A few months ago I sat in a church service and the pastor speaking enthusiastically asked the congregation “are we an alive church?!” and got an underwhelming response (both times he asked). In my head I genuinely said “we are definitely not, but you are very alive for Christ, sir”. What is going on with us [the church]?

I would like to clarify before I begin, that I am speaking of churches as a whole here. We travel enough that we get to visit other churches, and one of my questions when catching up with friends is “how is church / how are you spiritually?”. So the insight goes beyond our home church.

I don’t know when it all began to happen, but somewhere in the last 5 years, it feels as though churches have fallen asleep. We could blame C0V!D for shutting down mid week gatherings or groups volunteering in the community (and getting comfortable with only giving money instead). Perhaps we got too comfortable within our “trusted social circles”, and so chose not to expand beyond them. But I think there is something else going on; I think there has been a spiritual state of sleep over our churches and their congregations for a few years now. It’s like we have become the Church in Sardis mentioned in Revelations 3 “… I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead...”

We show up on a Sunday. And that’s it. There is no church outside of Sunday. Sometimes we only show up on a Sunday when we are scheduled in ministry and then take the other Sunday’s off for our other interests. OVERALL (as in, not all the time, but most of the time) there is no midweek prayer groups, no digging into the word together to grow deeper as individuals and as a community in Christ. There is no mens group connecting and keeping each other accountable on hard topics. There is no experienced parents guiding new ones through the trench years. There is no passing on of knowledge and blessings from older generations to young ones. There is no village support outside of “in dire distress” moments. What has happened to the hands and arms of Christ in the church?

Every so often I will look at what weekday groups churches in our area are offering. I find it helpful for when we have been asked “do you know of a ladies group? A youth group? A singles/divorced individual social group? A grief support group?”. The last time I did a quick search I saw a decrease in the weekday groups within churches. It is quite the predicament because weekday groups are often a good place for newcomers to connect. They are a social place for those living alone, but mostly it should be a space where we should be growing together outside of a Sunday sermon. On the flip side, I have previously spent years in ministry and so I know how tiring it can be to prepare for a weekday group and have no one show up, or have people show up not having read the study chapter to actively participate. It can get to us, especially when we are giving up time with our family. Why is the congregation not showing up? Why are we so caught up in our lives that we can’t extend our time to the church?

I almost feel there is a sense of “approved lukewarm living”. I don’t know where it has come from but it’s definitely there. I speak for myself. I am part of the choir I am preaching to. In waiting for others to step up and lead, I got bitter. I got tired of waiting “a few more months” for a study to start. I felt let down and frustrated. In my bitterness I allowed myself to stay lukewarm. I wanted to be part of a group for accountability and growth but I was ignoring God’s prompting to dive into His word on my own. That kept me lukewarm and stationary in my spiritual growth.

I got tired of postponed meals and cancelations and so I gave up on trying to get others to want to have meals together. Or to have coffee and pray together, even to do small studies to sharpen each other in the word. I gave up on socializing on a Sunday because “what’s the point? No one wants biblical community”. And that anger kept me in a lukewarm [and unkind] state. I am/was part of the very problem I hated seeing taking over. I recall getting prayer for my anger at our home church a few months ago and I am so glad I yielded to that Holy Spirit prompting to go up at the altar call. It really has helped me to once again have a heart for those around me, and it lit a desire in me to dig into the word alone until others choose to join in.

What does the bible say about the importance of community? A lot, actually. Below are a few specific verses. But we see the act of community in not only how people have lived, but in how Jesus and the Apostles conducted their ministries. Community plays a big role in our faith as Christinas.

Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 12:25-27
“That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

1 Peter 4:8-10
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

So where do we go from here? I’m not sure. I am going to continue to lay down my own opinions because God has them [church congregations]. They are not mine to be concerned over. I’m going to keep yielding to God’s guidance on what steps I need to take in my spiritual walk and clean up all the things that are impeding my growth. But mostly I am going to live my life as an example for those who want to exit their lukewarm years. The bible calls us to be lights (Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven..”). The only way we can do that is by submerging ourselves in the Word and in His presence. All eyes on Him and no longer on those around me.

If you would like to follow along on some of the bible studies I will be doing, feel free to check in on my youtube.

Ashley –