Church Killers

We are living in a period of general church decline. Many factors can be attributed to dwindling congregations and once flourishing houses of worship closing their doors. Some are out of our hands. However, there are other things that are well within our control. With this in mind I hope to explore attitudes that lend themselves to dividing and possibly causing the death of our beloved churches.

In no particular order, I ask you to consider the first of many attitudes that will kill a church:

1. Forgetting who is in charge

Most of us readily acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. Granted, this is easy to say and believe. But experience proves that it is much more difficult to put into practice.


In our family Bible reading we have been reading about the life of King Saul. Here is the story in a nutshell:

Israel wants a king.

God says a king will put you under heavy personal and financial burdens.

Israel rejected the counsel of God. They insist that they want a king like the other nations.

God gives them a King (Saul).

When we first meet Saul, he is the picture of humility. He was everything that Israel wants in a king. He was a dynamic leader who commands respect from those around him. Early in his reign as king of Israel the Lord blessed him mightily. However, as God blessed him he began to think more highly of himself than he should and began to usurp the authority that belonged to God. It started with him impatiently overstepping God's command and offering a burnt offering (1 Sam 13:9). Later, he blatantly disobeys the commandment of God in not utterly destroying everything of the Amalekites. God rejects Saul as king of Israel as a result (1 Sam 15:9-25). Thus begins the downward spiral and ultimate demise of Saul. I believe that the following verse sums up his actions:

1 Sam 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

Saul was most effective when he acted in humility. Unfortunately, he forgot who was really in charge! This same attitude that Saul exhibited has been replayed numerous times throughout the history of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the following scenarios:

• A minister confuses and scatters God's flock because he allows his ego and personal agenda to take precedent over God's word.


• An individual believes that his longevity at particular place of worship allows him to treat people in any manner that he sees fit.


• Cliques or large families exert undue influence or leave others out of church activities.


• Biblical doctrine or practice is compromised for the comfort of the congregants.


• Disgruntled sheep pointedly and purposely drive off pastors/preachers who preach doctrinal and practical truths.

In all of these situations, you likely have folks that started out with solid intentions. However, they begin to believe their own 'press releases' and think too much of themselves. Sinful pride starts to creep into their lives. No matter how noble their efforts, they quickly forget that the LORD is in charge of his church!

The Lord commands his church to always act in humility. Notice the following passages:

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. -James 4:10

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. -1 Peter 5:5

We have all been in Saul's shoes and have acted in pride. It is my prayer that we will learn from past mistakes and clothe ourselves in humility. The Lord is not pleased with competition for his glory. The growth and existence of our local church could very well depend us considering our attitude!