Growing up, I remember my Sunday school teachers having periodic “sword drills” where they would call out a verse of scripture and the class would have a race to see who could be the first to find it in their Bible (sword). Although its been quite a few years since my last sword drill, I would like to propose a new kind of sword drill for the church.

Christians in America know that our culture is shifting –rapidly. Almost every day a new ruling from an appellate court, state legislature, voter referendum, US legislature, or supreme court is moving us further and further away from biblical standards. Bottom line: Christianity is becoming marginalized and, in many ways, subtly villainized.

Here’s the question: what does this mean for the future of the church in America?

Pastors and church leaders must realize that in the near future, “cultural Christianity” will most likely be a thing of the past. People will not show up on Sunday mornings because it is “what we do” or “what is expected.” No, soon, the only people showing up for church will be those who are solidly committed. Don’t believe me? Just look to nations who have already blazed this cultural path before us. Consider the churches of Europe, the former Soviet Union, and China.

Recently, we have witnessed the beheading of Americans, on American soil, in the name of Islam. I have a feeling these are only the first few drops in what could become a flood of persecution. Eventually, it will most likely land on the church.

Imagine what a typical Sunday might look like for your church five years from now: You show up early on Sunday morning to remove the political signs in your churches front yard declaring your congregation as “bigots.” You greet members as they come in. Unbelievers rarely visit for fear of being associated with such a controversial group. As the service begins, you look out over the congregation and realize only a small fraction of the people who once packed into your sanctuary are now in attendance. Ever since the Sunday morning beheadings began last year, the uncommitted have stayed far away.

In the past, we have measured church success by who shows up on Sunday mornings. But going forward, perhaps we need to judge success by who is willing to stay.

So I propose a new sword drill for the church. Ask yourself, if the threat of the sword came upon your church, how many would be committed enough to stay?

Pastors, I urge you, start looking for commitment more than crowds.

  • Boldly proclaim truth -whether culturally accepted or not.
  • Train robust disciples who will make more disciples.
  • Promote accountability and commitment in membership.