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We note that some mega-churches often cast aside feeding poor widows and children, or caring for the ill and dying. They’ve replaced worthy ministries as their “spiritual guides” preen in the public square. Some, but not all of these churches, may do marches supporting gay pride or pro-choice drives… all while the nave in their church is child empty. This modern deterioration of our Christian population is being fought by some ministers and congregations, but they’ve been somewhat ignored by denominations and synods which sinfully accommodate the secular world. For me, the switch in focus is also seen in the form of my Facebook pages and blogs. While I claim that they do have their place because of some success for a bible study that I write, and thus they do evangelism, these do not support the local gospel missions. I often think my online activity is too much of a distraction as the Christian faith continues down the local path toward dissolution. It’s too easy to get online rather than attend worship. In small towns, therefore, we march along competing with social changes. Farms close down. We lumber less. We go from church families to scattered individuals. Abortion mills in local towns murder our infants and our surviving children move away for college and employment futures. We find parents occasionally in the coffee shop communicating with distant family via cell phone, modem and other gadgets. The results are that family churches dwindle. As distances between family members and community ties grow, too often many isolated young people find themselves mired in lowered morality, high divorce rates, children aborted, parents spurned… and a great rise of suburban and urban isolationism. These feed growing national suicide rates. The extremes of this insane social movement drives headline news across a society that knows even despite prescribed legal drugs and booze… that things are falling apart. |
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Black Robe Regiment-Allegany-September 2025 |
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Because of this, I make no excuse for turning to scriptural source for cure. Faith history reveals to us a clear path forward. We of the rural or small-town churches need only remember that our Lord Jesus was not born into the access of a metropolitan government or large temple cult, but was of lowly birth in a small community. He grew, was tutored, and came of age nurtured by a small religious group that valued scripture and one another’s company. I offer that this pattern, once prevalent in the great expanse of the Roman Empire during the first century, is what God graciously will give us as much needed momentum. This gives spiritual power and foundation to the Church. I contend that this is the pattern yet called for at this stage of our collective American history. I believe we must instill this vision of our rural calling to worship and proclaim the gospel. What does this mean? Simply put… the small church can use its “smallness” deliberately. Cast away your want of impressive keys to mighty fortress doors and focus on the building the God’s kingdom in many small satellite communities. How small? As small as God wills! Remember that Jesus said… “For where two of three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Yes, certain adjustments will be made to the community of believers. House churches may even be started. These may flourish in either small towns or rural crossroads. A faithful cleric may travel farther to do community visits to more than one church. |
