The subject I am about to address in this editorial is, I believe, so vital that I have allowed myself the luxury of FIVE pages, something I’ve never done before. I trust that you will find it helpful.
The title of this editorial is a question I am often asked as I travel from place to place, visiting those seeking to meet—with varying degrees of success—as New Testament assemblies. How are New Testament assemblies doing? Are they dying out? What do you see happening in your travels? Let me remind us all of three important considerations:
1. North America is not the whole world. I beg the pardon of our readers in countries other than the U.S. and Canada. Perhaps it is true everywhere that we think in terms of our own country as our world. But it is important that we have a vision as big as the one in the Word. When people in North America or parts of the U.K. ask me, “Is this the Laodicean age?” I respond, “Not in China. Not in North India. Not in Korea. Not in Kenya.”
We must remember—if we take the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 not only as real churches but as periods in church history—that the last FOUR churches are promised the coming of the Lord. Thyatira is offered “the morning star” (2:28). Sardis is warned, “If you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief…” (3:3); it seems their theology has robbed them of the blessed hope of His imminent return. Philadelphia hears the Saviour’s promise: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (3:11). Laodicea’s overcomers are told that Christ is right at the door, and they are promised a place on the very throne of the Lord! One thing this means: there will not only be Laodicean-type churches at the time of His coming, but those like Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia as well.
2. New Testament assemblies are not the whole church. How I thank the Lord for the great privilege of being associated with those gatherings of believers who—though in much weakness—seek to obey the Lord in “all things whatsoever” He commanded; who believe that the example of the New Testament Church is not only descriptive but prescriptive. But the groups of believers you may know are only a small portion of “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Eph. 3:15). Multitudes of faithful believers—some perhaps with less light but more heat—live for Him beyond your horizon. We hold to the truth of the one Body, which Paul lays out for us in Ephesians 4.
There is the organic “unity of the Spirit,” an established fact based on the historic baptism at Pentecost. There is also the “unity of the faith” to which, Paul writes, we are coming. It is a long process, but it shall happen. Lord, haste the day!
May God help those who follow this New Testament design to be known for humility rather than pride, for an appreciation of these truths rather than for mere traditionalism, and for a biblical vision for the future rather than walking backwards through life.
While we cherish “the memory of the just” who have gone before, I often sense a disconnect between our appreciation of those gospel pioneers and a willingness to follow their path.
It was a path of uncompromising separation from the world. (I don’t mean the hard legalists who mimicked their lifestyle but without their love for the Lord.) The pioneers, though they were well known in their communities (not confusing separation with isolation), would not have been caught dead in a movie theater or taking a social drink. Of course we feel we are more sophisticated now, having overcome such narrow-minded thinking. But those saints thought narrow-mindedness was a good thing—just the kind of thinking for those on the narrow road to glory. With so many of God’s people careening into the ditch these days, we might want to reconsider a narrower focus for our road Home.
It was also a path of simple living. They chose to curtail their wants and pour their resources into the Lord’s work. They thought the Lord meant it when He talked about not laying up treasures on earth. They took seriously the command not to buy expensive clothes. They found their satisfaction in the other world. And those of us who knew them saw that they did not miss anything worth having. They lived the verse: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).
It was a path of evangelistic fervor. They would be astounded at our paltry seed sowing. You expect a crop from that? they might ask. They gave out millions of tracts; started radio broadcasts; opened orphanages; thrust out hundreds of missionaries; had gospel efforts in school rooms, jails, portable halls, tents, and on street corners. They never stopped evangelizing. They pulled up roots and moved to other places to break ground for new “works” as they called them, because that’s exactly what it took. They saw hundreds of assemblies started in only a few decades. It wasn’t by accident. They laid down their lives for the Cause. To slip into a church pew where the others didn’t care to remember the Lord each week wasn’t an option. If there was no group in town that followed the principles and practices of the New Testament as they understood them, they, with God’s help, started one! Who will follow in their train?
3. None of us has the whole story. That’s why we must “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come…” (1 Cor. 4:5). The Lord is going to pull off the biggest rescue mission in history. Have you read the end of Psalm 22 lately? “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and He is the governor among the nations” (Ps. 22:27-28). Christ said the gates of hell would not prevail. I believe Him. Will many be lost? Sadly, yes. But will many millions more be saved than we know about? Absolutely. At present every Christian believes “He is altogether lovely.” In that Day they will also believe that “He hath done all things well.”
We often make the wrong—and discouraging—assumption that Elijah made. If I don’t hear of something going on, nothing must be going on. You’re the only one left, Elijah? Give or take 7,000! And that 7,000 didn’t include Elisha, or Naboth, or Micaiah, or the school of the prophets, or the woman at Shunem, or…. We greatly under-estimate the job God is doing.
SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
Having said all that, how would I answer the question posed at the beginning? How are those New Testament assemblies that we know about in North America doing?
This is only one man’s opinion; I represent no faction or school of thought. Some areas of the country I have never visited. Any who have read Uplook for some time know that I take a more conservative position than some; others would find me less so. But in spite of these limitations, some might find help, especially for your prayer time, in the following observations.
1. Some good work is being done but it is often not known, even to local believers. I sometimes inform saints of good things happening under their noses. Why? Because I ask people everywhere I go for news of encouraging works they know about. Compared to fast-moving gossip, good news drags its feet for some reason. Help get the good word out.
2. Opportunities abound on every hand. I hear some people bemoan our shrinking liberties, but we still have tremendous freedom. We should hardly know where to begin: hospitals, home Bible studies, local cable TV, college campuses. God still opens doors which no man can shut. But are we prepared to go through them when He gives us the opportunity?
3. Many regions have a good crop of young people. The big challenge? Each generation has its assets and liabilities. This generation, seeing the uncertainty of life in general, seems unwilling to make long-term commitments. Help for a weekend? They’re glad to throw themselves into it. Take a Sunday School class for life or commit to some mission field for the rest of their days? Just the thought makes many claustrophobic. They must get over it if they want to be used by the Lord in a significant way. “We shall reap if we faint not.” Endurance works experience and experience results in hope, the process that brings fruit (Rom. 5:3-5).
And if you think you’re still young at 35, let me pop the balloon. Half of your threescore-and-ten is gone. By age 35, men like T. E. Wilson and David Long were returning to their field of labor from their third five-year furlough! They were already veterans. We need to pray this generation into commitment, to preach them the message given to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee” (Josh. 1:9). When Bobby Wright, a missionary to Japan, would visit Ireland, he would sidle up to a young man and ask, “Where are you home on furlough from?” Good question.
4. Many are at odds about the way forward. There is still a strong movement to introduce major (some of us believe anti-biblical) changes into assembly life. There is an insistent call to the vulnerable to make arrangements with a capable brother to be their teaching elder. No one should dispute the importance, or the scripturalness, of men who follow gospel pioneers to shepherd the new lambs until they see elders raised up among them. This was the way Paul and Timothy worked. But that’s very different to the idea of ensconcing a man in a position as “full-time worker” or “teaching elder” in a mature assembly. Hire one if you like (the word “hire” is not my word but the common misapplication of a two-fold illustration in 1 Timothy 5:18—the Lord’s servant is to not to be a hireling any more than he is an ox!), but I will tell you what will happen if you do. Those in fellowship before the brother is installed will manage to keep a sliver of distinction between “clergyman” and “pastor-teacher.” But the majority who begin attending afterward will gather to the man and his ministry. How do I know? Because we have Church history as our witness, and have seen it happen in our time as well.
But some are a lot farther down that road. A recent job posting in Thinking Ahead magazine, the organ of Vision Ministries, states that one responsibility of the desired “Pastor of Worship Arts and Administration” is to “develop and implement moving worship experiences which complement the teaching-preaching.” Is it not the ministry of the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts to worship? Be careful, brethren! This sounds dangerously like “strange fire” to me.
Brothers and sisters, we are at a crossroads. Those who recommend such retooling of assemblies may have insightful questions to ask about our present condition. But I’m afraid I don’t like the answers being proffered. What is it that we need today? Where is the path ahead?
This will require courage. It will not be easy. Much ground has been lost. And we will have to be honest about our responsibility. Some elders have been AWOL. Many assemblies have given up on the gospel. With few being saved, assemblies become ingrown clubs where blessing, then vision, then hope, is lost. Rather than having the comprehensive teaching of the “whole counsel of God,” we can settle for ill-prepared sermonettes, then in desperation send our youth to be institutionalized to learn the Bible. Though much good may be accomplished in attending these schools, malleable young people often learn things there that they should not have learned, and would not, if taught at home in biblical on-the-job training.
WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE? HOPE IN THE GOD OF HOPE
Those assemblies that are healthy, happy and effective seem to have common characteristics: a deep appreciation for spiritual worship; a sincere love for one another, spending quality time in each others’ homes; an appetite for the pure Word of God, and for living it out; a heart for the lost, expressed in regular outreach in the community and in good works; and godly elders who model the same Christianity they teach by their daily lives.
