Happy New Year! As 2025 begins, I can't help but feel that time is passing us by faster than ever. Just yesterday we were welcoming a new millennium, and now here we are, a quarter-century into it. As I think about how quickly time moves, I can't ignore the changes I've seen in the church over the years.
There's no denying it—something has shifted in churches and is more than just a cultural trend. Have you noticed it, too? It's as though we've traded the sacred for the superficial. Church services have often become more about entertainment than exalting Christ Jesus. What was once meant to draw us closer to God has turned into an experience centered around stirring emotions. Sure, the lights, sounds, and performances fill the sanctuary, but do they fill our hearts with genuine reverence? How often is our time together truly pleasing in the ears and eyes of God?
This isn't an easy conversation, but it's a necessary one. This shift we're witnessing in our churches is no accident—it's the result of losing sight of our first love: Jesus Christ. We've become more focused on spectacle than exalting Christ. The Bible warned us about this. In Revelation, the church of Laodicea believed it was prosperous and strong, yet God called it poor, naked, and weak. Could this describe us today? I believe it does. In 2 Timothy 3:5, the apostle Paul warned of people who would have "a form of godliness but deny its power." Are we more concerned with the outward appearance of church than the inward work of the Spirit?
Let me be clear—this is not about condemning creativity or innovation. God has blessed us with remarkable tools to spread the gospel. However, through the years, we've shifted our focus from what truly matters. Instead of exalting Christ, we've mastered the craft in "experiences." We know how to draw crowds, but do we know how to draw people to the cross?
Pastor Angel Vasquez of San Diego, California, recently said:
"Years ago, men risked their lives to translate the Bible; now, men translate the Bible to make a living. Back then, men were under the influence of the Spirit; now, we have men who want to be influencers. Men gave up their lives to prosper God; now, men give up God to prosper their lives. Men used to go days without eating so they could pray. Now, men go days without praying so they can eat. We need men who are winners of souls, not whiners; women who can cover up, not glow up. We need children who obey and pray, not just lay and play. We need families who look forward to the Lord's Day more than Game Day. We need churches with fewer Bible versions and more Bible conversions. We need pastors who want to be fiery prophets proclaiming the whole counsel of God rather than seeking profits" (December 22, 2024).
And to that, I say, "Amen."
Recently, I attended a church service where the production was breathtaking. The music was flawless, the service flow perfectly timed, and the sermon engaging. But as I looked around, I wondered—how many of us were leaving with changed hearts? How many were encountering Jesus in a way that would transform their lives? Too often, we measure the success of our churches by the size of our audience rather than the depth of discipleship.
The church's mission has never been about performance; it has always been about individuals. Jesus didn't seek applause—He sought the broken, the outcasts, and the lost. He ministered to the sick, the hopeless, and the weary. He spoke the truth with both authority and love, even when it challenged those who heard it. His focus was never on putting on a show; it was on fulfilling His Father's will.
In Jeremiah 6:16, the LORD calls us to "Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." The ancient ways are not outdated traditions—they are time-tested truths. They have stood firm through trials and adversities. The church is meant to be a people where the gospel is preached, choirs sing hymns, souls are saved, and lives find rest in God's Word.
But how did the people of Jeremiah's time respond to God's call? They rejected it. They rebelliously said: "We will not walk therein." And their refusal brought devastating consequences. Now, our generation is reaping the bitter harvest of rejecting God's ways. We witness sermons of little substance instead of anchored truth, shallow relationships masquerading as fellowship, and false converts filling pews—multitudes applauding flattery and entertainment rather than being exhorted by the holy Scriptures. Where is Christ in all this?
Too often, Christ is absent, left standing outside the very church that bears His name. But what if our churches returned to their true calling? What if, instead of investing in showy productions, we focused on investing in people? What if we prioritized training Christians in the depth of the Word, feeding the hungry, serving the needy, and reaching the unreached? What if our sermons confronted people with the need to turn from sin and pursue holiness in their daily lives rather than appealing to comfort and convenience? What if our worship wasn't about the perfect setlist but about hearts fully surrendered to God?
This is a hard rebuke, but it's written in love. The church is called to be the salt of the earth—preserving the truth of God's Word in a decaying world and convicting what is wrong by the standard of righteousness. Salt preserves and purifies, just as we are to purify our lives through the gospel and preserve [maintain] its holy message. But salt also stings, much like the truth at times, exposing sin and revealing what is wrong. In the same way, we are called to shine the light of Christ—not dim it with distractions or compromise.
If we're honest, we must ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with pleasing people than honoring God? Are we more focused on appearances than fulfilling our biblical mandate to preserve and shine Christ?
