The Future of the Church

This phrase is often used to refer to children growing up in the church. All parents – and everyone else involved – want to see these children grow up to be Christians. But even if they do, they are only part of the future of the church. In this article, I want us to consider the future of the church – in particular, as it relates to each local congregation – and notice what we can do in the present to help the future church.

Understanding the Church’s Future

The Lord’s church (the universal church) will never be destroyed. Jesus said, “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18). In prophesying about the church, Daniel said, “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44).

Even if every living Christian dies and there are, therefore, no local churches, the Lord’s church would still have not been destroyed. Why not? The seed remains – the word of God (Luke 8:11); it endures forever (1 Peter 1:25). Peter wrote, “For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). One must be born again (baptized) in order to be part of the kingdom (John 3:3, 5), which is the church (Matthew 16:18-19). When the gospel was preached on the day of Pentecost, “those who had received the word were baptized” (Acts 2:41) and were added by God to the church (Acts 2:47). Because the seed remains, the prospect of people being added to the church remains.

However, local churches are also important – these will be our focus in this article. Paul described the church as a self-edifying body: “From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

As local churches work to build themselves up, they are in a constant state of transition. Paul told Timothy of the importance of training others to help in this transition: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Local churches do not remain static. The New Testament records a very concise history of the church in Ephesus. It went from infancy (Acts 19:1-7) to maturity with elders overseeing the congregation (Acts 20:17). Afterward the church went through turmoil (Acts 20:29-30) and eventually apostasy (Revelation 2:4). Even if change is slow, every congregation is in transition. Every member will someday be a former member – they will either pass away (2 Timothy 4:6), move away (Acts 18:1-2; 1 Corinthians 16:19), or fall away (2 Timothy 4:10). But that does not mean that every congregation will be in a state of decline. Churches can grow in spite of this and must work toward doing so.

However, it is important that we understand that the future of our local churches is not completely in our control. Man has free will (cf. Joshua 24:15; 2 Corinthians 5:11). We cannot force people to convert or remain faithful. But we must do what we can. Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). We must do the work God has given us to do.

Groups That Will Make Up the Future of a Church

Understanding that each local church is in a constant state of transition, who will be part of these congregations in the future?

Children – This is what we typically think of when we talk about the future of the church – children growing up in the church. One of the qualifications of elders, and the goal of all Christian parents, is to have “faithful children” (Titus 1:6, KJV).
Current members – This group is sometimes overlooked when we think about the future of the church. While we know that we will not be around forever, we should have the same dedication that Paul had to be active in the cause of Christ as long as he lived: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me…” (Philippians 1:21-22).
Brethren from other churches – Sometimes brethren leave one church and place membership with another congregation. This is often due to a move (Acts 18:1-2; 1 Corinthians 16:19) or problems that could not be resolved at one’s previous church (3 John 10).
New converts – When people obey the gospel, God adds them to the church (Acts 2:41, 47). They must then join a local church (Acts 9:26).
Restored brethren – When a Christian falls away, he may later return and be restored (James 5:19-20).

How We Get These Groups into a Church’s Future

Unless we are content with a congregation slowly dying as members pass away or move away, we must strive to get people from each of these groups into the future of the church. How do we do this?

Children – Parents have the primary responsibility to teach their children. Paul said, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). They must be taught “from childhood…the sacred writings which are able to give [them] the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Churches may supplement that teaching through Bible classes and the preaching done in the assembly (1 Timothy 3:15), but parents must recognize their primary role in this.
Current members – In order to keep current members, we need to encourage them so that they do not fall away. “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13). We must work to build up one another (Ephesians 4:12, 16). Growth is expected so that current members can, in the future, potentially provide necessary teaching and leadership (Hebrews 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:1, 6).
Brethren from other churches – We should be careful with this one. In this instance, one congregation grows at the expense of another. This should not be done unnecessarily. While brethren may decide, for various reasons, to move from one congregation to another, we should not be trying to actively recruit new members from sound neighboring churches. Instead, what we should do is what must be done at all times – stand for the truth. “Retain the standard of sound words…” (2 Timothy 1:13). Sound brethren may be looking for a congregation that is committed to this.
New converts – Obviously, in order to get new converts into the future of the church, we must evangelize – collectively (1 Thessalonians 1:8) and individually (1 Peter 3:15). In addition to this, we must also have the attitude Paul described to Titus: “Be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures…” (Titus 3:2-3). While we must not tolerate sin, we should be welcoming to those who could potentially come to Christ.
Restored brethren – Again, we must not ignore sin. But when a brother falls away, we must not write him off completely. Paul wrote, “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15). Then, once a brother repents and returns, we must forgive and “reaffirm [our] love for him” (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Conclusion

The future of every local congregation is uncertain. The only sure thing is change. As we move toward the future, let us do what we can today to strengthen the church of tomorrow.

This article is one of the fifty articles included in the book Plain Bible Teaching: The First Ten Years. Click on the link to read more about the book.