Mainline Churches Are Dying--May They Rest In Peace!
“Money woes continue to dog the mainline denominations.” That’s the first line in a World Magazine article from April 8 highlighting what has been a trend for the past two decades or more; namely, “mainline denominations” are suffering from declining memberships which of course impacts financial stability.
Actually this is very good news. Why? I’m glad you asked. Mainline churches are those which have a contemporary history of abandoning their formerly Biblical roots adopting a religion of culture rather than a faith built upon the clearly revealed heart and mind of God in the Scriptures. Thankfully, over time, people realize that they are not getting God’s inerrant “TRUTH” and counsel for life but are getting a watered down version of inspired revelation with only remnants here and there (at best) of life changing truth.
In disgust, life long members of the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Congregational Church, United Church of Christ and the Lutheran church (except for the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) are jumping ship looking for something they can rely on; a world view grounded in something greater than the winds of popular sentiment.
Locally, the Morning Sentinel recently ran a front page story of the problems of increased heating costs which have hampered churches in the area. Not surprisingly, the churches mentioned as struggling financially are those mentioned in the national story and not one Bible believing denomination was mentioned. While these churches have been cutting staff and ministries, our church has been able to help out many families this year with heating oil subsidies.
I know these kinds of things get me into hot water with the listening public but the truth is the truth. Jesus is the One who said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
And the one thing all the mainline churches have in common is they have trampled, ignored or changed many portions of Biblical truth to fit their own cultural, moral, sexual, and lifestyle preferences. What is called an “open and affirming” church is just a euphemism for churches that have no understanding of what it means to love the Lord and to show that love by obeying Him. Jesus may be welcome as the always affirming Savior but there is only one Lord in the church and its members see him or her every time they look in the mirror.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'” Matthew 7:22-23
Don’t take it up with me; It’s Jesus’ call and He is not ambiguous.
Actually this is very good news. Why? I’m glad you asked. Mainline churches are those which have a contemporary history of abandoning their formerly Biblical roots adopting a religion of culture rather than a faith built upon the clearly revealed heart and mind of God in the Scriptures. Thankfully, over time, people realize that they are not getting God’s inerrant “TRUTH” and counsel for life but are getting a watered down version of inspired revelation with only remnants here and there (at best) of life changing truth.
In disgust, life long members of the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Congregational Church, United Church of Christ and the Lutheran church (except for the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) are jumping ship looking for something they can rely on; a world view grounded in something greater than the winds of popular sentiment.
Locally, the Morning Sentinel recently ran a front page story of the problems of increased heating costs which have hampered churches in the area. Not surprisingly, the churches mentioned as struggling financially are those mentioned in the national story and not one Bible believing denomination was mentioned. While these churches have been cutting staff and ministries, our church has been able to help out many families this year with heating oil subsidies.
I know these kinds of things get me into hot water with the listening public but the truth is the truth. Jesus is the One who said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
And the one thing all the mainline churches have in common is they have trampled, ignored or changed many portions of Biblical truth to fit their own cultural, moral, sexual, and lifestyle preferences. What is called an “open and affirming” church is just a euphemism for churches that have no understanding of what it means to love the Lord and to show that love by obeying Him. Jesus may be welcome as the always affirming Savior but there is only one Lord in the church and its members see him or her every time they look in the mirror.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'” Matthew 7:22-23
Don’t take it up with me; It’s Jesus’ call and He is not ambiguous.
posted by PB at 1:13 PM
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