Spiritual Temperature in Boston

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”   Revelation 3:14-18

When Jesus was speaking to the church of Laodicea, He was sick of their luke-warmness. However, if you took the spiritual temperature of Boston it would be ice cold.  The sad fact is that Boston was the birthplace for Christianity in America, but it has become a spiritual wasteland. Colleges which were started to train pastors, have now slipped so far away from their roots.  These same colleges now offer space for Wiccan and Satan-worship chapters and have disallowed evangelical Christian clubs. The education system here has taken tolerance to a whole new level.  Only 3% of the population in Boston, and all of New England, is considered evangelical.  With a quick survey of spiritual landscape, my response was much like that of Jesus in Matthew:

“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.”   Matthew 9:35-37

The Church is struggling in Boston!  Unfortunately there are very few churches preaching the Truth.  Many churches have either closed or are dying, while others are preaching a false, feel-good gospel.  Scandals have so rocked the Catholic Church here in Boston, that the bishop closed over 80 parishes.  It’s time for the Church to stand in the gap for New England. 

What would God have you do?    

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  Romans 10:14-15