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As we enter a new year what do I as your pastor see for Old Town, the church in general, our Nation and World trends in the coming year.
Our Church
Old Town is a very healthy and growing church. We have helped pioneer Anchor Cove church last year in Caro, Michigan a church now being forced into a larger building as they are running over 100 each week. We are exploring the possibility of helping pioneer another church in the southwest county area. Statistics tell us the greatest form of Evangelism is church planting.
We have no debt as a church thanks to your faithfulness. We support 25 missionaries; have a Soup Kitchen that feeds the spirit, soul and body. We are now finishing a new building for Outreach as a storage and pantry. A Baby Pantry to help mothers. Celebrate Recovery for those struggling with life controlling habits. We have a powerful jail and prison ministry team. We minister at DOT rehab center, along with three assisted living centers and in the Indian Reservation. This past June a 4th Sunday service was added.
We will increase in our ministry online worldwide while offering our written material to churches and individuals.
Church at large
The debate over approving homosexuality in ministry and the lifestyle will increase. We need to know God doesn’t hate the homosexual and neither should we. Nor does God hate the bank robber, drug dealer, drug addict etc. These all are still a sin and with God’s help a person can turn from and receive forgiveness.
The fact that many churches are saying this is normal is indicative of a church that is broken, a church that has become lost in societal turmoil. A church that has abandoned the scriptures and then have made their own beliefs. Many mainline churches have already taken the step, churches like the Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterians, soon United Methodist Churches have taken the leap. Manu other churches are flirting with the idea that God approves the practice of homosexuality. If the church changed with societal changes that would mean God changes his mind.
Leviticus 18:22
“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
Leviticus 20:13
“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
1 Corinthians 6:9
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites…”
If you believe the Bible and search out what happens when a people who served Go turn from Him you will see God brings Judgment on those people. This judgment is often very severe, but the purpose is redemptive.
While many old-line churches will be dying, many new churches will be springing up. Most of these new churches are not traditional type churches. Many of the pastors of these churches are passionate self-taught men/women with an anointing and may not be the old style of going to Bible school for four years and often having their beliefs and faith taught out of them. Local Bible Schools are springing up to train leaders while they remain in their communities and are trained on the job.
Major changes are going to be taking place in the charismatic/Pentecostal churches. The old style of event0driven, money focused sensationalism will lose focus. Churches that have focused on show/extreme manifestations, media showmanship and the prosperity gospel will become irrelevant to an audience starved for authenticity.
Expect to see more embarrassing scandals in our movements, both moral and financial. The Holy Spirit is cleaning house and removing the cancer of immorality and greed that has been spreading behind closed doors among high profile leaders. These scandals will rock the largest media ministries in the country and will redefine the spiritual landscape.
The Bible tells us “Judgment will begin in the house of God” so people who have had a form of godliness and have deep issues with their lives, they will begin to be judged severely, which will scare other believers. This will not be a time to play church.
Media Charismatic’s and non-church Christians will increasingly become confused and mislead. Those who fins their faith-based connection through the media will be easily led astray as ministries fumble and fall.
Matthew 24:4-5
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”
Matthew 24:11
“…and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
As world events unfold, many people will be confused, frightened, angry, and some violent. Some will understand God has the answers and will find safety in those churches that stay connected with God, but the majority of the world will not.
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Denominations that will be redefined. New leaders today are uncomfortable with rigidity and uniformity imposed by denominations. They place high value on relationships and aren’t attracted to wasteful or needless structures and hierarchy.
Many Mega churches will stop trying to grow bigger and will instead branch out. Pastors are realizing bigger is not often better. Unless the people in large churches are equipped for ministry, they will simply warm seats with becoming mature Christians.
Only those Christians who are grounded will be able to say pure and not get pulled into government sanctioned non-Bible believing churches.
Matthew 7:21-24
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The World at Large
Disasters will continue, but Christians will often be the first responders. President Obama has stated 2011 has had more disasters than any year on record. We have spent over 35 billion on relief. The church has supported several National organizations, such as “Convoy of Hop, Samaritans Purse” but in the future the need will of necessity be handled locally and the local church will step in. Old Town is set up for this type of aide. In large-scale disasters the government can’t be relied upon.
The Asian church will take the lead in missionary ventures. More than 60 percent of the world’ s population is Asian. In the 19th and 20th Century North America took the lead, this is no longer the case.
A record number of Christians will be martyred in 2012. More than 400 die for their faith each day around the world now; this figure will grow, especially in Islamic-countries.
The Arab Spring will allow the gospel into many heretofore-closed countries. For instance, 90% of Saudi Arabians have access to Christian programs on cable.
North America will increasingly be viewed as a needy mission field. We are in a post Christian era in history. Many of the old line beautiful churches will be vacated and left empty as in Europe. When I was a boy 50% of Americans attended church, today only 20% do.
The economic downturn in the U.S. will actually be good for the church. People tend to be more dependent on God in difficult times. People are often more prepared to hear about Christ when they are less secure about earthly things.
Politics and economic problems, class and racial divisions will increasingly cause turmoil and violence in our cities.
With protest and riots erupting in many countries, this global volatility is pushing for a global movement for change, which is aided by social media such as twitter and Facebook. Crowds can develop in minutes in large cities using these means.
China is facing real challenged in 2012. They are experiencing inflation much higher than we are. They also are experiencing the housing bubble even bigger than we have had.
Because of universal concerns around the world as far as economically, energy conversation, global warming, human rights violations, nuclear fears and the problems with Israel, there will of necessity need to be a world court. Eventually someone will have to oversee that agency or court. This agency will of necessity have to come up with a new universal fair rate or exchange or currency for trade and replace the old. (Revelations 13 talks about a future global government and global economy)
The United States will continue to be less of a guardian or big brother to the world as we struggle to keep from bankrupts and keep political, social and economic stability.
What can you do?
2012 is a year each believer should have his house in order, spiritually, mentally and physically. This is not a time in history to play church. The world is in trouble. Economically the U.S. is bankrupt. Asia is in a recession, Europe is collapsing, and even China is in trouble.
God told us He would judge the world for rejecting Him, this could be the beginning of His judgment, if it is it will increase. Pray for our nation, our church, and your family. General Oliver Cromwell instructed his soldiers in 1641 as they were crossing the ocean to invade Ireland “Put your trust in God, and keep your powder dry.” In other words, trust God but be prepared for whatever happens.
We live in the greatest ear I church history, the time just before the coming of Christ. The first century religious people missed His first coming, let’s not be those who mid His second.
Be or get into a position to be able to help others physically and spiritually. Don’t be one of the people who will need help and counsel.
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