Did a “Google” on “ministering to meth addicts” after reading an article about how that’s the single biggest problem law enforcement agencies across the country report. I know it’s huge here in Ozark and Howell counties. The results of my Google were few and far between. There seems to be little response in churches to help people off or keep people away from this home-grown source of destruction.
Is the church really that unresponsive?
It’s no wonder that so many these days call the church, the Bible, and Christianity itself, ‘IRRELEVANT.’ We’re too lazy or too powerless, or too scared to do anything about such a problem. We want the easy approach – call it sin – and leave the rest to the Lord.
In Jesus’ day, his disciples were busy casting out demons, healing diseases, and helping in many different problematic areas. When they came back one day, unable to be successful, they asked the Lord, “Why?” We don’t even do that. We don’t ask the Lord why we’re not successful. We simply stop trying; using the excuse that it’s no use.
The Lord’s response was simple: “this kind [of demon] comes out only by prayer and fasting.” I’m not certain that the church has returned to this approach. Rather, I believe that the church has lost faith in a few things: demonic possession, prayer’s power, and fasting. If so, we are crippled, and we are as irrelevant to today’s world as a paraplegic is to professional football.
I would like to call the church to return to putting ourselves on the line, trying to reclaim the souls lost to meth.
- We need to learn about how to minister – and that may mean some huge changes in our own lives, even painful growth. We’re breaking new ground.
- We need to trust the Lord and return to prayer and fasting.
- We need to return to the life of sacrifice and love the Lord’s example gives.
- We need to show others how to do it, too.
"We" is the key term.
ReplyDeleteFive years out, eh?
If you don't find some "we" to add to your I, then you're headed for burnout, and that's why the church in the USA is generally ineffective (in my view). The church in the US expects pastors to do the work (that's what they pay you to do, supposedly).
The church has lost its power primarily because it has lost its sense of community and its sense of purpose--for the building of community in the worship and service of the Lord.
If you build a strong core of mature Christians and focus on building a community that is interested in serving the Lord in all the myriad ways--you're on your way.
Your church is small, you say.
That's actually an advantage if you're advocating change. People don't like change, generally speaking, and Christians don't appear to be an exception.
Lord bless your efforts.
Bryan,
ReplyDeleteIf you think, even for a moment, that I'm in it by myself, you've got another thing coming. :)
By the way, why don't you help me get the word out and email my blog to everyone you know. Perhaps someone will get on the bandwagon!