On Wednesday mornings, I meet with a group of pastors from a variety of denominations to pray together and entreat God to move in a powerful way in the Bay area. Our goals are to encourage each other in ministry and pray. I have been praying with this crew for over twelve years now and they have become dear co-laborers with me. Last week, one of the pastors asked what we thought the future of the church in America would be. We shared a variety of outlooks and responses to that questions, but it would behoove all of us to think about the future of the church in America.
Before I shared my thoughts, I will preface my comments by stating that I am NOT a prophet, nor is this a prophecy. I have not heard some direct word from the Lord to pass on to you. As I look at what is happening in our culture, this is my assessment of where the church is heading. Please feel free to disagree, but don't discount what you read in this post.
The ultimate realization the church in America must make is that we live in a pagan culture. No longer does out culture reinforce the values of the church, but it is moving in quite the opposite direction. The things that we value because of our faith in Christ are now becoming ridiculed and marginalized. Time and again, we see cultural shifts in morality that are not only against the truth of Scripture, but are labeled as "evil" in the Bible. However, the pagan culture embraces those evil values and is seeking to normalize those values. This spiral simply continues to keep increasing with each proclivity that is normalized and glorified in our culture.
I believe one of two directions will take place for the church in our culture. Direction #1 appears to be the most likely to happen. As our government continues to remove liberties and freedoms in America, they will begin to try to control the message of the church. They will begin to pass laws as to what can and cannot be said in public and private settings. There will be guidelines that churches must follow if they are to continue to have any standing in the culture. The progression look something like this: The IRS/Federal government will have to be given a list of the "board of directors" of the church. The church will not be allowed to discuss or support political causes or candidates. The church will have to sign a document pledging to not discuss certain topics or only discuss them in the culturally accepted terms. Any church which refuses to do this will: Have their tax exempt status removed. If they continue, the church will be fined. If they continue, the board of directors will be fined. If they continue, they will have their property taken. If they continue, their pastor will face criminal or civil charges. Does that sound possible? So this will lead to two churches in America. One option will be the church which has government approval: This church will maintain tax exempt status along with other benefits, but they will be very restricted in what can be preached from the pulpit with scrutiny and oversight by the government. The second option will be the underground church: This church will meet in homes and in clandestine settings, know they will face repraisels for these meetings. However, they will freely preach and teach the Word. They will see this church grow in strength, even if she drops in number. They will see powerful movements of the Holy Spirit. As you can probably tell, I will be a part of the underground church.
The second directions seems less likely, but it is still possible. America is headed for a massive economic collapse. The continual over-printing of money along with a huge debt will cause a major economic upheaval. Right now, the US dollar is the international currency of trade. Other countries have had a vested interest in keeping the dollar strong, even though this is a shell game. If the other countries decide to make China's currency or the Euro or the Russians currency the international currency, the collapse of America's economy will be quick and total. Whenever countries begin to lose power, they look for scapegoats. In the past, two groups have always been looked at as scapegoats: The Church and the Jewish people. So as America degenerates from being a world power to a country on the brink of collapse, the church will become the focus of persecution. The membership roles of churches will be utilized to round up Christians and systematically force them into labor camps or internment camps. Once again, the church will have to move underground. It will be a death sentence to go to church buildings, so the church will meet in homes and be clandestine in her activities. She won't become quiet, but will become less institutional. .
Please understand, I am not discounting an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and revival breaking out in America. That is truly our only hope for America to remain a force in the modern world. Already, other countries are minimizing and marginalizing America. Russia is ready to invade Crimea with no fear of what America will do. Iran continues to ramp up their nuclear activity with no concern about the impact of America or the UN. World events show a remarkably quick fall America is having from the world stage. So politicians cannot change this fall. Financial institutions can't change this fall. Even the church cannot change this fall. Only a movement of God that brings revival and purity to the church can change this fall.
You may think this sounds pessimistic, but it really isn't. For the past 275 years, the church in America has had it relatively easy. The culture has been supportive of the church and the church actually gave leadership and wisdom to our country. But the church has become complacent and too immersed in the culture. We have forgotten to be salt and light, instead becoming enablers of sin and entertainment. The church tries to put on a good show each Sunday morning to draw in the "unchurched", but there is little depth and devotion. God has always allowed persecution to purify the church. That is why we have been going through the book of I Peter, in preparation for the purification God has in mind for His church in America. Persecution and suffering are often the greatest tools of revival in the life of the Church. Jesus told us in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, keep in my that it hated me first", and in Matthew 10:22, "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
So are you ready to go underground? Are you ready to face persecution without compromising your faith? Are you ready to never let your faith go underground as you look at a new paradigm of church in America? Maybe I am totally wrong and off-base with this look at the future. I pray that I am wrong...but what..if..I...am...right? Are you ready?
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