Should We Change the Church to be Relevant? Part 5: What's the real problem?

            Before changing the church, it is worth asking the question “Have we really identified the problem?”  I fear that too often a young minister who is very sincere and truly has a far greater love of souls than I can possibly lay claim to, will enter a church and make a very horrible mistake.  The good young man will come upon a church which has grown very careless about sin, very indifferent about the glories of God, unconcerned with adorning the gospel with good deeds, consumed with bitterness over past fights, always looking for faults now in those who have wronged them before, gossiping behind each others back, jealousy from those who do not hold positions towards those who do, indulging an obsession with the things of the world, and continually attempting to run off those with whom they are displeased.  The young man looks upon this church and sees that very few people desire to come to the church whether they be members or visitors.  Then the young man with a Sunday or two of thought comes to his conclusion.  The church clearly needs a contemporary worship service.  But best to be wise and wait a few Sundays before letting them know.  This young man is about to give this church exactly what they want, something else to take sides and fight about.

We will allow this blog to make its point very briefly.  Do not mistakenly think you can heal a church which is sickened with unrepentant sin by changing methods, strategies, or style.  If we can not see the real problems, our changes will be superficial at best and harmful at worst.  Sin is far more often the problem than style.