In the past few months my wife and I have been travelling to towns across the Australian Outback. As we travel, we visit local churches for the purpose of making connections and encouraging the locals as they follow Christ.
On this trip we have noticed several troubling trends in the churches. But there is also a way that these can be turned around.
Pastor burnout
In a number of churches, it was clear that the pastors are burnt out. We are also told that in those states where there are regional chaplaincy programs, burnout is an issue for chaplains as well. Many of these men and women are suffering from mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual stress.
This is not surprising considering the issues that exist in the world today. It is especially difficult in regional towns as they have had to deal with floods, bush fires, drought, economic issues, and of course all of the fallout from the COVID crisis.
The problem is that the congregations bring all of this stress to these people of God, and those who are in pastoral care take it on themselves. The congregations are seeking answers but cannot find them. Many of the ministers are struggling to help because there is an even deeper and more troubling trend in the church affecting their ability to deal with problems.
Where is the scripture?
As we visit churches we have been disturbed at the lack of use of scriptures and the Bible during church services. Some places don’t even encourage the congregation to bring their bibles to meetings.
Sermons are preached where perhaps one scripture is used, sometimes none, and often not even discussed. One church we visited built a sermon on clips from a Disney Pixar movie rather than using the Bible.
So, if the bible is not being used in church, how are the people being fed the spiritual food they need to grow in the Lord to be able to deal with the significant problems surrounding them?
The truth
Jesus said that He came to bear witness to the truth. (John chapter 18, verse 37) When we study the truth, we learn that the truth will make us free. (John chapter 8, verse 32) We also learn that the truth is the word of God as Jesus said;
“Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.” (John chapter 17, verse 17)
Understanding the truth is essential because when we understand the word of God, which is the word of truth, we gain insight to see us through any and all circumstances.
Consider the example of Jesus Christ Himself. When He was tempted in the wilderness for forty days, how did He overcome all of the tests that the devil threw at Him?
He answered EVERY temptation with the word of God and with scripture. In each test Jesus responded with scripture saying, “It is written…” (see Matthew chapter 4, verses 1-11)
The armour of God
Remember also that we have been given the armour of God to help us face any and every situation. We must put on the whole armour of God, part of which is to be girded with the truth.
Also, to fight against the wiles of the devil just as Jesus did, we are given the sword of the Spirit.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians chapter 6, verse 17)
It is not the Holy Spirit that is the sword, but the word of God, which is the truth. But the spirit can only wield the sword when He is armed with the word of God.
And that’s our job.
The task of all Christians
Our task in Christ Jesus is to be filled with the word of God. We need to be immersed in God’s word and to absorb it so that when we are put in testing situations, or under stress due to the issues mentioned above, we have the answers.
All of the issues of this life are answered by the truth of the word of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But we have to learn it to arm the Spirit who will wield the sword on our behalf.
Overcoming the troubling trends in the church
Many of God’s people are not being fed the word by their pastors and ministers in the church. And we are finding that those ministers have likewise not been fed by those who trained them.
As a consequence, they are falling and failing because it is only by knowing the truth of the word of God through studying the scriptures that we can face the issues of this life.
I urge everyone to get deep into their Bible studies and learn the truth. If you are not being fed from the scriptures in church, as we have seen recently, then seek for yourself. Read, study, meditate, and pray over the scriptures diligently and the Lord will open them up.
Get together with others to study the Bible too as you can all learn lessons from one another. And look to Jesus in all things. This is how we will overcome these troubling trends and grow to maturity in Jesus Christ.