Poll: The Church of Jesus Christ 2006

I picked rock music, conforming to worldy standards, and other by which I mean too many Arminian dispensationalists.

 

Not embracing Sola Scriptura and allowing liberal theology to creep into the Church under the disguise of Conservative political ideology (Pat Robertson would be a prime example of this).

Joseph Botwinick

 

Can't argue with that.

I didn't even see personal bible study on the poll.

 

Even though I selected 3 options, IMHO, conforming to the world is the primary cause of most of the ills of the church. It is this problem that allows false doctrines to creep into the church, keeps churches from standing firm in the teachings of scripture, allows for acceptance of homosexuality and other evils as normal behavior, etc.

In 1 Jo 2:15, we are told "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.". Yet we continue to let the world in to the church. How is this done? Well, by allowing the attitudes of non-believers to influence the manner in which the church performs it mission. While avoiding this pitfall may require a subjective judgement, if all are guided by the scriptures then there should be no problem. When the scriptures speak of a thing, either for or against it, then the church must follow that teaching; it must not try to adjust the meanings of scripture in order to avoid "hurting feelings" or "avoid using the name Baptist because it has a bad connotation--by that is generally meant that non-Baptists disagree with Baptistic beliefs (such as Christ is the only way to salvation) and would criticize the denomination because it holds to them". If the scriptures are silent about a thing, then the church should be silent. Conformation to the world causes the church to become as sounding brass, without the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Remember, the church should be a "house of worship". We cannot worship God if His Spirit is not present. We cannot worship Him, when we bring pagers and cell phones into church. We cannot worship God when services are eaten up by non-spiritual announcements. We cannot worship God if we are busily drinking coffee, water or any other beverage during services. Worship of God demands that we put aside the things of the world, and think on Him only.

 

I chose lukewarmness and conforming to worldly standards. I also chose other because lack of spiritual depth was not listed. I believe that is one of the biggest problems we have in the church todays and results in the other choices listed in the poll.

 

I chose...

Rock Music / CCM, Conforming to Worldly Standards/Morals, and Too much entertainment, not enough Bible thumping

 

I only chose one - lukewarmness.

 

Biggest problem with the church is 'me'. (I would have said 'you', but I know myself better.) While we moan and groan about the state of the 'church', what are 'we' individually doing about it?

 

While there are a lot of problems with 'the church' as we seem to perceive it, when Barry and I meet with individual Christians, which happened last night when a young couple came to dinner with their baby, we are still grateful to God and amazed at the fire for the Lord and the hunger for learning which is in His followers even now, regardless of which church they attend.

Because Christians in America are not under any form of real persecution, I think there are a good many who are nominal Christians only, for whatever reason, and not real followers of Christ. But no matter where we go, no matter which country or what language or what part of the United States, the Lord brings us into contact with people who really, totally love the Lord and are hungry for His Word and growing in Him.

Jesus Christ's church -- the one HE is building -- seems quite healthy! It's the organizations run by men in His name which are having the problems, at least from what I can see.

 

Well, in my church it's
1. Memebers not pitching in
2. Not Enough leaders
3. Other - little communication when it's needed most; coordination

 

wow...only three huh?

I choose Laodecia, not reaching enough people for Christ and too many hypocrites.

 

I say all the above!

 

Being a club rather than a hospital.

 

I picked Rock/CCM - Social Program - Worldly Standards.

The church is bringing the world into it rather than spreading out to the world. This is evident in the music change over the last 3 decades and even more in the last few years. Hip-Hop in the sanctuary?

Church is fast becoming a meeting hall for dinners, babysitters club, and gaming center.

No longer a thing of Go and sin no more, but rather 'God loves you just the way you are.'

 

Well, we have only had one Sunday in 2006 and I think our church did just fine. We had three services on Sunday, a Baptismal Service, lots of committee meetings, orchestra practice, deacons' meeting We met our Lottie Moon Offering goal and more, planned our Valentine Dinner, Raising money to send two of our members on a Mission Trip to Germany, prayed for rain as requested by our Governor, Childrens missions and music and prayer groups met

Seriously, I don't know anything about other churches than my own. However, the pastor did point out that our county in OKlahoma has the lowest ratio of number of people attending church in Oklahoma Counties. Therefore, we need to increase our outreach and witnessing programs, which we are planning to do.

 

Evangelism of any kind outside the confines of the church building is in short supply.

 

Music is worldly; any kind. And no song that we can sing came from heaven; it was written here on earth. Even if the words are close to what was directly inspired, we are not given any melody of any kind. And the scriptures do not say use guitars, drums, and synthesizers; but they also do not say to use pianos and organs.