“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory,” 1Thessalonians 2:12. According to the King James Study Bible “walk” refers to the Christian life and conduct.
Some Christians feel the Christian walk is being overlooked in some churches. They suggest what is paid more attention to is the exterior and interior of the church or the different ministries offered, instead of the congregation’s relationship with Christ.
“Sometimes people have the mindset of if you build it they will come. That may have been true 15 or 20 years ago, but the culture now is we first have to know what the needs of people are and build around that. People’s needs is what should drive us,” said Bruce Farr pastor of Overcoming Church. “There has to be a balance between the two. (The Church) needs to be holistic and well rounded.”
Most people enjoy attending a church that is attractive, spotless and offers a variety of programs. However, those things are only temporal; according to the Word of God the only thing that lasts forever is the Word. Most ministers say a nice building is essential, but a person’s soul is just as crucial.
Sandra Cox, a member of Lord of the Harvest International Church, said when she was on the quest to find a church home, she was looking for someone to feed her spiritually. She was not searching for a spectacular building.
“Material things are just material things – they mean nothing. It’s about what comes from your heart and what we are being fed as a Christian. If the man of God can feed us in the right way and I know God is leading him, that’s all I need,” said Cox.
Religious experts believe prosperity teaching has become the standard message for a number of churches and in the process people’s souls are being lost.
“Teaching people to go to God and get more stuff is what some pastors are building their messages around,” said Reverend Derek King professor of religious studies at Martin University. “We need pastors to teach messages that will challenge people to go inside themselves, and seek out a place of purpose in their own lives. So (Christians) can do something outside the walls to benefit the kingdom of God.”
Being in the post-modern era, people are more concerned about their needs first. They’re not interested in the church explaining to them what they need, added Farr. He went on to say, if the church doesn’t adhere to people’s concerns there are other religions created everyday, and those doctrines will find a way to meet their desires.
“What will probably happen is the church won’t be relevant anymore. We don’t have to compromise our messages. We just need to be sensitive to what people are dealing with today. If we don’t do that, we will lose ground with (potential disciples),” Farr said.
According to an article entitled, Building Strong House Churches by P. J. Hanley a senior pastor of Banner of Love Christian Fellowship in Port Ewen, N.Y., to gather people is not sufficient, because there needs to be a building of lives together in relationship, working out the wonderful salvation God has provided. The local church is to be a family, where in an atmosphere of love, each member learns to grow and function.
“The most important thing when you’re walking with Christ is your relationship. (God) is going to supply our needs anyway,” said Cox. “It’s pleasant to have nice things, but I’d rather be rich spiritually, then everything else will fall into place.”
