The New Church

Through my many studies, I have come to a most disturbing understanding of today's church.  When I say church, I'm refering to the Christian church. It's clear to me that the church is focused on increasing the number of people coming through the font door, rather than building spiritual growth within the church. I call this the "Olsteen" syndrome. Today's evangelist's focus their attention on cultural problems within the congregation, what I mean is that instead of preaching the Word, they continue to address problems of the day. This is not all bad, as long as the Gospel isnt put on the back-burner.  

        I chose to call this the "Olsteen" syndrome because Joel Olsteen only addresses issues on how we can be successful, positive, happy people.   Today's society feels a great comfort to this kind of preaching and this kind of "Mega Church" mentality is quite successful. The new generation of churches eliminate anything that might make a person uncomfortable in an attempt to increase the number of people to attend. Don't get me wrong, I think increasing the number of people to the Lord is important, but it needs to be for all the right reasons. Church's today go as far as selling ticket's for cruises, TV's. This is sad in my view because these people are attending for one reason and one reason only, the prize.

       I recently had the privilege of working at my church full time, and as a staff member, I was exposed to the "Behind closed door" operation of the church. Some of which were very un-christian and very much business like. Most issues were directed to the number of attending people which translated into increased tithing. my church has a attendance of five thousand a weekend, but had very little in the form of spiritual growth for the members that have been their for many years. 

      The reason I'm writing this, is because as a student of the ministry, I feel my position is to preach the Word regardless as to how many people come through the door. Tithing has become a major issue in the church because every pastor seams to have a desire to become the largest church in the nation. Large doesn't always mean good. If the church grows for all the wrong reasons, then our mission is failing.