When in Springfield, MA I came upon an interesting view. It was a huge—and I mean a huge—United Church of Christ (Congregational) with its lawn sign reading “For Rent Call ___-____.”
For rent?
That’s correct. Obviously parishioners had dwindled. There was no more choir. How many choir robes were hanging in that building with no worshipers wearing them? There were Sunday school rooms but no one walked into them any more There was a pulpit but no person preached from it any longer.
This is happening throughout so-called main line denominations. Why? They have forsaken the Bible as the infallible Word of God. They are preaching New Age sermons, humanistic this-and-that, but not the Scriptures as revelation.
Congregational Churches that are evangelical are still hanging on within their denominational framework. They hope to change their denomination. It won’t work. Why? Because the heads don’t believe in God’s Word. The leaders, most of them at least, are apostate. They are liberal in theology and therefore not committed to preaching salvation through Christ. They don’t believe in a hell. They don’t believe in sin. They don’t believe in the devil.
Therefore, these main line congregations are disappearing before our eyes. As in Springfield, their buildings are up for sale or for rent or whatever. It is time. This should have happened long ago when the UCC authorities gave up on Christ as the Incarnate One. Now death is spreading widely and quickly.
It is the same with any religious groups that are giving up on the divine writ. God spoke. He spoke clearly and correctly. For those who do not have faith in that, they are not truly “Christian.” They need to disappear instead of appearing to be what they are in fact not.
As I drove down Springfield’s State Street, I came upon a church lawn sign that read HOW TO WELCOME CHRIST.
I went to the church door and found the young pastor. He is evangelical and has a growing congregation. We talked, having met for the first time, about what is happening in the US concerning worship. He is disheartened at those churches within his own denomination that have lost their ways. But he is encouraged by what he finds in his own sanctuary.
There he has three choirs, youth groups growing and young adults signing up for baptisms. He is preaching the gospel that says one must be saved by faith in Christ, that is, repenting of one’s sins to Christ, then following His holiness. That is so simple a methodology.
Those who follow it find the blessing of heaven upon their ministry. Those who forsake that gospel find themselves as losers.
Driving back down State Street, I came upon an inner city mission: Holy Ground Coffee House. There a man with a doctorate in law and another one in theology holds forth the gospel. It is marvelous to see the street people walk through his front door to discover Christ in His hope and forgiving power.
So it is that when I walked away from the dying United Church of Christ (Congregational) I was lifted up in spirit by clergy who remain loyal to the Bible’s pastoral call. What is happening in that city is taking place throughout America.
True Christians: remain true to the Word. Keep praying.
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Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 2012 the individual authors.
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 2012 the individual authors.
