A preacher telling us Charles Stanley’s Prophecy at the 1979 SBC:
This is exactly what the preacher said:
Charles Stanley told us a prophetic warning at the SBC in 1979. He told us that in 40 years the churches and pulpits would be more interested in big buildings rather than good preachin’! . . . guess what this coming June will be? that’s right . . . it will be 40 years! (This was sent to me via e-mail & I don’t remember by who and I don’t vouch for its accuracy).
I pastored a wonderful bible church some years ago in a small city of about 50,000 people. Recently I spoke to a friend who still lives there who told me that in the last 5 years, the 3 largest Baptist churches in the city had spent somewhere around 50 million dollars on new buildings and/or additions. That equals out to $1,000 per person in this small city.
Now in defense of these churches (if this is defensible) this was probably considered a 100 year investment in the community. I do believe that the church needs decent facilities and even attractive, God honoring facilities. However, I can’t help but wonder how many pastors in America and missionaries abroad who have devoted their every breath to proclaiming the gospel, are living below the poverty line. I also wonder how many pastors this year will have to tell their children, “I’m sorry honey, I know you want that gift but we just can’t afford it this year. Maybe next year”. Tough duty that!
God provides the needs of His children. Sometimes He sends a bird to steal a steak off of someone’s grill to deliver it to Elijah (cooked just right too). At other times, He causes the flour and oil to last beyond what is possible. Most times though, He provides through us, His children giving their excess to other Christians who have little. I can’t help but wonder what kind of response these 3 churches would get if they knocked on an unbeliever’s door with the gospel and a $1000 grace gift that said Jesus loves you for real.
Radical I know! Just musing here. It is my site so I am allowed to muse here. Think about what God has given you and what you really need this year. If you discover that you have extra, I know a youth ranch that could use some help and some faithful pastors with children who are barely scraping by. If this doesn’t appeal to you, I am sure there is a church in your city with a building fund.
