Living the Legacy,
Part 2
This is a continuation of our “Living the Legacy” feature last quarter.
QUESTION TO OUR PANEL:
What do you think about the state of the church today? We get a unique perspective when we are allowed to compare the last 30 or 40 years. So, knowing what we know – seeing what we’ve seen – is the church better off today than it has been in times past?
BOB HOOPER:
Well, that’s kindly a loaded question. I think the church is better off because we have seen the error of our ways. You got a bunch of Christians today who are bulletproof. No matter the congregation size, no matter how much they have or how much they need – they’re still gonna be here. You know, Bill’s been preaching on Gideon and that story reminds me of the Marines. That’s what Gideon wound up with.
BILL WATSON:
Well, not the marines exactly, but he did get “a few good men.” Gideon didn’t know how many it would take, but God did.
J.B. HOOPER:
It’s like the Texas Rangers. Their motto for the last two centuries has been “One Riot, One Ranger.” If the state has an elite group, I think God can as well.
JO ELAINE HOOPER:
Sure. We are an elite breed. Other religions, other denominations, and even the forces of hell themselves can rise up, but when the dust settles, the church people that we know will still be standing here.
BOB:
You know all people – Christians and non-Christians alike – are being attacked. And I hate to say it, because for the most part we’ve already got our hands full, but I believe it’s the job of the Body of Christ to fix it. We get a lot of people that start coming to our church to just fulfill their moral obligation. However, once they get involved, they find that they can actually use what our church offers them. We believe in worship, fellowship, and the application of the Word. I think that’s what helps us fulfill our call. People come to us in disarray and we help them find God.
JO:
Well, our “stick-to-it-iveness” is contagious. We don’t try to push it on anybody, but I think people see us and they want what we have. When they attend our services or talk to us at all, they get more than a Gospel message.
BILL:
Well, the basic salvation message is as easy as falling off a log. Living a life that God designs, that abundant life, that’s where it gets sticky.
BOB:
Yeah, the heaven part is easy. But the years getting there – that’s where the pressure is.
J.B.:
Well, I think that’s the major battle for the church today - how do we deal with reality? Life in the pew and pulpit is difficult, but it’s nothing compared to life outside of the church walls. The true test of the church is going to be how it can instill Godly principles into a society that is already full, a society that doesn’t know that it needs to be filled with the glory of God.
BOB:
For the most part, Christians and the church have been misrepresenting God. If we aren’t healthier than the world, if our families don’t stay together longer or if our kids don’t do better than the world, then what are we supposed to be showing people?
BILL:
Well, they have sickness, death, disease, divorce, and hard times at home. Why go through all the same stuff in a church pew?
BOB:
We’ve got to show them the strength and power of God. Paul says that there are many who have a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. We’ll go to church, but when it comes to day-to-day life, we sort of ask God to stay hands-off. “Jesus, get me to heaven but don’t interfere too much along the way.” I don’t know about ya’ll, but I need the power.
J.B.:
Well, the church as a whole has failed miserably in certain areas. We are not always completely focused on God. We are too easily distracted by power, praise, and prosperity. We have been a stumbling block for some, but we’ve been a saving grace for others. What lies ahead is anyone’s best guess.
JO:
Well, the uncertain future is in our hands. Without God, our hands are calloused, empty, and useless. But I think God is raising up a generation of Christians who are prepared to lead the church into the next era. And, for
us, that’s good to hear. We really need a future and a remnant that we can rely on.
Author:
Issue: Autumn 2007
Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 31:8
Psalms 34:1
Proverbs 3:5
Romans 12:12, 15:13
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