Is the Church Still Needed Today?

As the 20^th century dawned in the USA, most of the land was still rural.  Life in rural American was difficult.  Those people made their living by the sweat of their brow and the callouses on their hands.   For the most part, transportation was limited to ‘horse & wagon’ – which was both hard and slow.  Communication was sparse. 

One of the traditions of that day was that the local pastor would arrive at the church building on Sunday mornings shortly after daylight.  As he began his daily tasks, one of his morning duties was to RING THE CHURCH BELL.  Ideally, this bell could be heard throughout the community.  The sounding of the bell sent out the message that “Today is the Lord’s Day, get your chores done, your horse & wagon ready, put on your “Sunday” clothes, and make it to church.”  (The reason most churches meet at 9:45 on Sunday mornings is that this was the earliest those rural people could get to church)

Attending church services are an important part of the history of this country.  However since 1991, George Barna tells us that the statistics are so dismal that it begs the question:  Is the church still needed today?

Candidly, in this busy culture no one needs another activity, meeting, drain on their time, energy, or finances.  However, to look at local, national, and international events, the church is not just needed but required if we are to change the landscape.

Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hades will not stand against and I will give (to the church) the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Based on HIS words the church is needed for several reasons but consider just one. Opportunity – Jesus has given the church the ‘keys’ to heaven and earth.  Key holders always have great opportunity.  The church has God’s blessing to open up the way to heaven and eternal life while, at the same time, locking up the evil of this world. 

If there is to be a world worth leaving for our children, it will be because the darkness of the prevailing evil has been pushed back.  If the evil gets pushed back, it will be the church, owned & operated by God, who does it.   

Bro. Jerry Watts

Checkout Pastor Jerry’s web site @ www.jerrywatts.net for his books entitled

“Words Of Warning”

"And They Were Called Christians"