DIRECTOR'S BLOG

Dr. Sam Martin

It is a wonderful privilege for me to represent the Mission and this includes meeting with families, Individuals, Churches and various groups. Needless to say, it is an honor to meet and share with so many wonderful people from all kinds of backgrounds, and all ages united in their love for God and for the children of the world.

Last Sunday it was thrilling to be the guest preacher at ‘Celebration Church’ in Barrie Ontario, part of the Anglican network in Canada, led by pastor Brian McVitty. Whenever my wife and I walked into the Church, we could sense the presence of God and were blessed by the vitality, warmth and friendship of the congregation. They were so interested, so appreciative and encouraging, it was a blessing to be with them.

After the service we had a wonderful meet and greet time, during which a visiting Anglican Priest spoke with me. He shared his struggles with what is happening in the Church world today and said something that was deeply profound and caused me to think/ He said:

‘The Church is no longer the Church of God,

It has become

The Church of the People!’

I knew what he meant. It seems the Church today is more given to please people than it is to pleasing God. More concerned about being politically correct than biblically correct! And I believe that is why so many are walking away from the Church, why they feel the Church is failing them. Of course that raises the question: ‘What are the marks of The Church of God?’

Obviously it would take pages to answer that, but let me list a few characteristics of the Church of God for you to consider.

Firstly, there will be an absolute commitment to the authority of Scripture expressed in a life-style that is pleasing to God.

Secondly, there will be a commitment to worship. Worship that is God-centered, Christ honoring!

Thirdly, there will be pure doctrine, a commitment to Holy living and a growing knowledge of truth.

The Church is the Church of God. He is the Head, and we His people should be seeking to fulfill His Mission. We should be living to please Him and we should do all to please Him! When we fail to recognize this then we will become a Church of the people and not the Church of God! The result? Consider the picture below: