For the last two months I have written about what I call ‘the parallel church’.  I started with describing what ‘the parallel church’ is and how it got started (01.11.10).  It is all too evident that the modern day organized church has lost its’ bearings in regards to original calling and is seriously neglecting an extremely important   purpose in biblical function (02.08.10).  As we watch a political administration dismantle one United States Constitutional freedom after another,  we can no longer sit immobile as our great country is being pulled apart.  We must stand up and be “counted” before it is too late.  The same is true in the church.  The modern day church is a far cry from what was intended when we read the New Testament’s description given by Jesus and the Apostles.   

What has happened to the church?  In the span of less than fifty years, at least in America, we have gone from regarding the church as highly significant to almost irrelevant. There is a good reason for this.  Whenever any organization (church) or anyone (person) abandons the foundational spiritual values and direction, given it by God, it is not long before other things start to take place.  In the 1960’s the USA became obsessed with materialism and growth.  The materialistic drive by society soon invaded the church.  Instead of remaining a moral and spiritual compass for the world the church embraced worldly values and practices that soon eroded their once strong foundation depicted in the Bible.  In order to maintain their materialistic bent, and retain the mega church budgets and obscene ministry pay, the church has been forced to adopt the ways of the world in almost all areas of church life.  The load to pay for all these extravagances is very heavy.  The church needs to attract new people or retain people so finances will increase. People by the scores are realizing that what was once a means, the church building and program, has now become an end. Many individuals are coming to the stark reality that the main purpose the church exist, is for people,  not buildings and programs.  This kind of thinking is unconventional and at best flies in the face of what we have all been taught for years by the church.   

When the organized church fails in its’ primary purpose of ministering to individuals, there is good reason to doubt why you should continue to be part of such a structure. This activity is not about being where there is something just for you, or being treated as if you are the most important. This is about the church, the mystical body of Christ, functioning as God desires. It is not about titles, positions, pews or power.  It is simply about being a servant as God directs.  One of the most significant things missing from the church today is the building of interpersonal relationships.  Because God intended for us to be social beings, we have a strong need to be accepted and to accept.  As I have already said, loneliness in the pew is one the greatest diseases in the church today.  How can we minister to those outside the church when we so severely neglect those inside the church?  When was the last time the church you attend dealt with this issue? When it comes to ministry, we don’t know those around us at church so why would we know those around us at home?  When you belong to a church that does not practice mission work, it is easy to understand why you are not out answering the call to missions, right where you live.  Could it be that you are too consumed with propping up the building, programs and egos of those where you attend church?  Has God been speaking to you about ministry outside of your comfort zone?  A parallel church is developing because God knows that the original purpose for the church (Matthew28:19)  has been eclipsed by silver tongued orators and slick sales gimmicks within the organized church of today.  Sometimes we have to go to a doctor for a checkup before we know for sure something is wrong.   

Next:  I will talk about the doctor’s report on the church.  When God looks at where you are and where He wants you to be, what does He see?  Have you been caught up in the idea that all God has for you can only happen within the confine of the established church?  The parallel church may be God’s answer for the disease of being lukewarm and apathetic.  This spiritual disease has   infected so many in the church today. It is more than an epidemic, it is pandemic, and God knows that He must do something about it.    

A Fig Tree Ministry Thought…
When God presents you with a challenge,
take a leap of faith.  (Gen. 12:1-4)  (ODB)
Please send any comments to:  Dr. Roland E. Bean at www.figtreeministry.org