Surviving The Wounded Church

By Geoff Gordon

This book details the problems plaguing the church in America and around the world today. It offers solid answers as to what an individual can do to make changes for the better. The author does not mince words in pointing out the glaring issues, but he also shows grace in his solutions for any concerned person to make changes. The premise is that one person may or may not change the wounded church, but one person can change another person wounded by the church and maybe in the process effect the church that is desperate to move forward with a genuine, Christ centered faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Geoff Gordon
• Release date: May 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310001390

Geoff Gordon

Geoff Gordon is the Pastor of a Church in Lutz, Florida, married, and has 1 son, 4 grandchildren. He and his wife, at the age of 51, left the business world to plant Willow Bend Community Church, a church that is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Starting with 2 members, the church has grown, bought four acres of property, and built phase 1 of their ministry center.He spent 4 years in the United States Navy with one tour of duty in Viet Nam. Geoff has owned a number of businesses. At the age of 32, he was taken by his wife to church where he heard the Good News for the first time and gave his heart to the Lord.Geoff attended Faith Theological Seminary in Tampa. Florida to learn more about the Bible and ended up getting his Doctorate in Pastoral Psychology.

Book preview

Surviving the

Wounded Church

Geoffrey B Gordon, Ph.D.

Surviving the Wounded Church

By Geoffrey B. Gordon

Copyright 2014 Geoffrey B. Gordon

Smashwords Edition

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Chapter One: The Church Today

Chapter Two: One Minute Ministers

Chapter Three: The Impatient Church

Chapter Four: Selfish Christians

Chapter Five: Selfless Christians

Chapter Six: Praise Changes Things

Chapter Seven: Trusting or Blaming God

Chapter Eight: The One and Only

Chapter Nine: Taking Your Place

Chapter Ten: We Were Soldiers

Chapter Eleven: Great Things

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

To my wife Linda, without whose encouragement, faithful love and her support, I would not have had the desire to write this book (or for that matter do anything else that would have any significant consequence).

FORWARD

The ultimate purpose for writing this book is that many Christians will experience the true satisfaction that comes from serving God on His terms and not on their own terms. In order to accomplish this purpose, I have had to present some of the ugliness that has been a part of the church for way too many years. So, please bear with me for the first three chapters. I honestly believe you will receive a blessing if you read this in its entirety.

We begin the first chapter with a number of fictitious scenarios in a church service setting. Even though the names have been changed, I have personally witnessed this kind of activity more than once in my walk with the Lord. It seems as though we are falling for every kind of unsound, unscriptural teaching today. We will be very sorry in the long run if we let this continue to happen without taking a stand for what is right.

False teachers have cunningly infiltrated our ranks in the church. They are very influential and have manipulated hearts and minds for their own gain and purposes. These charlatans and con men have been exposed, humiliated, and even imprisoned for their antics. Thankfully, some of them have repented and learned from their failures, but others continue to operate.

It seems that for every one of these folks who stop the con, two more emerge with a new gimmick to get their hands on unsuspecting people’s money and respect.

When we, as the church, get back to the basics of loving the Lord, serving Him and others and growing in Him, these men and women will not be able to continue to be so successful in leading others down the road to destruction.

Those who follow the false teachers are in grave danger themselves. It breaks my heart to see this happening. But even worse, it very painful to see so many Christians fall by the wayside and give up on the Lord when they discover that they have been played by these heretics. It is perplexing to watch good men and women fall for what these creeps are teaching only to find themselves in despair when they learn that those they admired greatly have been leading them down the wrong path for their own gain.

My earnest prayer is that you will find this work of comfort to you. If you are beginning to wonder about some of the things that are going on around you, on TV, the internet or in your church, perhaps this book will help you see these people for who they really are. Maybe you are having a tough time with some of what you are witnessing. Hopefully, this will help you.

We, as the church of Jesus Christ, have been mandated to set an example of purity and righteousness. If we are being taught to act like those who do not know the Lord, how can our light shine or how can we show them something better than what they already have.

The true benefits of serving the Lord cannot be measured by worldly standards. They are far better than this world has to offer. Things like peace that passes our own understanding even in the midst of trials and unwelcome situations. And the road to this kind of peace is contrary to everything these clouds without rain teach.

