IMAGINE THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH

Futurists tell us what the future of our society will likely be. A numerous band of preachers and professors have taken it upon themselves to “change” the faith, worship and practice of churches of Christ. Already they control two of our major universities and have a foothold in some others. They have been able to capture congregations in every section of the country, including some of our largest.
Having recently read a dozen books written by prominent spokesmen of the change movement, we can reasonably predict what churches embracing this movement will be like, given time to reach the full extent of their transformation.

	They will have renounced the concept of restoring the faith and practice New Testament Christianity. Many of the leading spokesmen have done already this.
	They will have dropped the name “Church of Christ” from their congregations.   Already several congregations have done this and others are being encouraged to do so. They find such names as Community Church more appealing to them.
	They will not view the Bible as the final and absolute authority of their faith and practice.  They will deny that it is a pattern for them to follow.  This is a cardinal doctrine of the change agents.
	They will have women in all areas of leadership, including the pulpit. Already a few have ventured thus far.  The advocates are busy preparing the way for this change.
	They will use instruments of music in their worship. When they first begin their transition they all deny such will ever happen.  But they argue that our objection to instruments is not a Biblical injunction, just our opinion and tradition.  The use of them they will not condemn as sinful. They already are willing to allow the use of instruments on some occasions such as in Bible classes, youth programs and special services. Like their older brothers in the Christian Churches/Disciples of Christ, who said and did the same thing, they will eventually have them.
	They will use choirs and soloists to sing in their worship services. Some already have introduced these changes.  Others are insisting such is acceptable to God. Such is a vital part of the entertainment approach to worship.
	They will have transformed their communion service. Some are advocating and some have already begun to observe it as part of a common meal.  Some insist that the day of observance is not limited to the first day of the week.
	They will be openly fellowshiping denominational bodies. Many are already doing so. Some are even inviting leaders of other religious bodies to come and speak at their services. Some are already participating in interdenominational campaigns such as the Billy Graham Crusades.
	They will not think of themselves as the Lord’s one true church. Rather they will openly present themselves a denominational body; one of the hundreds of similar bodies, all of the same worth and value.
	They will be claiming Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone as their founder. Many of their “historians” are already doing so.
	They will have demonstrative, charismatic/pentecostal type of worship services, strong on emotionalism and excitement and extremely short on Bible.
	They will prefer story-telling and drama instead of old-fashioned Bible preaching. This trend is well along even now.

Such mega-trends in churches tend to take one or more generations to reach full flower. Major shifts always trigger a reaction from those not inclined to embrace such  radical departures from the faith and worship they hold dear. This tells us there will almost certainly be an open rupture in the brotherhood of our churches.  While such make take 20 or more years to happen, absent some  major deliverance, it will occur. The extent of the damage the church will suffer is dependent on the response of those who prefer the old paths of primitive Christianity to the broad paths of denominationalism.  If, like Rip Van Winkle, we sleep the next twenty years, we run the risk of losing the great majority of our congregations, schools and people to the change movement. If, by God’s grace, faithful brethren can be stirred to action, we may hold our losses to a minimum. How does the future of the Lord’s Cause look from where you stand? Will you sleep or take
your place on the walls?