You don’t need the church to be saved. It is by grace that you are saved through faith. That has always been the case… And besides, it’s the 21st century, a new millennium. Surely our worship has to change to keep up with the times. And look at all the good things we have to choose from today. There are hundreds of resources they didn’t have 100 years ago. Does the 21st century need a church?
If it’s godly music you want, you can find that on numerous radio stations and countless internet downloads. Better still, you can choose the type of Christian music you want and when you want to listen to it…Preaching is important, too. But there are lots of popular TV and radio preachers as well as hundreds and thousands of internet productions to choose from… As for praying, Jesus said that we are supposed to pray secretly, in our closet, right? And when it comes to corporate prayer, just imagine getting thousands on social media to join the cause!… As for Bible study and teaching, who needs to call a pastor with a question or concern when you can find answers in your study Bible or 300-page commentary on the Book of Romans. Even if you want detailed information that comes from the original languages, you can find interlinear Bibles or search up Hebrew and Greek resources for every verse and every word in the Bible on the internet… Maybe it’s local, social interaction that you want to have with your neighbors. Let’s be honest, there are many community programs and activities to choose from…Maybe it’s community service you want. Chances are, there is a community organization or government program waiting to help you or give you a place to volunteer… Or maybe you just want to hang out with other Christian teens. There is probably some Christian organization out there that is ready to sign you up so you can get your T-shirt and attend their rallies with young and exciting leaders – no need to confess your faith or be baptized to join.
So, with all of the contemporary resources we have today, we can’t avoid the question any longer. Does the 21st century need the church? The answer is simpler than most 21st century Americans would like to admit. The simple answer is “yes.”
The answer is “yes” because God built His church on Christ and promised that it would never be overpowered (Matt 16:17-18). The answer is “yes” because the church is God’s plan for propagating the gospel (Acts 13:1-3). The answer is “yes” because the church is a fellowship of believers who pray together (Acts 12:5, 12). The answer is “yes” because the church is the “household of God, the pillar and ground of truth” (1 Tim 3:15). The answer is “yes” because the New Testament epistles were written to churches. The answer is “yes” because God designed the program of the church, complete with pastors and deacons (1 Tim 3), positions unheard of in the popular and contemporary Christian ministries. The answer is “yes” because Christ’s return is promised to the church (Rev 22:16). The answer is “yes” because God gave the ordinances of baptism and communion specifically to the church (Acts 2:41-47). So, you might be content to come and go as you please, consuming the multiple Christian resources this world has to offer. But I urge you to reconsider. You will get so much more out of the Christian life when you do it the way God intended. Go to church. Join the church. Be the church of the 21st century!