Challenges for the church of today

Here are three of the challenges the church faces today: (1) We can’t experience a new move of God if we insist on clinging to an old one. “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety.” The word revival doesn’t simply mean awakening something that’s asleep. It also means resurrecting that which is dead or dying and causing it to come to life again. (2) We fear excess, so we embrace mediocrity and call it balance. People aren’t drawn to us because of our similarities but because of the things that make us unique. When it comes to our faith and our testimony, we mustn’t downplay, soft-pedal, or sidestep the very things God has given us that make us distinctive. If we do, people will be disappointed and go elsewhere. The disciples didn’t blend in with the crowd; their message and the demonstration of its power made them stand out. (3) We need to make room in the church for risk takers and faith walkers. In the first miracle Jesus worked, changing water into wine, Mary told the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5). Our need to be liked and to be popular can lead to a religious spirit that cripples risk taking and faith walking. Jesus promised, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8). So when God tells us to “do church” differently, let’s not be afraid to step out and obey Him.