“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” (Jude 1:3-4, NIV)
When I became a full-time pastor, the notion that I would have to get caught up in denominational issues did not cross my mind. Part of my story is that I switched career paths later in life to take on a pastoral role that God called me to. I took it for granted that Christians believed that every word of the Bible was the Word of God. For eight years now, the Bible has been completely transforming my life from top to bottom, and I am not the same person I was. Yes, the Word of God can be difficult and it cuts through the heart of selfishness. However, it is also what gives people true hope and joy in the world.
Yes, I admit I was naïve to assume that other Christians by default would see the Bible as God-breathed and authoritative. But imagine my surprise when I was hired to pastor a church only to discover that, in the broader denomination of the church, I am mostly likely in the minority in believing in the full truthfulness of the Bible. (To be clear, although I have a Restoration Movement background, the church I pastor is not Restoration Movement.)
“I took it for granted that Christians believed that every word of the Bible was the Word of God.”
So in this regard, over the past year I have felt much like Jude (see the quote above). I am eager to expound on the salvation that Jesus can offer, and yet I am often compelled to talk about the dangers of the false teachings that are being preached in many pulpits which are threatening to supplant the real thing.
Biblically, what we often call “progressive Christianity” is usually just false doctrine that does not fit with the scriptures that are handed down by God. It’s not the scriptures which have changed; it’s church leaders thinking (wrongly) that softening the scriptures is doing people favors. It’s not. The church is supposed to be the city on the hill. We are to be the light of the world. By watering down what the Bible teaches, we’re only dimming our own light.
Many churches are no longer making disciples. We have become too reliant on trends from the surrounding culture, such as pastors concerning themselves with their own “brand” on social media. The effects have been a “watered down” gospel. When you dull the edge of Scripture and cast its truthfulness into doubt, you no longer have the transforming power.
“When you dull the edge of Scripture and cast its truthfulness into doubt, you no longer have the transforming power.”
When I attended a conference within the denomination of the church I pastor, I honestly had to leave early because the conference was causing me to be upset. I did not hear anything about how to make disciples. I did not hear anything about preaching the gospel. Instead I heard about how we need to be more accepting, even of what the Bible calls sin. Over the past year, I have heard many sermons from this denomination where the gospel wasn’t even mentioned. The very thing that Jesus came on this earth to do is not even been mentioned in many of these churches anymore. When I raised my concerns within the denomination, I heard all of the standard progressive responses in reply.
For me, this was all heartbreaking because I know how powerful it is to come to Jesus. I know, from my own life and those I have helped, how life changing it is when you put all your faith in Jesus.
It was in those dark moments when I wasn’t sure what to do that I sensed God speaking to me. He hadn’t called me here to save a denomination but to bring glory to Him by preaching the gospel and making disciples in this church. When I clarified that my goal was preaching the gospel and making disciples, there was a peace that came over me that I cannot explain. I am once again seeing the power of a local church doing the best it can to follow Jesus.
“I am once again seeing the power of a local church doing the best it can to follow Jesus.”
As a pastor that came into the calling late in life, it was heartbreaking to see so many other leaders that were leading their flocks astray. At the same time, God was placing many people in my life that reminded me that there is always a faithful remnant. When you are one of the few that are standing up and speaking, it can feel incredibly lonely. Yet God always preserves a remnant of believers.
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21, NIV)
I encourage everyone to continue to preach the gospel, wherever you are and whatever the pushback. There may be incredibly difficult decisions you have to make, but you cannot be silent. As leaders we need to return to the mindset of being good shepherds. God has entrusted you with a flock. If you are not doing everything in your power to protect, teach, and empower those people, then I challenge you to start doing it. There are actually a lot of us who have committed to doing the same, and I promise that you’re not alone.
