— Critical issues concerning the Church —

Fellow Warrior,

I’ve just finished reading 100 e-mails from saints world-wide, some of the thousands who, each week give up on organized church; most coming from those we call CODfish.  Institutionalized church is undergoing a major change and many sober saints, such as these, are responding by leaving.  They’re not abandoning Christ’s Church, only local assemblies which they believe poorly portray the biblical pattern.

I remind any of us who dare address such issues to do so with utmost love, respect and care, for we indeed are considering the very blood-bought body of Christ.  Jesus is building His Church and we all labor under His authority and judgement.  Pray therefore for the Holy Spirit’s unction, even as I now do in approaching a perplexing Church development.

CODfish Wilderness

Be encouraged, it’s a time & place of preparation.

(Part 3 of 4)

"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil ... And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him." — Mt 4:1; Mk 1:13

“CODfish”¹ is the name we coined to describe a growing body of believers who leave the organized church to unwittingly join the Church Of the Displaced.  These folk are distinctly different from the “dissed,” disaffected or disgruntled, although some have indeed been abused.  Most are seasoned and sincere saints who’d previously been in leadership or ministry.  Feeling displaced in their home churches, they opt to leave — often after praying and agonizing for years.  They head out into the unknown; the “wilderness.”

Displaced by What?

In a another article² we examined the affects the Church Growth Movement (CGM) is having on local fellowships and its impact on individual saints — being the engine powering the rapid expansion of such enterprises as Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral, Warren’s Saddleback Community Church and Hybel’s Willow Creek.  These are representative of many thousands of fellowships whose leadership have embraced the popular Purpose Driven³ (PD) concepts.  At its core is the notion that a local church should be “designed” to meet needs of the community.  Presumably, locals will then visit and eventually get saved; a take-off on a business approach for success: “find a need and fill it.” With thousands of these Franken-churches now in place, some come off as a morphing of McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Starbucks and AA, with elements of rock concerts and a psycho clinic — a religious McWalBucks.

One who’s not had their own church so taken over can only imagine the impact on solid saints who’ve called theirs, “my church” for years.  After a pulpit change (or heretical infection) this indeed is what’s happening across the land; in fact, worldwide.  Trusting their leaders, many faithful embrace the introductory hyperbole, welcoming new bodies and buildings as a move of the Spirit.  However, it eventually dawns on the true believer that the whole shameal (plant, program, doctrine and attitudes) no longer even resemble “my church.” Even distinctives between it and business institutions can become blurred as traditional icons of the Christian faith are replaced with nondescript, nonreligious symbols, logos and whatevers.

Most pulpit messages then target the felt needs of newcomers; many of them unsaved.  Solid “sheep food” becomes in short supply as newcomer numbers (and wallets) take precedence over whatever had taken place before the PD concept took over.  Biblically ordered local churches are consecrated places for believers (not pagans) to worship and be prepared for ministry, but many now take on the ambiance of a McWalBucks snack bar or chatroom.  Exacerbating the faithful’s dilemma, new-found prosperity generally tends to dim pastoral hearing of real sheep-bleating.  Some of these solid saints even find their ministries and voices less welcome.  They hurt and feel displaced.  Thus the setting for the current diaspora ... from within the Church.

Let’s talk wilderness.

By definition and inference, “wilderness” bespeaks the unknown, strange and to some degree, danger and discovery.  Few venture into such territory and are of two types: inherent explorers and those compelled by a command, lofty ideal or survival.  Although Abraham had been ordered by God to so embark, similar to him, today’s displaced are searching for a church NOT made by human hands.  Motivated by idealism or spiritual survival, off they’re going into the unknown — the wilderness.  Historically, God has used the wilderness to prepare for the most profound advances of His Kingdom, notably through Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Paul, and of course, Jesus: the wilderness architect and Himself its graduate.