CHAPTER ONE: THE CHURCH TODAY

As the pastor stepped up to the podium, he paused for a moment to glance around the sanctuary. He quickly scanned the congregation then looked over at his associated pastor, his minister of music and finally the choir. Everyone was nicely dressed. All of the men and women who were still left in the choir were wearing their new robes that had just been purchased. As his eyes made contact with theirs, each one of them smiled with pride as if to seek his approval before he looked away. He returned each smile with a wink, a nod and a thumbs up to demonstrate his approval of their long awaited selection of robes.

He then turned to the congregation and said; Good morning!

The response was less than overwhelming, whereupon he said; Good morning! This time it was a few decibels higher in order to solicit a more enthusiastic response. He cupped his hand to his ear pretending to be straining to hear him. The intended results were accomplished with a booming Good morning from the pews.

He smiled and said; I just want you all to know that we really appreciate your faithfulness regarding tithes and offerings. Last Sunday, you set a church record for giving. I know that the Lord will bless you abundantly for your faithfulness.

He then introduced the associate pastor who made the announcements with wit and humor.

As the pastor came back to the podium he thought; Everyone seems to be in a great mood today, filled with joy.

He continued to survey the sanctuary as he introduced the music director, who picked up his microphone and motioned to the musicians to begin playing. With a sudden burst of energy, the music began to ring out.

He skipped across the platform with a great deal of zeal and with a booming voice said; God is great and greatly to be praised. C’mon everybody, stand to your feet and give God glory with your praises and thanksgiving, for this is a day that the Lord has made. Let’s all rejoice this morning by singing and clapping our hands.

The music was fast paced, upbeat and certainly uplifting. It had a rhythm that was energizing and invigorating, causing an excitement to build like a great swelling wave flowing over the congregation. The walls of the sanctuary began to reverberate, as one by one, men and women sprang to their feet singing, clapping and giving glory to God. The whole room was alive with music and joyous praise. God’s children were coming together in unity to give Him honor with their voices, proclaiming victory in Jesus’ name.

As some of the people began to dance and lift their hands, the pastor began to muse; Why does nearly every person here today struggle so much to live a victorious life outside these walls? They seem so confident of the Lord’s promises while they are here, but as soon as they leave most of them appear to be completely defeated. Something is so very wrong in the church these days, but I just can’t put my finger on the real problem.

As he thought about all of these things, he looked over again at his music director and thought; He has always been full of energy as he leads the music. There doesn’t seem to be a person on the face of the earth who loves the Lord more than Jim. But, I can’t get rid of the image of him the day he came to me and confessed that he had been drinking to the point of intoxication after nearly every service for years.

Nobody knew of his dilemma at the time, but I can still recall how he acted in exactly the same way that he is acting now when he was leading the music. He would direct the song service with fervor only to get plastered in secret when he went home. Thank God he has repented and turned his life around. He must have been a truly tormented man at the time. It has been almost two years since his confession, but I often wonder if the temptation is still strong in his life to drink.

The pastor prayed silently for his brother; Lord, please help him. Give him the strength to resist any temptation.

His focus returned to the music still playing at a brisk pace. As he tuned back in, he looked around the sanctuary once again and noticed John and Mary. They seemed to be really enjoying the service.

He wondered; Are they still on the brink of divorce? The hours of counseling they have received from me seems to have had little or no effect. Neither of them is willing to give an inch to save their marriage. They are both concerned more about being right than being married. To look at them right now, dancing in the aisle, you couldn’t help but believe that they are the happiest couple on the planet. But, unfortunately when church is over and they get home, they will more than likely get into one of their patented knock down, drag out arguments. They have reached the point where they could not care less that the children are watching them fight. They appear to be determined to live their lives without joy, each demanding his own way, and neither one is willing to give in the very least to save their marriage.

As he continued to visually sweep around the room, he noticed Ralph with both hands in the air, laughing and singing as if he did not have a single care in the world.

He thought; Ralph cannot keep a job for any length of time. He refuses to be a team player at work. I would feel really uncomfortable recommending him to any employer again. He always manages somehow to get fired. He is such a miserable man at work. No one wants to be around him. But to look at him right now, you would have to believe he has the Spirit without measure. Something just does not add up in this scenario. I can’t put my finger on exactly what he is missing.

As he continued scanning the room, he caught sight of the singles group sitting in the last two rows. He could see that Jimmy and Rhonda were not in attendance again today. They had begun living together about seven months ago, strictly for convenience, nothing more than a plutonic, financial arrangement. They both needed a roommate to share expenses. And, they were adult enough to keep their relationship strictly on a business level. Now Rhonda is