness around them, as well as ignorant of God’s mandate to every believer to be active in His church. 

2    2.    People feel ill-equipped.  Some feel that they have nothing to offer to the Church or can’t be used because they do not have certain gifts.  However it is important to realize that God has given us each different gifts and talents to help build His Kingdom.

3    3.    People do not have a passion to reach lost people.  They routinely go throughout their week without noticing those around them who do not know the Lord.  However God has called each of us to be a light to the world.  He has you exactly where He desires to use you within each of your realms of influence to reach those people.

4    4.    Too many American Christians are sitting on the sidelines.  In the early 1900’s, America used to be the leading country of sending out missionaries.  However, there are other countries that are now sending out more missionaries, including to the United States to reach the lost.  As American Christians continue to sit comfortably within the walls of the Church, Mormonism and Islam have taken over as the 2 fastest growing religions in America. 

5    5.    “The pastor is paid to do the work” mentality has run rampant within the Church.  Pastors are getting burned out at an all time rate with over 1,500 pastors leaving their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict or moral failure.  After preaching the Word, the number one duty of a pastor is to be an equipper of the saints, so that they may do the work. 

6    6.    Lastly, people are too busy.  I have come to learn that if Satan can’t make you fall into sin, he will keep you busy so that you will become ineffective.  The typical Christian has a full plate of juggling family, career, and recreation that there is no extra time to serve. 

If you are not digging in to help build God’s Kingdom, I ask why not?  What is keeping you from realizing that God has a bigger plan and purpose for your life?  I pray that you will seek the Lord and ask how He desires to use you.