Clinging to church buildings instead of being the Church!

Churches are closing all over this country due to the:

Lack of people attending

Older generation dying

No young people

Conflict

Bullying

Finances

Buildings lfalling into disrepair.

Not enough Ministers.

The sad thing is Christians have lost sight of Christ' mission - the church's mission - the whole point of being the church in the world.

Church buildings have become "Idols" with the attitude of:

"I was baptized in this church"

" I was married in this church"

" I will have my funeral in this church"

It doesn't seem to matter that the church can barely pay its bills. Or, that it is in desperate need of repair. Or, that they cannot afford a Minister.

In the Presbyterian Church and other denominations, we have Clergy that are working at their own church/ (es) and looking after others (Interim Moderators). Many, if not all, retired ministers, are Interim Moderators of one or multiple churches in their Presbytery/Diocese/Districts (depending on denomination). Meaning they look after the church (meetings, visiting, pastoral care, finding or being the supply on Sunday's).

Some churches will never be able to afford a full-time or even part-time minister again. They have supply ministers, or lay ministers who fill-in.

Some churches are pro-active and look ahead. They see "the writing on the wall" and take steps to help themselves. They know that they cannot pay their bills, or their minister, or supply. They amakgamate with anoother church/(es) to become a pastoral charge (two or three churches together) to have a new lease on life.

There are Presbyterian and United Churches that are partnering together in communities, while keeping their own denominational identity, These partnerships will have services turnabout (weekly or monthly). This gives a greater opportunity of having a full or part-time minister in their midst. It also, brings life to each congregation, after all isn't 20 or 30 people singing together better than a handful in each church?

Yet, there are quite a few that WILL NOT consider amalgamating or partnering with another church - not even withn the same denomination!

Even though the "writing is on the wall" they choose not to see - not to listen. They are "holding out" in case someone dies and leaves them money. This is indeed worshiping the building rather than following Christ' mission of "go and make disciples of all nations".

Desperation to hang on at all cost to the building, even though they cannot afford to maintain it, let alone fix it is in essence idolatry.

Meantime, Interim Miderators, especially those who are working full or part-timd ars struggling to find pulpit supply. Even those who are retired are juggling meetings, supplyong pulpits, home and family. There ard not enough of us to go around.

Yes, it is heart-breaking to see your church die off and even more so when you have been attending there all of your life, and your ancestors before you. However, a few fundraisers are not going to solve the situation. There are not enough workers or vounteers to do the dinners or the variety shows, nor the concerts. It is past time to be looking at amalgamations/partnerships and even closings.

Desperation to keep churches going at all cost is selfish. It breeds lies, conflict, distrust and contempt. Chrisianity is about Chrizt first and formost. It is about spreading the "Good News" of Christ reconciling mission. It is about giving rather than recieving and loving one's neighbour as oneself. It iz about being "the Body of Christ" in the world.

Ask yourselves, Why do I go to church on Sunday? Is it because you have always gone to church on Sunday since you were a child? Or, "Am I a Sunday Christian?" In other words do I practise my faith the othef six days. Do I serve God as Christ served? Do I take part in Bible studies when they are offered? Do I fight for justice? Do I take part in furthering God's kingdom, here on earth? Do I try to learn more about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit?

Jesus saix “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."