Watchmen Wanted!

Watchmen are wanted because the coming of Christ is near, yet the churches are nearly dead. False teachings and doctrines are increasing. 

A book written by Joana Schultz and Thom Schultz, entitled: Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore gives some concrete information and statistics about why Christians have stopped going to church.

Joana and Thom Schultz:

• Every year, more than 4,000 churches close their doors forever.
• Church attendance is shrinking. While 40% of American say they attend church every week, the actual number is more like 20%. 
• Within five years, the percentage of congregations characterized by “high spiritual vitality” dropped from about 43% in 2005 to 28% in 2010.
• In just 5 years, the percentage of teenagers attending church every week has dropped from 20% to 15%.
• Every year, 2.7 million church members fall into inactivity.
• From 1990 to 2000, the combined membership of all Protestant denominations in the U.S. declined by almost 5 million members (9.5%) while the U.S. population increased by 24 million (11%).
• Half of all churches in the U.S. did not add any new members to their ranks between 2010 and 2013.
• Researchers are predicting that by 2020 more than 85% of Americans won’t worship God at church.

Not just in North America, the pioneer Christian countries have encountered the same issues. 

Recently, the Myanmar churches in urban areas have started encountering gradual spiritual decline. A foreign visitor might surprise to see great numbers of churches, seminaries, and orphanage centers, but not all of them are God-loving and Christ-exalting ministries. A couple of ministries exist for baiting foreign supporters. I know their loves for God. I have seen their commitments and sacrifices. And yet, the enemies know how to steal, kill, and destroy. They were once the watchmen, now, who need to be watched.

But, within such situations, my country Myanmar still has several spiritual leaders and God-loving watchmen who promote spiritual renewals by uncompromised faith but pursuing Christ-centered and Spirit-led ministerial activities. They have constantly been appealing at the forefront of building Myanmar Christianity at its best. Most of them, in their daily lives, fight against the spiritual flaws of the churches, stand with the helpless and the marginalized. 

We desperately need more watchmen of God today. The word decline is no longer shocking to us because it happens everywhere now. Ignoring it is a spiritual suicide. We are in a time of spiritual suicide due to our intended ignorance, stiff nakedness, and love for the world. That is why our Kingdom essences and flavors have declined.

Not only in the West, but also in Asia even in Korea, some Evangelical denominations have already lost their influences on the society. Many churches are being voiceless. While we are battling Christianity decline in the West, and believing its growth in Africa and Asia, many Christians (might) assume Korea as somehow the hub of today’s Christianity because of its mega-churches and missionary sending. But, in reality, the churches are sailing through dire spiritual storms. Typically, the urgent threat I discover in the Korean Christianity is the fact that about 29% of the country’s total population is Christian, yet, the majority are baby boomers, and the younger individuals are gradually leaving the Church for several reasons. It is essentially predictable what could happen to the Korean Christianity after these elderly men and women die. Also, I have witnessed the declined attendance at the Mission Korea––a mission conference for youth. Roughly, I can tell, about 40% attendance has been declining. [I might be incorrect in this.] On the other hand, I also witness the growth of Islam in Korea. Attractive tourist sites such as Jamsil Lotte world tower, Everland, and Korean Folk Village, etc. have Muslim prayer rooms. In fact, the Islam has become the fastest growing religion in the world today, and fifty years from now, it would turn into the world largest religion.

I strongly feel the urgency to call for Christ’s watchmen even if they would not respond. 

Source: https://www.amazon.com/iWatch-Christian-Challenge-Make-Difference/dp/1387715224/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8