Why is That?

As 2013 begins, I have been keeping my eye on international events, and how time is propelling us silently toward the end of this dispensation and Christ’s return and judgment. Personally, I am astounded at how most events are quietly passing with no notice or attention by the vast majority of congregations in my town here in Sacramento. And, the more I speak with ministers and leaders across the Country and world, it appears that in the United States it is widespread. Yet, if you step outside the USA it is a different story!

Why is that?

I am not sure that we, as a Christian community of believers (as a whole) understand the outcome of our continued denial and lack of understanding of what time it is. This is not an opinion but a fact widely accepted however, I base my hypothesis on first-hand observation. In the past 3 years, I have been in church a lot....in fact my own daughter, a pastor herself has expressed "Mom, you are in church "a lot". I have been on staff at a few, but mostly serve informally in whatever capacity the pastor needs. I am not much into titles or affirmations so it suits me fine; plus I have had a women’s ministry in my home for 3 years. So, for the last 8 month I have been to several congregations (more than 6) in some capacity to help, support, minister, hear a speaker or attend a special event involving my family or grandchildren. And, during all of those visits or assignments, I have had the pleasure of listening to the pastors (the shepherds in charge of the flocks) speak, in different denominations from Pentecostal to Conservative. I have listened to well-orchestrated sermons with beautiful slides in Power Point, and expository genius and I have listened as well-meaning men and women attempt to speak forth what God has put in their hearts with a great degree of conviction and passion. I heard some good messages that I am sure would make any seminary professor proud. But there was one thing lacking from all but one of the churches....and that was a compelling message to repent, return to your first Love, and get your life right for the time is short. In most I did not witness prayer, laying on of hands, or even an altar call for salvation, healing or anything. More importantly and quite alarming to me I saw no one, not one, filled with the Holy Ghost or even an invitation to receive Him with evidence of speaking in tongues. I did not see any bonafide miracles or signs and wonders following those messages.

Why is that?

It makes me shake my head and wonder a lot lately where did it go? The powerful preaching, the leading of the Holy Ghost, the miracles following the Word (signs and wonders) and the conversion of lives truly changed by an encounter with a living God? These men lived for God, 24/7, not just on Sundays. It was who they were/are, not their title.

I know many leaders in ministry. I know their hearts and that they are committed to their calling. It isn’t that they aren’t praying and seeking, but for some reason, their services are lacking those things that are the foundation and pillar of Christ and what He has called us, as believers to be and do.

Why is that?

Elsewhere, in visits and ministry I see sone leaders who really appear (my humble opinion) to be "winging it" and, what is worse, they are calling it being "lead" by the Holy Ghost. These leaders are showing up for service by the seat of their pants, late, unprepared (spiritually) and so busy that they forgot about the "holiness" of their calling. What makes it sad is they have forgotten the old cliche that "the higher up the ladder you go, the more your panties show". That means, they aren’t fooling anyone even though they think they are; they certainly aren’t fooling the Lord let alone their congregations.

Yet, in the "routine" of church, they throw out a few verses (same verses every Sunday) and call it a day. They give away their pulpits to guests more than not and then, and I have heard them, wonder aloud, with much frustration, why their congregation is so non-committal and dwindling. I hear a lot of analysis and conclusions being drawn, too, as to changing of seasons, certain people within the flock being the problem, and much justification. Unfortunately, again my opinion, what I never hear, is the revelation that THE SPEED OF THE LEADER IS THE SPEED OF THE GANG. I do hear this over and over again: "God is in charge of the increase" as if it is all up to God anyway....

Why is that?

Meanwhile, prophetic men and women are screaming "WAKE UP, LOOK OUT, WARNING!...". You see a lot of that on Facebook these days, or on the internet, in my opinion because we have removed the prophet from our churches and labeled them as radials or crazy’s in lieu of tolerance and putting more "cheeks in the seats" to cover our overhead. It seems that it is more about "Can’t we all just get along"? In the name of "tolerance" and "love" it really looks like we (as a church body) have given up. What we don’t realize is that we are now like the virgins without oil in their lamps and we are going to miss the bridegroom!

What does it say if we (the church leaders) are so careful to not want to upset anyone, or touch on issues of sin that are "danger zones" that we stick to the "feel good" sermons that emotionally charge up the people but mature them/us NOT. In the process of "doing church" we have failed to see our nakedness and, in the process of our efforts to achieve personal "success" (.e.g., pay the bills, pay the pastor, grow the congregation) somehow church has become a social club. You can get your latte, attend bingo and some neat event and have the shepherd fill you up emotionally and make you feel good for another week, all in the 1.25 hours allowed on a Sunday. Yet, while you are looking up your Bible verse on your smart phone, you are not being very edified or convicted (and of course that doesn’t feel good anyway) and you become completely reliant on a pastor, in a building, regurgitating the same ole same ole. I even attended a service where only 1 verse was present in a sea of jokes and wise cracks from the pulpit and analogy after analogy that was very painful to listen to!

And yet, all the while we (the human race) ARE facing the darkest days on Earth and we are eating and drinking and looking just like the "days of Noah" before the flood came and wiped out every single being on earth save a select few spared by God. Did we forget that God who is just and perfect when we painted our picture of Jesus our friend?

Why is that?

I just watched an election where Christians did not care about the ethical and moral standing of a candidate. They voted against biblical principles and didn’t care or justified it with malarkey. Most of the same folks would tell me (I assume) that it is prejudice of me to point a finger at Islam and say "great false religion" or that with each piece of ground the Christian church gives up, it takes one more step into allowing a time when persecution of believers will become as real and as ugly as it is in Africa or China.

Meanwhile, one by one, the mighty men of God who stood tall and braved and tilled the unbroken ground to preach the full gospel are going home to be with Jesus and receive their crowns. Men like Hagin and Harrison and Oral Roberts and, even in my own circle of influence, men like Glen Cole and Al Gluchoski are going "home" to be with the Lord. Where are their replacements? The torch bearers that have been called to this hour to lead and proclaim the full gospel?

Why is that?

We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Good News of Christ, says the Bible. So, if it were all up to God, why is man appointed to rule and have dominion on earth and why did Jesus take the cross to reconcile man with God? Could it be because it is man’s job to proclaim the gospel of Christ.

If one is called to preach and lead the people, then it isn’t about anything else. It isn’t that you need to have a balanced life, or whatever, it is about a calling and a burning and yearning so deeply and intensely that it is really who you are.

Selah..........