Ol’ Church Revival

By Scott Johnson

THERE IS A LOT WRONG WITH THE CHURCH. FROM CRUSADES TO HYPOCRISY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CHURCH? MAYBE YOUR PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE WITH THE CHURCH BUT WITH SOME OF THE FLAWED IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE HOPE OF THE WORLD BECUASE IT IS GOD'S PLAN AND IT WILL WORK. SO MAYBE WHAT WE NEED IS A REVIVAL? AN O'L CHURCH REVIVAL.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667824857

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

WHAT IS CHURCH?

Is church a building? Does it only happen if you wear a suit and tie? Don’t forget the tie. Is it when a group of people gather? So when you hang out at your friend’s house, is that church? Well, as long as you use the name of Jesus Christ (but not in that way). Does there need to be a certain quota of bibles to be considered a church? Where two or more are gathered, right? Wait, wrong context, I think. What is it? What really is church?

The problem is that often we have a misunderstood concept of church, and with that comes different issues.

Many in our society say church is irrelevant; they believe it’s filled with old ideas and opinions that humanity has surpassed. We as a society have grown past that. The belief that there is some ‘sky god’ that plays mean tricks with humankind is irrational. It is time to move on. Some might say church is a place of judgmental people, filled with antiquated ideas and in turn judging others for their ideas and actions. A place that uses words like grace and love but full of hate. It has become so toxic and divisive that churches don’t even like other churches. If the churches can’t even like each other, why would anyone want anything to do with it?

I get it.

I remember a time in ministry where it seemed so confusing that a church’s leadership would discuss and be upset with another church because they were getting too close to their ‘turf.’ They were upset at another church that was reaching people because they were too close to them. Mind you, this other church was not biblically inaccurate. They kept to the same essential beliefs. They were doing similar ministry and it was all good. Except, they were too close. Really? Churches are going to fight over this? We can’t seem to even love our own. So how can we show love to our communities?

Another understanding of church is how out of the loop they seem to be. I mean, first off, they believe in a sky god. Already a little crazy, but you don’t even need to look at that, just look at how the church and its representatives act daily. Some are on social media saying some crazy stuff, using the letter ‘Q’ as some tool of information and knowledge. There is a famous Instagram account about how some pastors wear really expensive sneakers. But honestly that often is a small issue in the underbelly of the church.

Does the church just spend money like they are ballers? Private jet, anyone? Okay, I don’t need a jet, but I definitely need a Tesla. It is for the ministry, I promise. Is that church? Surely not.

Here is the problem, all these issues are not just our society thoughts in the moment, they come from ideas from our history. And let’s be honest, the history of the church is not always a good one. The Crusades. Remember all those murderers using the name of Jesus? Not a good look. And sometimes things can feel similar today. More and more churches are focusing on societal norms which