The American Church is not OK, Part I by John Avant

I’m a big fan of Forrest Frank even though I don’t particularly enjoy his style of music.  But this man has demonstrated humility, boldness, and the character that we need as a role model for our children and grandchildren.  I am thankful for him and his music!  

His song “Okay” has become a massive hit:

“Lord, I'm just grateful that I got to wake up today

You take my worries and hurries and fade 'em to grey

You have good plans for me, that's what You say

That's how I know everything is gonna be

Okay”

Good stuff. 

But everything is not OK with the American Church. 

For the next several Mondays, I’m going to write about this. 

It’s important that we understand what the word “okay” even means from a Christian perspective.  I’ll write about that next week.

But for now it’s important for me, and for everyone concerned about the American church to be sure our concerns come from Spirit-filled and not anger-filled hearts. 

I’m continually stunned by the number of people bearing deep wounds from their experiences with churches in this country. 

I am one of them.

In fact, it’s pretty rare that I talk to a pastor who has not been seriously wounded by a church! 

My wife loves to remind me that while discernment can be biblical, cynicism is sinful when it comes to the Church. 

Because the Church is the bride of Christ!

And even when she doesn’t look the way she should or act the way she should, she is still His bride.

It’s not a good idea to attack someone’s bride!

Especially when the bride belongs to Jesus!

So let’s approach this as those who love the church and want to heal her not beat her up. 

Let’s not act like the situation in the American church today is new or worse than it’s ever been. Many of the churches in the New Testament were arguably more messed up. The church of Corinth was getting drunk at the Lord’s supper and dealing with incest in the church! (1 Corinthians 5 and 11). They would be on the top of the list of church scandals if they were an American church today. 

The problem is not new or worse than ever. 

The problem is that we are missing what the church could be. 

And what it is in many parts of the world today.  Especially in places where there is severe persecution, the church is bold, centered on mission, united in love, and exploding in growth. 

We need this again in this country more than we need the air we breathe!

We can have it! 

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬-‭47‬ ‭

This is what the church is meant to be. This is what the church can be because it comes from the power of the Spirit not from the power of pastors, deacons or committees. 

That means massive change in a church can happen very quickly.

This is what we call revival!

Read 1 Thessalonians 1. Paul says that the gospel was spreading to the known world through the Thessalonian believers. But here’s what you may not know - 

They had only been followers of Christ for about six months! 

And they were already changing the world.

Jesus loves his bride. There is tremendous hope for the American Church. 

We can see revival again. Revival that will make the American church a force for the gospel again. A force for good in our entire culture.  

So I’ll try to help us think and pray through this in the weeks ahead. 

But make no mistake about it - the American Church is not okay. 

And the ramifications of that can be very serious. 

Even though Jesus loves the church, his patience with us is not unlimited:

“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