The church has contributed to its own demise because it has tried to be relevant. With the rise of mega churches that are nothing more than religious corporations; churches that have entrenched the Pastor CEO concept; churches that are not a church unless they have a “church” building; churches that are programme rather than relationship orientated; churches that have spawned a philosophy that God is in business to make you rich; churches that have God running around to do their bidding.
All these are mirrors of secular life be it corporate or social. Secular humanism has spawned a religion of self where man is the centre of the universe and everything and everyone is there to serve his needs.
Let us fast back (not forward) to the New Testament era which could not be clearer about where it stood when it came to relationships.
“Those that want to be great must become servants.”
“Take care of the less fortunate (good Samaritan).”
“The way down is the way up.”
“Take up your cross.”
“Die daily.”
“Don’t lord it over others.”
“Serve one another.”
“Younger men submit to older men.”
“Give away all you have and follow me.”
No where will you find a promise that if you enter full time service (an unknown concept in the New Testament) you will be paid a salary, given an all expenses paid car, a house and three meals a day.
No where will you find a promise that if you enter full time service, you will be given a car parking place next to the front door of the church building.
No where will you find a promise that if you enter full time service, you will be given a seat at the top table and be waited on.
No where will you find a promise that if you enter full time service, you will have the right to do the preaching 52 weeks a year (another unknown concept in the New Testament).
What you are asked to do is take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. That, may I say, makes a lot of people cross as it interferes with their plans to be rich and famous and comfortable and successful and popular and well educated and respectable.
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