The Church as a Dilapidated Old House — Some Observations . . .

I am not looking to be particularly critical of the church. But this picture tells me there’s much work to do — in the local church!

Starting at the top left, the local church is often “greatly in need of repair.” Changes in leadership, in programs, in priorities might need to be seriously considered.

There are “plenty of windows,” but there appears to be no one home! How is the local church looking at the world, at its immediate neighborhood?

This house “looks dangerous — for all the wrong reasons.” One can get seriously hurt in this house with its many broken parts. There is, however, a good kind of danger in the local church, right?

There are “probably a lot of leaks (gossip?)” in this house. Gossip is lethal. Gossip is hearing something you like about someone you don’t. And it has no place in the local church!

What’s the “junk cluttering up the front porch” of the church? Pet doctrines? Overly indulged preferences? Cliques?

Did you notice that there seems to be “no people/no one living there’? When our numbers begin to dwindle in the local church, we should not be surprised that outsiders aren’t interested in joining us.

There appears to be a “fence to keep people out.” Fences can be good (especially regarding orthodox and heterodox doctrine). But there are things we do in our local churches that essentially put out a NOT WELCOME mat!

This house “needs a serious painting.” Not a whitewash. But some color, some protection from the elements, some scraping away of whatever contributes to its ugliness.

Well, that is my perspective. But don’t miss the note at the bottom: “there’s still hope! (no condemnation sign posted)”!