The Narrow Door...?

Question

At church last Sunday they were talking about how the end is near because the church is losing its population greatly. In 1974 the church had over 500 people. In 1986 it dropped to 300ish. Now in 2007 it only had around 100 people going. Maybe even less. And Ive noticed more and more people taking seats in the back, and leaving many rows empty at the front, maybe ebcause they didnt want to get caught talking, or not paying attention, I don't know. Could this be a falling away, and a sign of the end?

Answer 1

It just means that your pastor smells bad.

Answer 2

A falling away?, perhaps at one church, many others have shown growth in the same time period.
As to the end, doubtful, there are many prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled before the "End" comes.
Seek the Spirit as to what you, that's right, you can do to increase the numbers at the local Church, if they (the lost) do not know the church is there they most certainly will not attend. Some people need a little encouragement to be able to do what they know they want to do.
My fields are full and ripe for harvest , but the workers are few.
Many come to salvation because of personal need or loss, one must find the void in the soul of the lost and, fill that void. Only with the spirit can one do this, draw near to God, you will find the way, and than you can if you will lead the way, never look away from the face of God, no matter what.
God will be done!
Bobalo9

Answer 3

I assume you are talking about the Catholic church? If so, It has been said that their numbers are down. But if their numbers are down, then it is probably because people are finding the truth being preached somewhere else since the Catholic church is teaching many errors. The scripture you mentioned does not mean the falling away of the church, it means the falling away of the TRUTH. And the bible mentions that more will choose the wide path to destruction rather than the narrow gate which few will find. The narrow gate represents the truth as apposed to the wide path representing the false gospels of this world. Churches will be full of people in the last days. They will be going to hear what it is they would like to hear in order to justify their lifestyles. They wil have itchy ears. These churches will be full of People that think they will be in God's kingdom but will not get to see it because they were just playing a religious role and did not commit their hearts to the Lord.

Answer 4

We are already in the last days, but declining church attendance is not a sign. Sometimes when God is dealing with a congregation of people, He will purge out people who are not sincere. Not everybody who is in the church is there for God. So when certain messages come they quickly get offended and leave. God is not after numbers, but people who are truly devoted to Him not matter what, even if it is a few. The Lord wants true worship and not hypocrites. But also you will have to look at the teaching in that church.

Answer 5

Other churches are growing by leaps and bounds...the megachurch thrives and more are springing up everywhere. Now don't get me wrong because the dead church has a reputation that they are alive...so they must look alive to the rest of us and probabaly have a very charismatic worship stylew with 20 services and 50000 members......but as a discernment issue...is your Pastor teaching bondage or grace?

The reason I ask is that the modern legalism is what I call the "fruit of the spirit" legalism and it has replaced the old line "your going to hell" legalism. It is actually much more sinister because the new legalism is devoid of truth and expresses false love...but anyway...I could go on for hours....but if your pastor is of the old ilk of bondage...that is loveless to the downtrodden and sinners and staunch on the "truth" which is really false because it is loveless....i just don't have enough info.

So, what does your pastor teach?

agapefromnc

Answer 6

people are realizing faith must be everyday. a church
that can't supply that will fail. people are hurting. even
here in America there isn't enough food. i Know of a lot
of good Americans who only eat once or twice a day!
they work hard at jobs that can't even keep a roof
over their heads. if the church doesn't start helping
with basic needs these people will fall.
and yes the great falling away has started.
and no ADONAI IS not a piggy bank.

Answer 7

the falling away your talking about

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

that talks about satan who deceives the elect and they for some reason fall away from the truth.

There could be many reasons why the churches numbers have been dropping. Maybe people are going to another church where they feel they are getting more out of Gods word.

Answer 8

It could be or the sign of a failing church.

There are many churches that have grown by the thousands in the same time period. Even the 10s of thousands.

Answer 9

It's not a sign of the end of the world , it's a sign of the end of your church. As society changes so do the thoughts and religious beliefs of all of us and your Church is a prime example of that change. Most of the traditional churches today are in the same boat so don't feel bad. Change is difficult for all of us!!

Answer 10

Or a sign of poor management and leadership. The church needs an analyst. Or more sermons about the joys of marital bliss. As long as they bring their kids up in the faith.

Answer 11

Yes it is but the question is this: Which ones are the ones falling away? Those that remain, or those who have left?

Seek the true church by the Holy Spirit. We are being sifted.