It is easy to live in the past. Sometimes that is good; sometimes not so good. We can see that come out in several ways.
Church motto: The seven last words of the church- “We never did it that way before.”
You can see it in songs: Styx had a song “Tonight’s the night we make history” in which they lamented the death of the Paradise Theater and how it used to be the place to perform.
You can see it in life: People living in the past and talking about how things were. Only they say it another way: “Remember the good old days.” (Somehow I don’t think those who lived through the Depression would call it the good old days).
All that to say that many people spend too much time living in the past. Businesses that don’t progress die. Ball teams that rob their farm system for victories right now languish in the gutter for several years. And of course, churches that try to live on past glory will eventually become dinosaurs. I like the way someone put it:
Self-satisfaction is the death of progress.
Since I pastor a church I am obviously somewhat biased when it comes to this blog. I am concerned about the church becoming extinct in its influence in the world. The church will never become extinct because Jesus said, “I will build MY church and gates of hell will not prevail against it.” But our influence can certainly wane. I am also aware that some want to remain “relevant” and in the process compromise standards to do so. I see nothing wrong with using video, Power Point, drama (sort of a thing of the past), and others ways to teach the message. However, never NEVER should the message of the Good News of Jesus be shoved aside in an effort to reach people.
Too many churches want to live in the past. They revel in their glories. Meanwhile, monuments built years ago sit mostly empty as people leave in droves. The church simply has to stop saying, “I remember when God did thus and so. Those were great days.” We ought to be grateful for the encounter with God, that miracle, that divine intervention, but we simply cannot stay there.
That is what was cool for us this past weekend. And next weekend. I was able to share the Purpose of the church (OVCF), something I/we have never looked at before Sunday. I am totally stoked about this coming weekend. I can’t wait to share the future! No living in the past. No living in the “weres.”
How was your Sunday? Do you feel like your church spends too much time (re)living the past? How about you individually? What are you doing to make sure you look to the future?
Hi Bill,
I am reading the Bible to make sure that I am forward ‘looking’ to the future. This is the greatest book ever! and it is shameful for me to say that I should be spending much more time reading it.
Between God’s Spirit and God’s Word the church has what it needs to grow and prosper. I was reading the book of 1 John today. The church needs to be so careful not to embrace the viewpoint and thinking of the world. I John says this is evidence of an antichrist. The world opposes Christ.
I think that the older generation of believers that are still alive did experience more of God corporately in their day. The experience with God in the church has digressed rapidly since the 70’s and 80’s.
No question we need to be careful. Can’t comment on the last paragraph since I have no idea one way or the other.
Hi Bill,
The church that I was attending in the early eighties was coming into some of the charismatic movement. There was lots of body ministry taking place. There was lots of encouragement and opportunity for a believer to develop in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is almost non-existent now in many churches because of the abuses and false prophets, teachers, pastors and so forth that have taken advantage of this movement to adorn themselves with false authority.
But, God always has a remnant. A true people.
Bill,
If we look at the fruit or the ‘evidence’ in the lives of believers, we see a digression. This could be because many people are coming into the church for social and moral reasons.
When I think of the experience of my husband and myself coming into the church in the early 80’s, and how dramatically our lives were changed, nearly overnight, by the Holy Spirit, our excitement, and our desire in trying to share with others the God that we had found, there is no doubt the church experience has digressed in my mind.
In some churches things are so well hidden and kept close to the chest that even those who might be getting saved in that church are unknown to the congregation as a whole. Only some get to know that piece of information. This is a wordly action. ‘Knowledge is power’ is the mantra of the world.
I think you already know my thoughts on the Charismatic movement Linda and certainly know my thoughts about all the false teachers out there. I also have no knowledge of the holding things close to the chest since we celebrate new converts and introduce them to the church. Now sure how “knowledge is power” fits in.
I have definitely been a part of one of those churches that live in the past and hear about it all of the time. I think one of the main things is that too many churches are focused on what happens within the four wall instead of what is happening outside. To put it another way, they aren’t BEING the Church in their communities, just for 2 or 3 hours a week on the church grounds.
You bring a good point to light Larry. Many churches are focused on what goes on between the four walls. It shouldn’t be!
My Sunday was spectacular. But it was a sermon not from my own church that made me sit up and listen. For the first time since I left the abusive church scene, I see clearly what the next step is in following Jesus. I am excited!
So glad to hear you had a good Sunday. Someone preached a powerful message for it to get to you. 🙂
Indeed. The pastor of a small church in Apex,NC.
Very cool. I love hearing that it came from a small church. Chances are good that no one will hardly hear of that man of God.
The thing about the past is that as I look back on it I can’t see the wisdom that I have now. Not that I have all I need, but looking back should be a reminder that we keep growing or shrinking in our lives… all depending on how we see the past and future.
Keep growing or shrinking. That is the key to looking back. Wise words Floyd.
I believe that knowing what your church’s purpose is and actually following it and designing your content and what you offer around your purpose should take away the living in the past issue.
I think a big part of my church is living in the past. It is a constant struggle for our pastor to pull people along. Knowing what our purpose is helps him explain to people why we are doing certain things.
Very helpful and very insightful DJ. sounds like your pastor gets it.
Sunday was really great.
We were slain (in the Word of the law)…and then that gospel Word of forgiveness raised us again to new life.
AND…we received the Lord’s Supper…the pure gospel…on top of it.
And then we gathered afterward for some good fellowship.
A great day. Thanks for asking.
Yep, sounds like a great day. 🙂
As I get older(Just turned 61) the future gets less interesting as most of my life IS the past. I think there comes a time to turn the thinking , planning , and striving to the younger generation. They tend to have better ideas and a more forward looking mind set.
I think Darwin explained the threat of staying the same (and dying out) better than anyone from a scientific standpoint. Creatures that adapted thrived and those that didn’t became extinct. The same I suppose for organizations.
On the other hand “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Changing for change sake isn’t necessarily a good idea either.
Anyhow my Sunday was great. Lots of good football and my fantasy team went to first place in the league.
You say some really good and insightful things here Jeff. (And you are a tad older than me). 🙂 I totally agree with your changing for change sake isn’t necessarily good. Colts fan are you? Had to be happy.
Not a Colts fan. Just a Football fan. I actually liked the Colts better when they were in Baltimore. Unitas, Berry, et al.
Def telling your age now. 😛
I was visiting a black church on Sunday. They were definitely not dwelling on the past.
Bet it was romping. 🙂
Our Sunday’s message was a progressive, forward looking, call to action…loved it!
Sounds like a good one jay.
And this is why you have an awesome church! 🙂
Church for me this Sunday was glorious, as always.
And, I look forward to this Sunday.
Personally,God has worked on me hard this year to get me out of the “past”, not just guilt, but missing the days when the kids were younger, wanting to go back for a “redo”…..He has taught me to look at the blessings He’s given me now & the ones that are yet to come. 🙂 Awesome post.
Thanks Jan. God gets the glory for it. Glad you had a good Sunday. 🙂 I know God has worked on you. It is good to see the progress.
Yeah I live too much in the past. That was a time before all the trouble started and I came to the place I am now. Sad and pathetic I know, but I feel too helpless to look for residence elsewhere.
Maybe God will help pull you out of the past and point your face to the future. Can pray for that and I will.
On the one hand, I think it’s great to celebrate what God’s done and the victories that he’s given you. But I think that, just like Peter during the transfiguration, we have a tendency to want to live on those mountaintops instead of coming down.