As we traveled on our Great Commission trip through Wyoming, a bit of Montana and South Dakota, we talked to several people about the bride of Christ. No surprise to me and Sharon, even people who beleive in JESUS no longer go to Church, because politics has become a big part of many Churches. PLUS! As Scott Slayton reports below To skip church is a regular thing now. I have said for the last 4 years, PEOPLE DO NOT GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE, you have to invite them, pick them up, you have to go where they are at! I was deeply sadden awhile back when I preached at a Church and asked the folks if they invited anyone to Church…..not a one raised their hand. Too many Christians have become lazy and comfortable, too many have become what I call, ‘coffee clubs.’ Too many folks that proclaim to be Christians do not even know what THE GREAT COMMISSION IS!!!! To me, a healthy Church is baptizing people on a regular basis and raising them up to be mature Christians, not these ‘drive by’ baptisims that many get excited about and then do no follow up with the newly baptized, leaving them in the dust. If a Church is not baptizing people and not helping raise up mature Christians it is not a healthy Church. Dr. Jim Denison has a very good report on politics and Christians: Former CIA director calls GOP the most “dangerous” political force in the world
From Scott Slayton in CHURCHLEADERS:
In the last several years, observers of American church life have noted that the definition of a regular church attendee is changing. To skip church is a regular thing now. With increasing affluence, mobility, commitments and entertainment options, many Christians gather with their church family less often than they did 10 years ago. Previously, a regular church attendee was a person who “only” gathered with their church one time a week. Now a regular attendee is a person who may attend twice a month.
FGGAM STATEMENT OF FAITH:
God’s Word is the final authority for faith and life.
as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.