The Local Church

At the conclusion of this month, I will have completed my 23rd year as a pastor in the

Methodist Church. After all this time, I can still proclaim serving the local church is one

of the greatest joys of my life. I still believe this is God’s calling on my life. It is a calling

to which I still respond with a great deal of ‘fear and trembling.’

I still believe that Jesus is the Lord of the church. I still believe that a life lived for Jesus

is the best life anyone can live. I still believe that Jesus changes lives, restores hearts, and

redeems minds. I still believe that serving the local church is the best way anyone can

find their true calling and purpose in life.

So, it saddens me when I look at the state of the church. I won’t bore you with the latest

statistics about the decrease in the number of people who go to church. Rather, my

concerns are that the church has become a reflection of the kingdom of earth and not the

kingdom of heaven. Most Christians live as if church is just another thing to add to an

already over extended calendar. They lack passion for God’s house, zeal for his word, and

desire to bring God’s will ‘to earth as it is in heaven’.

Many years ago, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement said, “I am not

afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or

America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of

religion without the power.”

I fear that is what is happening in the local church. We have the form of religion, but we

are losing the power to change the world.

Now I guess you could reach the conclusion that I am distraught about the future of the

church. Or that maybe I am reconsidering my calling to serve the local church. But that

is not the case.

I believe that God is not done with the local church. I believe that the church is still God’s

plan to bring people to salvation through Jesus Christ. I believe God has a plan to redeem

the local church. I believe that God is on the verge of doing something He has never done

before in the local church. I believe that God is about to raise up new believers, new

leaders of his church and a new generation of people who long to draw close to God. I

believe the future of the local church is brighter than it has ever been.

That’s not to say this change will happen overnight. It’s certainly not to say that it will be

easy. And I don’t believe it will happen ‘magically.’ Rather it will happen when we as

Christians remember our calling and recommit our lives to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and once again develop a passion for God and a longing for the Holy Spirit to transform

our hearts.

I don’t know how much longer God will allow me to serve in his church. I hope I get to

see the fulfillment of God’s promises. But whether I do or not, I promise as long as He

calls me, I will continue to serve his church with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind,

and all my strength. That is the best life I could ever live.

I will be at church on Sunday to see what God does. I hope you’re there, too.

Pastor Marty