Traditional Church

I know, the title sounds boring. We think of creaky buildings with peeling paint, many with a "For Sale" sign in front. Actually, traditional churches only meet in buildings and are made up of folks schooled in the Bible for decades, their grandkids, sometimes their kids and some curious folks. 

I'm a pastor at one of these churches. We sing the Doxology on Sunday and pray for as many needs as are shared. We believe the Bible to be the inspired communication from God. We believe Jesus came not just to start a new philosophy, but to save the world from sin. 

I will be viewed as increasingly intolerant by our society. I will likely be called a bigot and a hater by those who don't know me and perhaps by some that do. I am not able to see the Bible giving the OK to the push button issues of the day such as homosexual marriage or LGBT lifestyle. I can't see the Bible OKing our treatment of the poor or mistreatment of the environment or taking advantage of the migrant worker or the pornographic treatment of kids on the internet either. 

I do believe that the traditional church has fallen into despair. We feel alienated from our culture for the first time any of us can remember. In this we find echoes in the New Testament experience of the early Christians. We need their courage and trust, but haven't had to lean on God to that degree ever. 

We can't generate the excitement of a mega church. That's fine for them and may God bless their efforts, but we want to know who is worshiping with us and be known by them. In close relationships comes growth and life as God moves from one to another. Help us to trust and live open and welcome every seeker with His love.