-John Moraga
Founder, Conservatives Corner
Pastors & Congregational Leaders,
I implore you: let people know that our congregations are actually hospitals, where our chief doctor is the Great Physician. Yes, our brains/minds need to be fed with sound hermeneutics, but our souls are metastasizing with sin, even within the Body!
Nothing is more inviting to people than tough love. As children we don't like to be disciplined, but how much more are we inclined to keep in touch with our parents as we get older, mainly or partly because they loved us enough to chastise us, in order to spare us from harm and even death? Jesus actually preached more about hell and condemnation than he did about heaven. He was more than blunt with the hypocrisies of the Pharisees, and He was even quick to momentarily name the devil the father of Peter. My point is that Christ is not the long-haired, peace-loving, hippy many modern theologians have tried to portray Him as. "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent" -Revelation 3:19. The same God who enflamed Sodom, also became flesh and turned over the tables of the money-changers. The same God who destroyed the world in the days of Noah because of the plague of sin had to come down to earth and endure tremendous suffering because of the same disease. A quote of mine was recently posted on Facebook, which got a lot of response,
"Do not confuse His long-suffering with infinite patience."
We fight sin constantly. A wondering lustful eye, a covetous heart, and a prideful soul are just some of the contributions to the darkness in our individual lives, which in turn feed a lost society, which then boomerang back to impact our personal lives even more. It is a vicious cycle that has led to the emptying of seats in churches around the country and worldwide, not just yours. The political correctness and passivity of many pastors has led to apathy, and as a result congregations become little more than social clubs that are more concerned about what will be served at the next picnic than triaging their congregants’ souls. We need the spiritual military strength of Joshua and the zeal of Jonah. We need to remind people that the analogy of the Word being a sword should cut through us and it should hurt. We need to be convicted and feel guilt. In our depravity we find Hope. I don't have to tell you that America is quickly moving far away from what she used to be. One president or political cycle is no match for the Adversary who delights in our spiritual apathy.
We don't need you to be a preacher, who sweats and pounds on the pulpit, but some of us (especially some who have become comfortable with their walks) need to be woken up and set aflame! We need to squirm a little more in our seats as we hear convicting messages. The Truths of the Scriptures are not sensitive to "the times." We are in active spiritual warfare and we look to you as the captains of our squadrons. Every new person who walks through the doors of our congregation should feel that they will be equipped with a spiritual M-16 and trained in basic military strategies of repentance, prayer and proper exegesis. Like real basic training, many will not make it, but those who remain will become the core of a spiritual military. Eventually, we can become the holy envy of the community around us and our reputation will precede us. Hopefully, much like the selectivity of the U.S. Air Force or Marines, we will reach a point when we are no longer concerned about numbers, but about the fitness/zeal of those who seek to become a part of our congregation. I don't know how long it will take, but its worth trying this regiment of treatment. In other words: growth should be secondary to strength, but should inevitably become realized as a product of it.
Perhaps, I am more self-reflective than some, but I know I am a wretched soul, who is required to fight the good fight until I breathe my last breath, though I am saved by Grace. I am a commissioned officer of the Great Commission, and I know that sin has lost its meaning and taboo in our times. The devil has become a cute little pitch-forked ACME cartoon sitting on one of Bugs Bunny's shoulders. He's no longer the snake in the Garden or Messiah's tempter in the desert. What better way to execute his plans against those who least suspect his reality and efficacy? The sexual revolution and acid trips of a previous generation has greatly contributed to the moral depravity of my generation, as well as the frequent shooting massacres in the recent generation. Your grandchildren and my children are entering a world of Bruce Jenner’s sexual confusion, Bernie Sanders’ socialism, and overall relativism of ethics. The moral authority of the Bible and Christ's fulfillment of the Law is mocked.
I just personally feel that the churches in our society need a good wake up call, and people will respond to that. Logistical tactics and aesthetic strategies are great to encourage growing a fellowship, but its just my personal conviction that we also need a lot more tough love.
(Credit: Image taken from Life Hope & Truth).