I’ll get back to that thought later, but first let’s look at the early warnings that our walk with God is beginning to move in the wrong direction.įirst and foremost, if our faith has weakened, then we’re not studying the Word of God. It’s an unconscious process, often unrecognizable until it looks as if it’s too late to repair the damage. How about your spouse, your friend, your child? Were they once closer to the Lord than they now appear? Before you turn the page, see if you recognize warnings in the life of someone you love.ĭrifting away from God is something that happens slowly. Maybe today’s column doesn’t apply to you. How do we know if we’re spiritually drifting? The Bible certainly acknowledges that it can happen, but what are the early warning signs that we are moving away from God? From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does.“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1) The problem is exacerbated when whole churches become comfortable drifting.Īs President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. The problem comes when people seek the status quo rather than seeking the lost. Every church will struggle for a season with finding a purpose. When a church grows numerically while having fewer conversions, it’s potentially drifting without purpose. Praying for lost friends does not happen haphazardly. People can gather for worship while personal evangelism is drying up in their lives. It is possible for a church to grow numerically and do less kingdom work. Your church should be acutely aware of what is currently happening to Christians all over the globe. A church drifts when the older generation is willing to sacrifice the souls of the younger generation in order to cling to their preferences. Therefore, sometimes in churches, the older generation’s concerns trumps that of the younger generation. Additionally, children don’t often get to voice their preferences or concerns. The church should resource the ministries with the greatest fruit. However, the reality is most people are saved at a younger age, not older. Every church is called outward to reach others unlike those already there. In fact, a church full of just one generation-young or old-is disobedient. There is more of a focus on the older generation than the younger generation.The messiness of new believers should be seen as God’s beautiful work, not as a disturbance to the status quo. If a small group or Bible class would rather not deal with the messiness of assimilating a new believer, then it’s drifting from God’s mission. New believers are perceived as disturbing the peace of the body.Mission drift often occurs when people believe cross-cultural sending doesn’t apply to their congregation. Do your church leaders call attention to the billions that don’t know Christ? Is your church broken over people who have never heard the gospel? Worse yet, sometimes church leaders rant and rail against other nations as if they don’t deserve the gospel. Church leaders do not speak about the lostness of the nations.If your church is giving less and less to missions each year, then it is likely drifting. One clear way to determine a church’s priorities is the budget. The percentage given to missions out of the budget is shrinking.A lack of a celebratory spirit over God’s mission is one indication a church is drifting. When God sends, the church should erupt in praise. When people go, the church should celebrate. You no longer celebrate God’s mission in a worship service.However, when people start talking about themselves without any mention of Christ, your church is not only drifting, the congregation is dangerously inward. Conversations in the church can be about any number of things. The chatter is all about people and not Jesus.But what causes this drift? What are some early warning signs of an unraveling in a congregation? Let’s look at eight practical indicators. It’s obvious to point out drifting churches as lacking purpose. I have yet to see a church drift towards God’s mission. Like the flotsam and jetsam in the sea, a church adrift does little more than float along as aimless debris. Churches with purpose pour collective energy into one direction.Ĭhurches without purpose tend to drift. A church excited about the gospel is a church with a laser focus on making disciples. God’s mission is clear: He seeks and saves the lost.
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