I can't imagine a greater tragedy than the doors to the Lord's church closing. Over our many years, several of the places we have been all those years ago have done exactly that. In other places we know about, the membership has been cut in half and is continuing to dwindle. The ones left are the elderly. Where will they be in ten more years? Sadly, they will probably go the way of Old St Thomas, with the doors closing after the last funeral has been held. So what to do about it?
The first thing is to realize that it is not the preacher's job alone. What happened when the Jerusalem church was scattered? …And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles…They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word (Acts 8:1,4). Those who were scattered—the ordinary members—went everywhere spreading the Word. The preachers, in this case the apostles, stayed in Jerusalem!
It is up to us. If our coworkers and neighbors don't know we are Christians, why not? We are to live in such a way that we look different and people ask about it. If that has not happened to you, perhaps you need to examine your life. We are to talk about our church family—not complain about them, but tell others how wonderful it is to be a part of a group who loves you and cares about you, who come running when there is a need, and that means we need to learn to be that group if we aren't. And we should be so steeped in the Word of God that it cannot help but come out of our mouths any time we talk. How else can we be ready always to give answer to every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you (1Pet 3:15).
Many gospel preachers labor valiantly in places where the growth has been slow or nonexistent for years, where the old-timers talk about how it used to be in the old days and blame the recent loss of numbers on anyone but their own lack of effort. But even if the effort is there, the work may seem pointless. Be careful about your judging. Ultimately, we are not responsible for the numbers. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase, 1 Cor 3:6. Just do your work, making no apologies for it, and trust God to do his part. In one place Keith worked, he advertised a correspondence course and a young man obeyed the gospel because of it. Every week after that he sat on a pew and worshipped with the others, but a couple of men in the business meeting wanted to do away with outreach programs like the correspondence course and an article in the local weekly paper. "It does no good," they said, with that young man sitting there among them. I wonder how that made him feel? Even one soul is worth whatever effort it takes to save him.
Let's work the work, trust the Lord, and do our best to keep those doors open. Interestingly, Old St Thomas has begun to reappear as the waters of Lake Mead recede. It is now considered a historic site run by the National Park Service. There are too many congregations relegated to history as it is. Let's not add any more.
They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers…And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved (Acts 2:41, 42, 46,47).
Dene Ward