26/02/2026
OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHURCH – Part 7 - THE PEOPLE
In this, the seventh and final observation, we look at the congregation, the people who attend the church.
There are many scriptures about this. Here are a few.......
Hebrews 10:24 encourages us to meet together to spur each other towards love and good deeds.
Matthew 18:20 confirms that where 2 or 3 are gathered together, He will be with us.
Psalm 122:1 talks about the joy we have when meeting together.
Acts 2:42 tells of the church as a place for teaching, communion, fellowship, and prayer, all vital parts of living the believing life.
Colossians 3:16 talks of teaching and worship when we gather together.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 encourages believers to boost and build up each other.
Are we achieving these goals with our church meetings?
Being honest, I think it is fair to say we are missing out on many of these objectives of a vibrant, powerful, spiritual gathering.
What has gone wrong?
LOSS OF VISION
Most church groups and denominations were started by people with an inspired vision, a newly revealed inspiration from God, from which a new group is formed. E.g., John Wesley formed the Methodist Church, and William Booth, the Salvation Army.
Sadly, when the visionary dies, those following don't have the inspiration they had. So what did they do? They normalized the founder's vision into rules and regulations that they believe reflected the vision bearer.
So what do we have today? So many dead churches and denominations that would make their founder cry, or maybe scream! Lifeless churches produce, mostly, lifeless followers.
TRADITION
The same way of doing things carries on year after year, with comfortable people in the pews. Until someone suggests a change, likely to appeal more to the people today! Then there is an uprising! You can't change what we have been doing for years, decades, and centuries!
We have a connection with a church like this. A younger couple in the church wanted to change to a more modern approach that a younger generation might understand. Eventually, with considerable outside pressure, the couple have been allowed to implement their ideas and projects in an attached but separate part of the complex. Hopefully, all will be well. The traditionalists have their church, carrying on as it always has, while the younger couple are happy and relieved to be able to do a new thing, appealing to today's generation. The Word of God doesn't change, but the method of presentation must change to connect with a generation whose life experience is so different to ours in every way.
THE LACK OF A TRUE DESIRE FOR GOD.
Sadly most, but not all, people who attend church see it as their religious experience for the week. In my experience, this is more so in Traditional and Evangelical Churches than in those Spirit Filled, but it is present in all.
Going to church once a week is all that is needed to fulfill obligations to God. Yes, you may keep most of the 10 Commandments, but that is all. The rest of the week goes on as normal.
RELYING ON THE PASTOR FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNICATION WITH GOD.
The really sad result of not having a personal relationship with God is that people rely on the pastor to communicate with God for them. This attitude goes back to the Old Testament, where the Priests were the ones who communicated with God on behalf of the people.
Today, however, we are so blessed to live under the New Covenant of Jesus' blood, through the horrendous sacrifice he made for us on Calvary's hill. We are now a “kingdom and priests” or “a kingdom of priests," depending on the translation used.
We are empowered to have a direct relationship with the Father! Amazing! It is so sad that not many use it, relying instead on the pastor to be their spiritual conduit to God.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER.
The second of the 2 primary commandments Jesus gave, after loving Him, was to love our neighbors as ourselves. This has to do with good works, but firstly, to get to know our brothers and sisters in our church. So many of us go to church, then home, without developing meaningful relationships with anyone. Next week we come back and do the same. Hospitality is a great way to do this. Okay, we live in a busy world, I know, but Jesus and Paul both encouraged us to eat together.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS?
Teaching on discipleship. To get people to understand that giving your life to Jesus is only the first step in an amazing journey in Jesus. We have salvation (Justification), followed by Sanctification with the ultimate goal being Godliness.
Teaching people how to pray, not only to God, but also to prepare them to wait on God to talk to them, and most importantly, do as He says.
Splitting people into groups to discuss what is being said from the pulpit during the service.
Home Groups are good but usually attract the keener believers. Encourage everyone to belong. In a radical church I know of, people were meeting in groups 3 weeks in the month and together in the church in the fourth week!
Shift people around in the church service. Front to back, back to front, changing sides, sitting by different people than they are used to.
And other ways you can think of.
David Tait
Walking With Jesus Ministries
wwj.org.nz