I don't write this as someone who has it all figured out, but as a fellow disciple who feels the weight of this reality. The call to return isn't about going backward but digging our roots deeper in God's Word. It's about rediscovering the simplicity and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Church, the crossroads are far behind us, and we've wandered down the path of performance and compromise. But it's not too late to turn back. The ancient ways that lead to an abundant life are still there, waiting for us to return. The time for delay is over. Let us repent, forsake our foolishness, and redirect our focus on what truly matters: exalting Christ, preaching the gospel, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us not hesitate. The time to act is now.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
There's no denying it—something has shifted in churches and is more than just a cultural trend. Have you noticed it, too? It's as though we've traded the sacred for the superficial. Church services have often become more about entertainment than exalting Christ Jesus. What was once meant to draw us closer to God has turned into an experience centered around stirring emotions. Sure, the lights, sounds, and performances fill the sanctuary, but do they fill our hearts with genuine reverence? How often is our time together truly pleasing in the ears and eyes of God?
This isn't an easy conversation, but it's a necessary one. This shift we're witnessing in our churches is no accident—it's the result of losing sight of our first love: Jesus Christ. We've become more focused on spectacle than exalting Christ. The Bible warned us about this. In Revelation, the church of Laodicea believed it was prosperous and strong, yet God called it poor, naked, and weak. Could this describe us today? I believe it does. In 2 Timothy 3:5, the apostle Paul warned of people who would have "a form of godliness but deny its power." Are we more concerned with the outward appearance of church than the inward work of the Spirit?
Let me be clear—this is not about condemning creativity or innovation. God has blessed us with remarkable tools to spread the gospel. However, through the years, we've shifted our focus from what truly matters. Instead of exalting Christ, we've mastered the craft in "experiences." We know how to draw crowds, but do we know how to draw people to the cross?
Pastor Angel Vasquez of San Diego, California, recently said:
"Years ago, men risked their lives to translate the Bible; now, men translate the Bible to make a living. Back then, men were under the influence of the Spirit; now, we have men who want to be influencers. Men gave up their lives to prosper God; now, men give up God to prosper their lives. Men used to go days without eating so they could pray. Now, men go days without praying so they can eat. We need men who are winners of souls, not whiners; women who can cover up, not glow up. We need children who obey and pray, not just lay and play. We need families who look forward to the Lord's Day more than Game Day. We need churches with fewer Bible versions and more Bible conversions. We need pastors who want to be fiery prophets proclaiming the whole counsel of God rather than seeking profits" (December 22, 2024).
And to that, I say, "Amen."
Recently, I attended a church service where the production was breathtaking. The music was flawless, the service flow perfectly timed, and the sermon engaging. But as I looked around, I wondered—how many of us were leaving with changed hearts? How many were encountering Jesus in a way that would transform their lives? Too often, we measure the success of our churches by the size of our audience rather than the depth of discipleship.
The church's mission has never been about performance; it has always been about individuals. Jesus didn't seek applause—He sought the broken, the outcasts, and the lost. He ministered to the sick, the hopeless, and the weary. He spoke the truth with both authority and love, even when it challenged those who heard it. His focus was never on putting on a show; it was on fulfilling His Father's will.
In Jeremiah 6:16, the LORD calls us to "Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." The ancient ways are not outdated traditions—they are time-tested truths. They have stood firm through trials and adversities. The church is meant to be a people where the gospel is preached, choirs sing hymns, souls are saved, and lives find rest in God's Word.
But how did the people of Jeremiah's time respond to God's call? They rejected it. They rebelliously said: "We will not walk therein." And their refusal brought devastating consequences. Now, our generation is reaping the bitter harvest of rejecting God's ways. We witness sermons of little substance instead of anchored truth, shallow relationships masquerading as fellowship, and false converts filling pews—multitudes applauding flattery and entertainment rather than being exhorted by the holy Scriptures. Where is Christ in all this?
Too often, Christ is absent, left standing outside the very church that bears His name. But what if our churches returned to their true calling? What if, instead of investing in showy productions, we focused on investing in people? What if we prioritized training Christians in the depth of the Word, feeding the hungry, serving the needy, and reaching the unreached? What if our sermons confronted people with the need to turn from sin and pursue holiness in their daily lives rather than appealing to comfort and convenience? What if our worship wasn't about the perfect setlist but about hearts fully surrendered to God?
This is a hard rebuke, but it's written in love. The church is called to be the salt of the earth—preserving the truth of God's Word in a decaying world and convicting what is wrong by the standard of righteousness. Salt preserves and purifies, just as we are to purify our lives through the gospel and preserve [maintain] its holy message. But salt also stings, much like the truth at times, exposing sin and revealing what is wrong. In the same way, we are called to shine the light of Christ—not dim it with distractions or compromise.
If we're honest, we must ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with pleasing people than honoring God? Are we more focused on appearances than fulfilling our biblical mandate to preserve and shine Christ?
I don't write this as someone who has it all figured out, but as a fellow disciple who feels the weight of this reality. The call to return isn't about going backward but digging our roots deeper in God's Word. It's about rediscovering the simplicity and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Church, the crossroads are far behind us, and we've wandered down the path of performance and compromise. But it's not too late to turn back. The ancient ways that lead to an abundant life are still there, waiting for us to return. The time for delay is over. Let us repent, forsake our foolishness, and redirect our focus on what truly matters: exalting Christ, preaching the gospel, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us not hesitate. The time to act is now.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
