Going ,Going ,Gone

In a recent article the closing of local Churches that go back over 100 year was highlighted. This has to be seen as truly tragic and a sign of the changing reality. In my time I have witnessed the decline of the Churches importance in local life to being a museum of what people did back in the day. Now many small rural Churches are either dying off , or used as a burial and maybe marrying sites.But as far as a vibrant worshiping Church , many have barely enough people to even keep them open.

Now we are seeing more and more close their doors . Going back only a little over 20 years ,the field which my Father-in-law ministered has closed 2 churches. There are many others that have shut their doors . The reasons are many and in some cases , population changes played a real part and the ever increasing secular world that sees faith as a waste of time and dumb,all contributed to the decline.However ultimately its God who has removed His blessing for He is sovereign .

If one looks statistically at the Churches that are growing and at the very least healthy are the ones who still preach the word of God .They proclaim the cross of Christ, the exclusivity of the Christian faith , believe that the Bible is the word of God , hold to the great doctrines of the faith. They preach the horrible realities of sin and hell    hand and hand with the love of God found in Jesus Christ and Him alone. Why should God bless His Church when it no longer is a true Church.

If one looks at the denominations that are shrinking rapidly, including the ones that were mentioned in the paper , all have drifted and embraced  open sin . From a denial of God's teaching on womens roles ,to acceptance of homosexuality , rejecting large portions of the Bible etc.. these Churches by their closures and decline ,show a judgement of God. In Revelation 2 Jesus pronounces that He would remove the lamp stand of the Church if it no longer was a valid Church. So it is a clear removing of God's blessing.

Granted at times a Church needs to be pruned and if certain members leave because the gospel is being preached clearly , then that can be a healthy long term thing. But sadly , the very thing that is needed ,repentance and a return to the Lord has not happened and the doors have closed .

But no matter what happens may we take heart with these words from our Lord ,  [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.(Matthew 16:18 ESV)  Amen.