What about those who are not doing well? There is no reason to despair. Our God can turn dust into men, curses into blessing, and sinners into saints. He likes to work in hopeless cases; it’s His specialty. If your assembly is composed of “foolish…weak…base…despised…and…nothing” things, well, that’s just the kind He’s looking for (see 1 Cor. 1:27-29).
However, these foolish, weak, base, and despised people need the other side of the equation as well. So firmly convinced are we of our own foolishness that we must cling unreservedly to God’s all-wise plan in His Word. Who can imagine thinking that we could improve on it by changing anything He has revealed. And weak? We know the only way we can make it is to lean hard on the One who said that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Since we know we are base and despised, we seek no earthly glory, no improved corporate image for a “movement.” We would rather fill heaven than fill big buildings. We want people only to think well of Christ. “That no flesh should glory in His presence” (see v. 29).
Deeply discouraged assemblies need first a rebirth of hope. You believe the Lord can change things; do you also believe He wants to do it starting with you, and starting today? He is standing at your door and is on call at this moment, ready to do a God-sized thing for you.
Then there needs to be a rebirth of vision. Vision is not creative imagination; it is seeing things as God sees them. It is a heart willing to be part of the solution and asking to be instructed by the Spirit on the next thing to do. It’s not cleverness we need—it’s commitment.
So there also needs to be a rebirth of consecration—all that I am and have on the altar for this great work. If we are going to rise to the challenge of our day it will cost many of us our lives, careers and bank accounts (Acts 15:25; 1 Jn. 3:16). Jesus thought it was worth that.
Make no mistake, the project is pricey. Have you wondered how George Müller was able to give to the Lord’s work the equivalent of $25 million in today’s money? I’ll tell you. Like the first century saints, the believers who rediscovered the imminent return of Christ proved they believed it. They sold off excess things. One assembly took three days to auction their tapestries, silver and paintings. Many downsized their homes. Doctors and dentists often gave up practices to serve overseas. Lawyers like J. N. Darby became itinerant evangelists. Thousands were saved. Orphans were rescued by the hundreds. New publishing houses sprang up and books packed with truth were virtually given away. Assembly writers dominated Christian publishing for decades. None of this was cheap. Fortunes were put at the disposal of the despised Nazarene.
Of course there is no need to liquidate if we plan on maintaining the status quo. The few pioneer evangelists we have left in North America seem to be able to scrimp by on a pittance. Special missionary projects can be funded by proceeds from the sale of buildings no longer needed by defunct assemblies. But this is bleak, defeatist talk. That’s enough of that!
A CALL TO ARMS (AND KNEES)
I would like to put a three-fold challenge to the people of God for prayerful consideration.
1. Young people (use any definition you like), take a good hard look at what this life can offer you. Then look at those dear Christians who have put it all on the line for the Master. Sing with reality, “Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss…my glory all the cross.” See your assembly as the family business, though it may have fallen on hard times.
God has put you there “for such a time as this.” Take a bigger challenge than Lee Iacocca’s in turning around Chrysler Corp. By God’s grace, determine to do what it takes, to give what it requires, to be content only with the smile of heaven. In order for that to happen, “run, that you may obtain” (1 Cor. 9:24), not shadow boxing, but making every blow count for God (v. 26). If older ones, Saul-like, sit under a tree when the enemy is on the prowl, find another young person to go with you, Jonathan-like, and show the Philistines “a thing” or two (see 1 Sam. 14:12). Every generation needs their own war stories. There’s only one way to get them.
2. It’s only anecdotal, but I would think one-quarter of the assemblies I know are doing well; another quarter are on life support; the other half are in the middle somewhere. What if, without interfering with their autonomy, each healthy assembly would “twin” with a nearby weak one. I mean by that for the elders to contact the brethren there, invite them for dinner and a time of prayer. Express your interest in helping where you can. Ask them to send an email each week before your midweek prayer time so your assembly can uphold theirs before the Lord regularly. Perhaps you could help with their expenses. Or fix up their building. Or have monthly fellowship times together, alternating locations. Or take your young folks there for door knocking or kid’s clubs. If every healthy assembly was used by the Lord to help a struggling assembly back onto its feet, what a huge boost that would be for the work at large! This is not as radical as it may seem. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to think about the Jerusalem assembly in this way, considering this now struggling assembly as worthy of their sacrificial help (2 Cor. 8:14).
3. Finally, may those who not only care about their local assembly, but feel the “care of the churches” think about visiting together—not in an official way, nor to present some new model for church growth, but simply as concerned brethren—to seek the Lord’s face for His counsel, to think in fresh but biblical ways, and to strengthen our hands for “this good work” (Neh. 2:18) that we may more effectively serve our generation, as faithful believers now in glory served theirs.
PS Surely a special reward awaits those who read it all!