Empty Pews and Closing Doors

ABC News’ Steve Osunsami reports on how churches faced with empty pews are fighting to keep their doors open, while former houses of worship are being converted into bars, clubs, and luxury condos. They say they are having to close their "houses of worship." Much of this corresponds to lack of attendance.

Someone said, “We’ve become a culture that doesn’t need God as much as they think they do,” whatever that means. In the 1940s, 80% would say they belong to a “House of Prayer,” speaking of a religious edifice. Now it’s 45%. People say it is a problem of the leadership, the failures. Hollywood in its presentation turns these same leaders into a joke. People will tell you that they’re Christians, but they just don’t go to church.

Some of these urban churches with historic old buildings are turning much of their property to a real estate development to “save the church.” It doesn’t sound good, a real estate development saving the church, because it seems in scripture that Jesus in fact is the only one who saves the church. You’ve already lost the church if saving it comes from using the property for real estate development. It’s still true that salvation of the church is Jesus Christ. That’s why He came – was born, lived, died, resurrected, and ascended into Heaven.

Believers believe, and they please God by believing, which does include the virgin birth and other such doctrine. These are certain, dear reader. That’s what this is, certainty. We believe what we know, and we know scripture. When a church capitulates, it was already done. Let’s live with optimism, knowing our future, that the church is secure, but we must work with Christ for its perpetuity.