As we look at the church scene at the end of the millennium, what do we see? Perhaps the most obvious thing is movement. We are in a constant state of flux. A characteristic of the closing years of this century has been the mobile nature of the population. People move from their places of birth to study, to work, to retire or just for a change of scene. The coming of the motor car means also that it is not that unusual on a Sunday for regulars to be away or for visitors to be present.
This mobility is reflected in the way thinking in society and in the churches seems to always be changing. Few, it seems, stay with the grouping they were born into. New groupings seem to spring up all the time. The movement is on several fronts. Some are shaking off the cautious traditions they have grown up with while others are retreating from the wild enthusiasm of their own background. Often they are able to meet on common ground but sometimes the union does not last. Inevitably there is much confusion and constant alteration.
The very word Grace exemplifies this. For many, Grace churches are conservative, hymn singing, traditional churches. For others, they are chorus singing extremists with no time for tradition. Although the Grace Directory lists only churches holding to the doctrines of grace a mere glance at the hymn books used (Gadsby, Redemption, Mission Praise, etc) reveals much variety in approach. Further, the attempt to place churches into recognisable ‘camps’, although often done, is doomed to failure. Eclecticism, the pick and mix approach, is a parallel feature of society and the churches today. One cannot assume that because a minister listens to Al Martin tapes or takes The Bible League Quarterly he will not read from the NIV. Because a congregation sings psalms it does not mean they will necessarily have no time for Graham Kendrick.
More specifically …
We see many encouraging things
Following the resurgence of experiential Calvinism in the middle of the century we see many churches with a strong commitment to Reformed teaching. We see many well established churches, conservative in doctrine but contemporary in approach, reaching out faithfully to their local communities. There is an educated ministry that, for the most part, understands its calling. Many ministers have faithfully served their churches for 10, 20, sometimes 30 years. In many churches there are serious minded, committed people who have seriously thought through the issues of the day and are endeavouring to make a stand for truth. There are many young people in the churches – energetic, enthusiastic, eager for the Word. Despite all our problems at home, missionaries are still going out to serve in difficult and demanding situations overseas.
The resources at our command are amazing. The amount of good solid literature available to the average pastor is phenomenal. The advent of the Internet and the amazing CD Rom is transforming the ease with which the Bible and good literature are accessed. There is a PhD waiting to be done on the impact of computer technology on evangelical preaching and literature. Not only is there plenty for ministers to read but plenty for ‘the man in the pew’ as he used to be called too. Children’s literature is perhaps our weakest area but even in that area there is good material. There are a large number of good magazines too bringing news of God’s people from all over the world and all sorts of other helps.
There are a number of excellent conferences and holiday gatherings too where, at various levels, God’s people can benefit from excellent ministry from around the world. The development of the cassette tape for audio and video is also having its impact. Meanwhile the computer has made available helps for people on a more localised level so that by means of handouts, booklets, sermon notes, newsletters etc, a great deal of good is being done. One area where technology of various sorts continues to have an impact is on our singing. The variety of good material available is once again stunning.
Then think of evangelism. There is a great deal going on at many levels. Think of the door to door, tract giving, special meetings in churches and homes, camps, beach missions, etc, going on. Think of the heroic church planting that has become a feature of this latter half of the century.
We see many discouraging things
One is reluctant to say it but in a society that is collapsing before our very eyes, there is a negative side. As divorce, abortion, rebellion and vileness of various sorts continue to grow, following the rejection of God’s Law, we inevitably see the consequences in society and, sadly, in the churches too. While the radio and TV continue to gush out pro-evolutionary lies, increasingly coarse humour and vapid nonsense there seems to be little place for well argued biblical creationism, Christian ethics or even wholesome entertainment. When the media is drawn to the church it is to gaze at the unbiblical, worldly minded, man centred, sensation seeking emptiness of what they choose to call ‘evangelicalism’ or to mock the often misguided excesses of what they call ‘fundamentalism’.
Even the better churches often leave a good deal to be desired. They are mostly small, with less than 50 members. Many have an elderly membership and many do not have pastors. Nowhere near enough men are being prepared for future ministry. We are struggling to fill the pulpits we have and there is a vast need for church planters. Too many churches want to soft-pedal doctrine and are not really convinced of the efficacy of preaching or prayer. We are constantly being side-tracked on to secondary issues and the hunt for the ‘wonder cure’ that will get us out of this mess. Is the answer all night prayer meetings, an AV in every home, the rediscovery of the traditional Sabbath or for men to give up wearing ties to church? No, the one answer is to look to the Sovereign God alone.
There is plenty to distress when we look around at the spiritual state of the churches. However, when we think of the situation at the beginning of the century – swamped by nominalism, riddled with modernism, already sidelined as irrelevant – we can only praise the Lord that he has been so merciful and blessed us in so many ways. And when we think of all that has happened in other parts of the world in that time too we are amazed.
‘How good is the God we adore … we praise him for all that is passed and trust him for all that’s to come.’
This article first appeared in Grace Magazine in 1999
