Revitalization or Recalibration

I have entered the season of life when I have teenage drivers. Teenagers think that all that a vehicle needs is gas and a driver, but experience teaches that there is more to keeping the vehicle on the road. Over time, no matter what you drive, you will have to do some maintenance. The oil will need changing, the wheels rotated, and the steering adjusted. If these things are not regularly sought, at some point you won’t be driving that vehicle at all.  

Church revitalization is a worthy endeavor as the church seeks to reach the world in the twenty-first century, but I believe this term is somewhat limiting. We readily admit that an established church may need some uplifting, but do we see that every congregation, regardless of how new or sound they may be, will eventually need a tune up? The New Testament epistles addressed to churches and their leaders are usually corrective in nature. In other words, there will never be a time when a church does not need to realign themselves for the sake of remaining vital.

How can pastors and churches commit themselves to a lifetime of revitalization? One New Testament book gives us insight into this on-going process. 1 Corinthians begins by exhorting both leaders and believers that realignment is both needed and possible.

FIRST, THE EPISTLE SHOWS US THAT LEADERS SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO CONSTANT BIBLICAL REALIGNMENT.

One could wrongly assume that the congregation at Corinth would need little in the way of realignment if we looked at their leadership line up. They were planted by the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:1-11), and he spent over a year with these believers teaching and loving them. At some point the famed Apollos was their preacher. Apollos was competent in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24), so we know that his ministry was impactful. Aquila and Priscilla were at one time faithful members. Even the synagogue leader Crispus and his household was converted (Acts 18:7-8).

When we look at the investment of leadership this local church had, we would assume that this should be the gold standard example of church health. While these dear people were called to be saints and equipped in every way (1 Corinthians 1:2-9), they struggled with the world. What does that teach leaders concerning their congregations? No matter how learned you are, how eloquent, faithful, or intentional…your church will need to periodically make some adjustments to maintain biblical faithfulness. Our job as under shepherds will be to lead our people back to the chief shepherd who reveals himself in the word. Don’t be discouraged or dismayed that your church needs this constant encouragement.

SECOND, THE EPISTLE ENCOURAGES US TO TEACH OUR CONGREGATION OF THEIR NEED FOR BIBLICAL REALIGNMENT. 

The ministry at Corinth recorded in Acts 18 shows that this church began with what we might call phenomenal success. After all, “Many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8).” Yet in spite of all of these blessings, the church struggled to maintain everyday gospel faithfulness. For example, the church fought against factions (1:12), faithfulness to the gospel (2:1), fleshly selfishness (3:1), sexual immorality (5:1), lawsuits (6:1), idols (8:1), head coverings (11:1), spiritual gifts (12:1), love (13:1), tongues (14:1), and even a clear understanding of the resurrection (15:1). If these dear saints struggled with worldliness, every other local church certainly will. Preach to your people the need to remain faithful to the gospel. Many may think that they are safe and secure simply because they have good shepherds and expositional preaching, but that false sense of safety is never assumed in the New Testament. Spiritual warfare is real, and the church must be ready.

FINALLY, THE EPISTLE SHOWS US THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HELP US AS WE SEEK BIBLICAL REALIGNMENT.

While there is much ink on how this local church had problems, the Holy Spirit began by noting that the church at Corinth was, “The church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints (1:2).”  God has much grace for those who are weak. He also did not leave them to their sin and selfishness. We are told: “…you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end (1 Corinthians 1:7-8).” The Corinthians lacked nothing needed to realign themselves toward gospel faithfulness, and neither will your local church.

The reality is that we all need to constantly seek to evaluate our ministries in the light of the Word, and the good news is that God does not leave us to do that in our own wisdom and strength.