The Church . . . Good, Bad, or Indifferent?

             In reality, the local church can be all three, but not at the same time. We could say, as Jesus observed the early church, that it is either cold, hot, or lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). He did not like a lukewarm church—it made Him nauseous!
            Why does the church—its flesh and blood—tend to drift toward becoming lukewarm? I will voice my conviction, not my opinion: The church is lukewarm, therefore indifferent, due to a number of reasons:

1. A lack of strong leadership;
2. A lack of sound doctrine; and,
3. A lack of solid exegesis and biblical exposition from the pulpit.

          Unfair? Not really, if you consider all the things I have observed over four decades of pastoral leadership. Leadership involves more than preaching a sermon or two each week. It requires the pastor to exhibit certain administrative skills in order to give good leadership in the area of finances. For example, if your church has debt you can lead them to a lower interest rate, if available, in order to lower the present payment.
          You should also work with your church leadership to put a plan in place to liquidate the existing debt in order to have greater resources for ministry. The sheep look to the Shepherd as you seek wisdom and direction from the Master Shepherd.
          Leadership is taxing and even at times frustrating. Ask Moses; with all he went through he stayed the course. Did he do everything right? NO, yet he led when he thought he couldn't.
          Why do so many not lead? One word: FEAR. Leading involves making changes and making changes involves difficulty at times. But change is imperative if the church is going to move beyond a state of indifference and being lukewarm. We cannot sit on idle and still think we are moving.
          Passivity never accomplished anything. Be willing for the Lord God to use you to be a change agent. Be biblical; be Godly; be strong. In summation, be willing to be used by the Father to the maximum of your God given ability. If God has called you to pastoral leadership, He has gifted you to be a leader.
          Read Joshua 1:1-9 and choose to be a courageous leader for the glory of God and lead your church to pursue a hot heart for Kingdom work.