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An International Missionary Outreach Dedicated to Evangelizing the Lost By Sharing The Gospel According to the Scriptures
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Open Letter to Pastors and Leaders |
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Decision
Time from
Roger
Oakland Understand
The Times |
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We
are living in a critical time of church history. The Bible, God’s
Word, is undergoing a revision that is bringing about division. The
truth of God’s Word is being compromised and watered-down. Ecumenical
and heretical teachings are being endorsed for the cause of unity and
church growth. The gospel of Jesus Christ is being disguised to make it
less offensive and more acceptable. Churches
that once taught the Bible faithfully verse by verse, preparing the
flock for the imminent return of Jesus Christ, now are looking for ways
to make their services more seeker-friendly and are less concerned
about the prophetic signs we are living in the last of the last days. Pastors
and churches that once believed church growth was dependent on feeding
the sheep and equipping the saved to share the gospel with the lost,
now promote humanistic means to draw in the masses based on a consumer
style of evangelism focused on “finding out what people want” to
“get them in the door.” Churches
once led by pastors committed to biblical truth, now are employing
experts who use worldly principles borrowed from secular corporations
with material goals for success. Rather than following Jesus and His
word, pastors and church leaders are looking to successful men and
their methods so they can become part of a movement that is based on
principles foreign to the scriptures. Further,
when church leaders promote strategies to establish the Bible
believing pastors that once taught the Bible are now looking for ways
to attract people to their congregations by providing extra-biblical
experiences and an atmosphere that includes candles, icons, incense and
the introduction of Roman Catholic sacraments. When concerned observers
suggest this appears to be leading to a partnership with Roman
Catholicism they are considered to be negative opponents of the “new
thing” God is doing that is reaching our generation. It
is apparent to some that we are at another crossroads in church
history, a fork in the road. So what does the future hold? Are pastors
going to stand up and make their voices known if they have concerns
about the direction current trends are leading? While some say, don’t
be negative – just be known for what you believe, not what you are
against – perhaps it is time to reread what the Old Testament
prophets said. When followers of God stray away from the truths of God,
they are never to feel comfortable. If
we truly believe that Jesus may return soon, what position should we
take? Should we be promoting methods of success that produce big
churches with shallow believers who are asleep when Jesus returns?
Shouldn’t leaders be sounding the trumpet and warning of His imminent
return? This
is a time when pastors and church leaders must make decisions regarding
the direction they are going to go. It is a time to proclaim God’s
word with boldness. Jesus is coming soon! |
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Understand The Times is an independent non-profit organization in
Canada and the United States.
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