One of the most unique challenges in my life as a Christian and Pastor is to witness the direction of church life today. I am concerned with many things I witness, listen to, and watch within our own congregation. Some say we have the privilege of being a part of a great work of God in Northwest Arkansas. If that is so and I will let others deem it as so, rather than me, then it verifies my concern.

Church life today involves checking in and checking out. It is like people are saying, “Okay, I will come when I can and I do not want to do something else or have something with the family, my son has a tournament he plays in on Sunday, or my daughter’s basketball team is at a camp.” In other words, “my spiritual life and the spiritual life of my family is really not that important.” I hear this often, “Pastor, I just need to be away. We have been running for so long, we just need to be away.” Away from what? Perhaps our running is towards the wrong thing. Perhaps our running is towards the desires of our flesh. Perhaps our running is away from God. Listen: every one needs rest and refreshment, but my call is to be reasonable about it. When is enough, enough?

Church life today equates church attendance, service, and giving with accusations of being legalistic. Is it legalistic for you to be faithful to the church Jesus died for? Is it legalistic to attend, serve, and give to the church of which Jesus believes in with his life and even His death? Legalism is adding to the gospel and the Word of God. The centrality of the local church is all over the New Testament. Service to others and ministry to others permeates the New Testament. Giving of resources and life demonstrates where the heart really is and is personified all over the New Testament. I would never want to “add to” anything God says, but understand, God has been very, very clear in His Word about those kinds of matters and so many others. It is time we listen to the real music being played around us. The real music is a church life that is moving people away from God and others, all in the name of self-centeredness. Wow, pretty strong Ronnie? You got it! I shudder to even think what Jesus would say to His church today. What He would say to me! As a Pastor for 30 years this September in local churches and 20 years in October in one church, I have never felt so responsible, but so helpless about anything.

The only answer to church life today is a mighty supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people. What I have related in previous paragraphs is only a glimpse into the reality of today’s church in America. What is even sadder, it is sprinkled and being led away even farther by erroneous Bible teaching or misinterpretation of texts for the purpose of accommodating self-centeredness. It breaks my heart, moves me to prayer, and motivates me more than ever before to declare God’s truth regardless, and believe God for a mighty Holy Spirit movement in the American church, beginning with the church I lead, of which we are the chiefest of sinners. My final words to you today…

The gospel of ACCOMMODATION is NOT a 5th gospel.