Where is The Church?

The modern "christian" church in America generally meets every Sunday; such a meeting usually has 45 minutes of worship, and 45 minutes of teaching. This modern church meets in large cathedrals, or buildings, or warehouses; it usually owns one or more properties, of which it is most often indebted. (Note: many modern churches own multiple facilities, which they rent or lease out.)

This modern church generally has paid staff which work from 9-5, and is headed by a pastor, whom works approximately 4 days a week.

This pastor's duties are largely consistent of: marriage counseling, administrative pep-talks to staff and parishioners, compiling sermons and attending church functions.

This modern church generally has a small group of what are termed as 'elders', (usually a dozen or less) some of which may be lay-pastors, or assistant pastors, but chiefly this group consists of CFOs (chief financial officer); they oversee the expenditures of programs, cost of goods sold and salaries. Generally 'elders' are volunteers.

Income: 90% of the income generated by tithes usually goes right back into the modern church building, the church building programs and staff salaries.

Expenses: church building mortgage, church building maintenance costs, sound systems, landscaping, utilities, child care facilities, playground, parking lot, staff salaries, advertisements/mailers.

Advertising: The 10% (or more) left over from tithes is most often used to advertise church functions such as bake sales, car washes, Coffee Houses, concerts or the various drama shows. Most modern churches advertisements are found in phone books, and on shiny mailers in your mailbox.

"Missionary" work is generally extracurricular.

Doctrine: This can vary from church building to church building. Some modern churches believe in the Bible and some do not; some believe in the Bible but hold a loose affiliation to it, which often come out in the Sunday sermons, where a majority of the sermons are spent on moralism, "purpose-driven-lives" and anecdotical stories, than on Scripture.

The one, universal doctrine that rings true in today's modern church, whether Bible-believing or non-bible-believing, is the regular church building attendance and tithing. Coincidently, this unified doctrine is of premiere importance in today's modern church; you cannot be considered among the faithful if you do not attend Sunday service regularly.

So, the question I have is: Does this modern 'church' fit the Biblical model of The Church, the body of Christ?

And, regarding this modern church (or, as I might call it "the false church"... with very few exceptions) is there any Biblical evidence to support its pastor's duties, elder's duties, its doctrines and actions?

- Steven Styles  (Read Sister Article: Find the Local Church)

We encourage you to email the author to prove or disprove, from the Scriptures, the intent, meaning, purpose or doctrine of this piece. email Steven