Ask Pastor Mark, Are You Discouraged With The Church? Page 4

On page 4 we continue our conversation about how some people have become discouraged with the Church these last days.

The Church is established for two main purposes, here is the second reason -

1 CORINTHIANS 12:28

"And in the Church GOD has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues."

Perfect Churches don't exist, at least they don't the moment I begin to attend Services there. I remember a burnt out Pastor friend of mine told me that Heaven would be perfect if Christians were not going to be there! The people he had been sent to serve had beat him up so badly that he could no longer remain in the ministry. The sad thing is that for every Pastor that burns out, there are large numbers of Church members that no longer attend any Church. Bad feelings go both directions when the Church gets out of balance in their ministry direction and focus.

Let's be very clear on one thing, for every bad Church, there are many thousands of good Churches fulfilling GOD'S calling and purpose in the world today. I know of one Church that donates over $1,000,000.00 a year in effective evangelism. The absolute majority of Pastors and Elders love the people they have been called to serve and joyfully sacrifice for them. The majority of the members of the Church of CHRIST are learning to love the LORD as their First Love and learning to love each other as well.

Don't give up on the Church, don't live in rebellion to GOD. If the Church you have been attending is off course, teaching out of books other then the Bible for example, find another Church near your home. The LORD has a Church Body just for you, and after all, it is a Command to seek fellowship with HIS people.

Hebrews 10:25

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."