I’ve been reading a book from another fine graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary named David Platt. Radical discusses the idea that we in the US have “Americanized” the church and taken it to a place Christ never intended. A place that many churches around the world would never go. We’ve made it about our comfort and convenience. Wait a minute … there is the problem right there: We’ve made it about US instead of about GOD!!!
I’ve been reading this book and evaluating where I am right now. Where we are right now. Not only Ebenezer, but churches across this area. And Platt is correct!
There is something fundamentally WRONG with a church that complains about having to move from the sanctuary to a gymnasium to worship together (for space purposes) when there are men and women around the WORLD worshiping in secret, for DAYS at a time, out of fear for their LIVES. There is something fundamentally wrong when we have 5 gazillion committees to do 3 million things and only two hundred people sharing all of the jobs. (Call that ministerial estimation!!)
I am reeling right now about this one: We have many great programs and ministries at Ebenezer. Every one that I see has the purpose of pointing adults, youth, and children to Christ; the purpose of helping to support and build a solid relationship with Christ. Every one of them has the purpose of discipling in some way. And it just evidences Platt’s premise when, as a senior pastor, I hear more complaints about our programming than I do broken hearts about those who are lost and dying that drive by our church EVERY DAY. And the REAL church had better do something about this, because pseudo-churches are popping up all over. Much of their message does not measure up to the words of Christ.
Believers in Christ, we MUST listen to the words of Paul in II Timothy 4:
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
That time is here and now. What are we gonna do about it? THIS IS NOT BURGER KING!! We are people, and have many differences. Let’s work our differences out WITH LOVE. In fact, Peter said Love overlooks a multitude of sins!! Why don’t we love each other, sacrifice our comfort, and get about the business God called us to in the first place??
PLEASE BE THE REAL CHURCH!!! Let’s become what WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE!!!!
The Random Thinker 
You are so right Brother! We need to keep hearing this over and over again. We gotta be God’s church doing His work not a country club.