The Lukewarm Church, or Failure to Report. Part 2

First, let me apologize. In my last post, I reported that the Wycliffe Translators had "over 1700 languages" yet to translate. After publishing said post, I went to get my mail. I found the recent copy of their newsletter In Focus (Vol. 23, No. 2) wherein I read the following statement:

"Pray for the remaining languages that still likely need Bible translation to begin--under 1700 worldwide!"

I stand corrected. Obviously this is underreporting by myself.

I have, since the last post, also seen several small, but encouraging signs, consisting of reports regarding the strengthening of the Church, and the furtherance of the spread of the gospel, including to unreached people groups. Small but significant steps to be sure. We aren't on fire yet, but we are warming up. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

So, is failure to report the news of increased activity in advancing the Church's mission of preaching the Gospel to every nation, people, tribe, and tongue (Mat.t 28:19; Rev. 5;9) the real issue? Well, it is probably at least part of it.

On the part of the Church itself, I think that we have a tendency to refrain from "tooting our own horn" on matters like this. This attitude of humility, hopefully inspired by our Lord Himself, is indeed a Christ-like trait. I do find a renewed, yet somewhat subdued excitement regarding our mission in the world, including this aspect of it. Yet I continue to marvel, whenever I bring up this subject, how many act as though they are being introduced to it for the first time. Furthermore, I am surprised at how many have mistakenly been taught that this all-important task has been complete.

I continue to be persuaded that our efforts are being underreported by the mainstream media in particular. For one reason, they just don't care! I think that secretly, and often even openly, they look upon evangelical Christianity as a quaint, irrelevant offshoot of political conservatism that doesn't particularly deserve their attention regardless of what we do, or how newsworthy it may be.

A second, and perhaps more disturbing reason may be (and I'm speculating here)  that they do realized that, quaint and irrelevant (to them) though we may be, we were able to help in overthrowing their candidate of choice in the last election. Those of them who recognize this perhaps secretly fear us and our political influence on the undecided voters, and if they do not allow us a voice we will influence fewer of those who are uncommitted ideologically, or perhaps may even sway some of those who formerly espoused their ideology and are disheartened in how that ideology has failed to work itself out in real life.

In any case, I have heard and read enough since the last post (largely in Christian media) to lead me to believe that we are not dealing with the "Lukewarm Church". At least not yet.

Please  bear with me in the weeks and months ahead. We have entered that busy time of year where it is harder for me to post regularly. I hope to take a little more time off (due to Doctor appointments) this year and perhaps will be able to squeeze in a couple extra posts in the process.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Thanks for sharing this moment with me today.