There is just something about these churches with all their sports, and gymnasiums, and slides, that is really starting to get to me. I mean how many people are getting saved through their soccer games? How many people are meeting Jesus because "Whoo! That water slide was so thrilling!"?
The main factor of all of it that bothers me is the fact that churches make the majority of their money through donations. So those members that give money to further the gospel are getting it funneled into a water slide. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with soccer games, volleyball games, gyms, and slides. I also think that churchgoers need to have fun and putting a little bit of money here or there into some activities isn't bad. However, when that is the main focus and when people are solely going to church for the 'activities', what good is it doing? The might as well go to a recreation center.
However, when the majority of those "non-profit" donations are going into recreational activities, the churches have a serious problem. When did churches no longer become about preaching the gospel but sheer numbers? Personally, I would rather attend a church with 10 people that are actually going to church to have an encounter with Christ, then to a church with 100 people and only 10 are going for an encounter with Christ.
What happened to witnessing for Christ? When did it become witnessing for your church? Frankly I don't care if by witnessing to someone my church gets one more member if they aren't saved. I would rather them go to someone else's church as long as they find the truth. I don't care what church a person goes to, as long as the church is preaching the truth and the person is going to the church to hear the truth.
Maybe if all the money going to extravagant buildings, structures, and recreational activities went into furthering the gospel of Christ, there would be more people hearing the gospel and changing their lives. Why not take some of that money and send someone on a missions trip or fund a mission already in progress? Why not take some of that money and feed the widows and orphans? Why not take some of that money and clothe the naked? "An the King will answer them, I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for me." -Matthew 25:40.
Churches shouldn't just be social events, they should be saving events. This is a cry to the churches of America, please get back to the gospel. Please put the funds that the church receives back into furthering the reach of the Kingdom of God. Please stop worrying about your 'public rating' and stop caring if the world thinks your building is pretty and get back to the basics! God isn't going to give you brownie points for having a pretty building, but you will find favor in His eyes for helping those that can't help themselves.
