Relocating to a larger metropolitan area has had its rewards and challenges. One of the challenges I had not anticipated was finding a church home.  It’s been almost 4 months now and what I thought would be too many churches to choose from has been not one that meets my simple expectations. Solid children’s ministry, reasonable commute (since I’m active throughout the week), sound doctrine being preached and evidence of the great commission are my primary criteria.  While I’ve been blessed to experience one or two of the criteria, I have yet to experience all of them in one place. Sadly enough, it’s been tough to get the opinion of others residing here, because many of the ones I’ve surveyed, in dealing with the same struggles have given up and resorted to staying at home, watching t.v. ministry or perhaps doing nothing at all.

This morning while riding to work a few thoughts crossed my mind.  Is a big church, known for it’s free programs and jamming choir but also known for it’s lackluster leaders better? Are sometimey saints who snuff the life out of new converts who join with fire burning to begin ministry but are kept at bay because Sis. So n’ So been “running” these activities-is this better?  When guest preachers, speakers and soloists come for revival or special services, these churches boast of “standing room only” but when scholars are brought in to teach discipleship and leadership in the church, attendance does not represent 5% of the active church membership?

What is the “big” church doing to attract members?  Better yet, what is it doing to retain them?  Frankly, speaking what is happening to distract new members? Is anyone taking note and adjusting where necessary? So many committees initiate for a good cause but turn into cliques that weed out others and form barriers for no additional entry.  Our gifts are to make room for us but yet there are obvious signs that some would be more comfortable if we used our gifts somewhere else.

In history, the church grew from opposition. Today, I believe the church Christ intended is dying from opposition. Those who love the Lord have grown discouraged by the enemy’s tactics and schemes within the confines of the church.  In many instances, the numbers maybe growing or remaining static but the growing  church has become the safe place for “meeting up” and hosting “red carpet” affairs but less effective in winning souls to Christ. It’s interesting that while many church buildings exist on every corner, crime continues to rise in mass numbers.  For many who have been willing to come into the fold, cliques have placed barriers for entry in many of the ministries in the church. The following passage is one in which the actions of cliques are forbidden in the bible:

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?…..¹² So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. ¹³ There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (James 2:1-4, 12-13)

I’ve encouraged some not to quit yet I continue to see the devastating effects on those who stay and try to maneuver through the cliques.  A mature faith that teaches you who your true adversary is must be allowed to develop within the church. A person just coming into the fold looking for refuge from a world that’s dealt them hard knocks will not have the strength or spirit to wage war in an environment that looks so much like the world they just tried to escape from.  With the direction that many churches are heading, I can’t help but ask the question-Clique or Quit-which one is better?