\u201cChrist is the center.\u201d Hopefully, you\u2019ve heard that expressed, in some way, in your church. We want Christ to be the center of everything we say and do.<\/p>\n
At least, we say we do.<\/p>\n
The longer I serve in a church revitalization setting, and the more I\u2019m around guys serving in church revitalization settings, the more I\u2019m convinced one of the primary factors that cause churches to decline is an inadequate Christology. From my observations, when churches decline, it is because something other than Christ and His kingdom has become central in the church. Perhaps personal preferences have become central. Maybe facilities became most important. Maybe even budgets \u2014 or lack thereof \u2014 became the central focus.<\/p>\n
Each of these takes our attention off of Christ and the mission he has given to us (sharing the gospel with a lost and dying world) and turns it inward, focusing on us and what we need. But Christ will not share His glory with anyone or anything, including His bride, the church.<\/p>\n
In John chapter 3, we are told about the ministry of John the Baptist. At this point, he\u2019s been pretty successful in his ministry. He\u2019s had a lot of people following him, and we get the impression that people are coming in great numbers to be baptized by him. Then \u2014 get this \u2014 he even gets to baptize Jesus Christ Himself! That looks pretty great on a resume.<\/p>\n
But then something happens: Jesus shows up. And, when Jesus shows up, John’s role changes dramatically. He gets out of the way to make room for something or, rather, Someone greater. However, it didn\u2019t happen without controversy. In John 3:26, we\u2019re told that John\u2019s disciples come to him and say, \u201cRabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing \u2014 and everyone is going to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
John\u2019s disciples were concerned because Jesus was getting greater recognition. John\u2019s place wasn\u2019t as prominent as it once was. They thought he ought to be doing something about it. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to protect your identity, John.\u201d But John realized exactly what was happening: Jesus had to be central.<\/p>\n
In John 3:30, we\u2019re given a very simple but clear statement from John: \u201cHe must increase, but I must decrease.\u201d Think about that for a second. John was willing to step aside because he realized Jesus must be central.<\/p>\n
Pastor, it will be easy to say, \u201cWell, these folks in my church don\u2019t want to get out of the way so the church can grow.\u201d And you may be right. As Baptists, we do have a history of arguing over everything from the organ in the sanctuary to the fake orchids in the parlor. But, if we aren\u2019t careful, you and I can end up making the exact same mistake. None of us is without our own tendency to be self-centered. So, pause just for a moment and ask yourself, “Am I holding on to my personal preferences, rather than allowing Christ to be the center of His church?”<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that decreasing so Jesus may increase applies as much to you as it does to a curmudgeonly deacon who fights you tooth and nail. Don\u2019t trust in contemporary worship music, rather than traditional hymns, or in new chairs, rather than old pews, to revitalize your church. If you do, you\u2019re focusing on the wrong things. Focus on Christ Jesus, the head of His body, the church (Col. 1:18).<\/p>\n
If you want to see your church come back to life, trust the only one who has the power to bring what was once dead back to life. Then see what He does when we decrease so that He may increase!,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cChrist is the center.\u201d Hopefully, you\u2019ve heard that expressed, in some way, in your church. We …<\/p>\n