393. The Decline of Churches in Korea - Pastor Chai
This is a blog post quoted from Pastor Chai’s Facebook.
Korean churches are rapidly declining. There's a widespread fear that they might end up like European churches: empty buildings with no congregants.
Many people are analyzing this dire situation and trying to find the cause of the decline. However, the reason may be surprisingly simple.
Christians have become affluent.
When the gospel reaches impoverished areas, people accept it because they're spiritually hungry. But the gospel often brings material blessings. As people become financially secure and their physical needs are easily met, their spiritual hunger diminishes. Their once fervent faith becomes a mere formality. Consequently, their children may find their parents' church life unappealing, leading them to leave the church.
If the primary reason for the church's decline is the loss of spiritual hunger, the solution may be simple: fill the church with people who are hungry.
There are many people around us who have a hunger for God, even if they may not realize it themselves yet: the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned (Matthew 25). They are those who are oppressed, starving, and without home or family (Isaiah 58). We need to seek these people, invite them to churches, and serve them to help them encounter Jesus.
Many house churches are experiencing growth, and attracting young people. The primary reason is that, unlike many traditional churches that are more interested in those who can fit in comfortably, they seek those who are spiritually, emotionally, and financially hungry. They serve these people and help them meet Jesus.
Today's churches are primarily composed of affluent people who are quite self-sufficient. The pastor's sermons and church programs are also tailored to their needs. Trying to revive a church with these people would be like trying to crack a nut with an egg.
God's agape love flows downward, like water does in nature. God's concern and love naturally gravitate towards the low places where the poor, the weak, and the suffering are. When we serve these people and introduce Jesus to them, God will be pleased and revive our churches.
