August 5, 2015
by Rev. Dr. Red
As of late there seems to be an over-abundance of articles talking about how church/ministry leaders should or should not handle current issues, why people (primarily millennials and the LGBT crowd) are or are not leaving a church or joining a church, and the overall view of Christians in America and the western world.
Some articles are holding down to the fact we’re a Christian nation, while others state our society and culture is post-Christian. There are statements made condemning current society, whilst others are stating why it’s ok and a good thing for Christendom.
Many of these articles in reference are written by pastors and Christian authors from various churches around the country. Many may be found browsing ChurchLeaders.com, CharismaNews.com, OutreachMagazine.com, the ChurchJobFinder.com blog, and ChristianPost.com to name a few.
Many of these authors are trying to give advice to churches, Christian leaders, and Christians et al on how to handle different issues. Many doing so with the concern of their tax-exempt status, without taking into consideration 508c1a of the IRS tax code. Despite the many pastors and ministries putting out information about 508c1a vs 501c3. Despite popular belief, churches are NOT required to file for 501c3 to be tax-exempt since churches and most religious organizations are tax-excluded by default. The authors of such articles focusing primarily on how to act as to not lose tax-exempt status, not only have their priorities in the wrong place and all messed up, they are in ministry for all the wrong reasons. Christ’s Church does not need to ask for a privilege be given us when it is already a right handed to us.
Granted we are clearly in trying times, some things need to be understood. They are as follows:
– America, and many western nations, were founded upon Christian principles.
– Most western nations, however, are in a post-Christian era.
– Watering down the Gospel to suit current political winds will only cause the death of Christianity, as it will be no different than secular society.
– Maintaining 501c3 status only maintains your subservience to the State, not to God.
– Treating others, Christians and non-Christians alike, as outsiders will only do more harm than good.
It is a well-known fact, or atleast it used to be, that America’s founding fathers were Christian to one degree or another, it was the churches that fought in the Revolution against Britian, and our Constitution was written based on these Christian principles. This makes America a Christian nation, as we are governed by Christian principles. However, we must also realize our society is increasingly secularized and moving in a post-Christian direction.
In this post-Christian society, certain things are bound to happen. An increase in Christian persecution, an increase in immoral behaviour, and the eventual collapse of the economy and society et al. The nation we currently know as America will cease to exist, and a new nation will rise up in her place. It is these events that many pastors and Christian authors are writing articles condemning current society, demanding Christians have an “in your face” type attitude towards non-Christians and those they view as “heretics” or “new age”, and are instilling a combination of fear and excitement into their readers. Fear of the government and secularists, and excitement for near “rapture” and/or return of Christ.
Despite all their alleged Christology knowledge, Bible memorization, and prayers, they seem to miss one major point. This is the fact that Christianity began in an extremely secular world, was persecuted heavily, and yet flourished. Moving into a post-Christian era is not necessarily a bad thing. The few authors who state so, on this I agree. Perhaps Christians in America and the west need to experience a culture that does not embrace Christian principles in order to truly understand the faith. Perhaps, in a post-Christian society, where Christians go from the cultural norm to being the counter-culture, the truly faithful will wake-up, realize the heresies and blasphemies that have been entering the churches for hundreds of years, and return to the un-altered, un-edited version of Christianity – the exact and precise message of Jesus Christ. Perhaps a post-Christian era will finally rid Christianity of “churchianity”, “Paulianity”, or whatever other name for it that may be out there.
Many churches, and entire denominations, have already re-written their doctrines and dogma to be ever more accepting of the secular world. These churches will cease to exist as they continue to erode away at their own relevance to society, it is only a matter of time. Only the churches whom remain true will continue to bring in new congregants. There will no doubt be a period of “shrinking” before a slow, but steady, “growth”. This is normal.
Pastors and churches who are altering their churches or denominations doctrines to fit the current political winds are nothing but frauds. They care nothing about following Christ, they care nothing about the health of the Church, and they care nothing about Christians et al. All they care about is being State-sanctioned puppets and maintaining State-privileged tax-exempt status. The only concern they have is their pockets being filled with money from any Christians they can decieve and secularists they can fool. These churches apparently forgot, or just don’t believe, the warnings in Revelation.
People are not going to join a church that they view is no different from secular society, but at the same time they aren’t going to join a church that’s constantly belittling them and making them feel as an outsider. Talk to people as if they were, well, people. If you do, you might actually see a growth in your local churches. These new members of the church fellowship may soon after convert to Christianity. But only if you treat them as a person, not an object or an outsider. Even if you disagree with their secular ways, you MUST treat them as a person. They are not going to convert to a faith and way of life they view as more arrogant and more unaccepting that the secular society of which they currently belong. There are ways to condemn a way of life, or certain practices, without talking down to the individual or making them feel inferior.
Christians, you want to know how to move forward? Stop worrying and fearing nonsense. Times are going to get increasingly harder, but we were told this would happen. We were also told what will be after. If you feel you need to fear what tomorrow will bring, you have little to no faith. If you need advice on how to talk to people, you’re inhumane. Jesus told us about these times to come. A sense of love, morality, and common sense should tell you that you should speak to others as individuals. You know how you want to spoken to and treated, that is how you should speak to and treat others. Be kind, compassionate, and explain the faith, chances are the individual will convert. May not happen overnight, they may ask to fellowship and/or join church functions for awhile first. And that is fine. That is how conversions happen and desciples are made. They ask questions, experience the culture, and eventually convert. It is these converts who usually make the best desciples. They are fresh to the faith and wanting to tell everyone of their experiences and feelings.
It is rather upsetting to see so many not only questioning the topics just discussed, but the misleading and deceptive concepts put forth in so many of these articles across the internet. There is clearly a split happening in Christianity. You have one half trying to go back to and hold on to the true message of Christ, and you have the other half following the political winds and willingly enslaving themselves to the State. Which half is it that you, your pastor, and your church belong?
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