Is the Church relevant today?
Many churches and denominations are experiencing a steady decline in church attendance and membership. Whenever we speak with individuals and families who haven’t been to church in a long while or those who only attend seasonally, we typically ask them how they are doing. We ask them out of genuine concern about the status of their lives and to see if there are any needs that we as the body of Jesus Christ here at Schoeneck are able to meet. Unbeknownst to us, the answers that are given are typically telling of why the Church, particularly in the western hemisphere, is on a steady decline.
We can often hear the tiredness, the fatigue, and occasional stress as individuals and families express to us just how jammed-packed their schedules are. Thus, making it to worship or participating in a church activity simply isn’t feasible for them. Translation: there is no opening on their schedule for Jesus Christ. Let that sink in for a moment.
This is not a “casting of stones” movement. We have all been there at one point or another. Having been there, however, and understanding the situation doesn’t legitimize the excuses. We are choosing to prioritize everything in the world above Jesus Christ who gave His life for us. This is a conversation the church ought to be having openly. Again, this is not a “casting of stones” but rather diagnosing a problem in hopes that we will be willing to engage in honest dialogue, and we will be willing to seek the Lord’s treatment plan.
This is a spiritual “pandemic” facing many western churches, and it forces us to wrestle with some questions. These are some of the questions we will raise in our sermon series for September 2021. The questions are listed below. We invite you to take some time to ponder these questions in you heart.
Is the Church relevant today?
Can’t I just worship at home by myself permanently? What is the difference between being spiritual and religious? Do we need a church building? Do I really believe in Jesus?
Can a true believer in Jesus really abandon worship? How does this affect our witness, our faith?
When did we become comfortable with putting Christ out of our lives?
Am I willing to change? Am I willing to do and speak about this?
Revs. Garritt and Sanette Fleming, Pastors
Schoeneck Moravian Church 