(07-25-2018 02:37 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  As a person who has helped plant a couple congregations.

That is awesome! My church has participated in a church plant in Virginia, Utah and Michigan. I am interested in church planting as a potential full time ministry.

Quote:Church isn't ever going away. It may be smaller and likely will be much smaller.

Liberated of people who there because they see attendance as important to a political career or business career will correct a lot of problems.

I agree and I believe this could be part of the end of the church age - when direct persecution and the world's influences of the flesh increase to the point that only highly motivated, dedicated, authentic, "boots on the ground" Christians will be left. This "remnant" will be a Spirit filled, effective church indeed!

Quote:A number of churches have driven full speed down a dead end street. Any pastor who thinks abortion and homosexuals (or worse, abortion, homosexuals, and the tax code) are the biggest issues in a person's life is missing the boat, the pier, and the whole harbor.

If you mean that there is a focus on just these issues at the expense of preaching/teaching the full breadth of Scripture and helping improve the lives of families and individuals then I agree.

Quote:One of the reasons I'm the odd duck not complaining about Millennials is because I've found them to mostly be immune to the old avenues of being evangelized. You go clean up parks, help an inner city school, do things for the homeless, try to help people just out of prison get on their feet and explain to them why we exist and you can get them. Offer some weak argument like "well what if you are wrong and there is a God" and you can hang it up.

Again, adapting the approach but not the core message is the key IMO. Too many Christians do a poor job of witnessing to others and forget that you have to first build genuine trust and a relationship with others before you jump to the hell and gnashing of teeth part. Actions do speak louder than words so Christians need to be aware that the world is watching and largely skeptical. I would caution that the church should never shy away from sharing the gospel (as commanded by Jesus) when the proper opportunity presents itself.