Leaving a prosperous life, Abraham was sent into the wilderness to confirm that faith is the foundation and basis of a believer’s relationship with God and thereby became the “Father of many nations.”  Joseph endured years of wilderness internship before exaltation to power where he helped provide the womb for the nation Israel.  Moses fled a royal life in exchange for 40 years of wilderness prep before being called to deliver His people from bondage and into covenant with God.  To birth the nation Israel!  Young David served his wilderness time under Saul before becoming Israel’s warrior king who taught us how to worship and be “real” with God.  It earned him the singular title of being a man after God’s own heart.  Leaving a prestigious religious life, after conversion Paul was led into the wilderness for years of divine tutelage in preparation to teach us the doctrines of the Church, its organization and functioning.  Jesus left the seat of all power, glory, holiness and righteousness to be born into this earthly wilderness where He revealed God’s Kingdom, convicted the world of sin and paid the price for our eternal salvation.

All this because of their call to and conduct through, “Wilderness U!”

Today, with 52,000⁴ defections from churchdom each week and with an astounding 94% of them being leaders,5 we’re prompted to ask: is this of God?  Is He presently calling out those destined to seed, feed and lead an imminent new Kingdom development?  Only He knows but it behooves every true follower to hearken up to what’s afoot and seek the Lord for discernment, wisdom and guidance.  Moreover, if what we’re witnessing is God’s hand at work, realize that He doesn’t simply call people “out” of something, but into something else; it’s for a purpose.

Every saint understands that we’ve been called out of the world’s system and into the "Church of the first-born" (Heb 12:23).  The question we must now each answer is: “Am I part of a legitimate expression of that same church?”  Though having started on the Narrow Road (Mt 7:14), it’s possible that some have unknowingly ascended one of the many “on” ramps to the Broad Way (Mt 7:13); that we have been purpose-driven into "another gospel" (2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:6).  Be assured, the Lord would never call any of His beloved out of that to which He’s called us into: His Church and its faithful assemblies.  Just as surely, He does call us out of those things which are not of Him.  Selah.

Now what?

Assuming you ARE being led by the Spirit and are considering leaving a corrupted assembly (or already have) — be encouraged.  Moreover, if you’re unable to find another biblically-sound church, take heart in the knowledge that you’re in the company of a burgeoning body of like-situated, solid saints. You might even be right in the center of God’s will.  This does not solve your problem, but it can comfort with His peace and give a better mental footing by which to proceed.

This is a divine opportunity to fast and pray, also the time to take our eyes off the problem and rivet them onto THE Solution.  Interpretation: don’t look backward and dwell on the enemy’s wiles (and persons) that caused the problem in your former church.  Look "... unto to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2) to learn what He has in mind for your future.  It’s a good time to search out and draw from the wilderness lessons of our spiritual forefathers where a casual perusal reveals that obedience was vital.  Even Jesus learned obedience "... by the things which He suffered" (Heb 5:8).  Remember, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2Tim 3:16,17).

Having spent years in the wilderness ourselves, we offer the following.  Rather than a woe-is-me outlook lathered with guilt for not conforming to ritual, be encouraged with the hope that this season might be God-ordained.  Perk up; approach it with positive expectancy.  Be especially alert, sensitive and obedient to the Spirit’s leading.  Ignore the tripe from erring shepherds and well-intending others who would dissuade you from what could be a major step forward in your spiritual growth.  Welcome the additional dying-to-self opportunities inherent in the wilderness.  See this as a time to draw closer to the Lord though more earnest daily prayer, study and meditation.  Judiciously network with other displaced saints and avoid the spirit-sapping influence of the simply disaffected.  Above all, rest assured that you are not in this alone.  The Lord is with you every step of the way and is faithful to never leave or mis-lead you.  Seek Him.

God has a fruitful plan for each of our lives that can only be fulfilled through our total surrender to His will.  IF HE HAS, OR IS calling you out of your present situation, it’s because you are ready for the next step in His divine plan.  Be assured, your new situation will eventually be better than the former and will surely glorify God.

1. CODfish Denomination? — Some 3 million seasoned believers join it each year. (Part 1 of 4)

2. Rabble and the Redeemed — Are the rabble among the redemmed leading the Church astray? (Part 2 of 4)
3. Purpose Driven? — What’s behind this latest craze, and can we trust it?

4. Out of Egypt, p 250,  by Charles Crismier  ISBN 1-57921-196-8
5. The ‘Out-of-Church’ Christians — by Andrew Strom   www.revivalschool.com

6. CODfish Update — Church Of the Displaced (Part 4 of 4)

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