May 26th, 2026
by Jonathan Richerson
by Jonathan Richerson
There are a couple articles that I have to point you to today. With what appears to be a rise in “spiritualism” and spiritual interest in our nation, I don’t want us to miss the opportunity to interact with those that are finding a new interest in Religion. At the same time, I want us to be cautious and approach these people with truth.
Pastor Dan Delzell points our attention to eternal assurance and the battle for our soul. His article, Apostle Peter vs. modern Catholicism: Whose view on assurance is right? Takes a look at the growing trends of attendance and interest in Catholicism in the larger cities (christianpost.com). Can we depend on the teaching and traditions of Catholicism or what the Bible has to tell us about salvation, election and Eternity? In the end Pastor Delzell shows that even with the surge of attendance and interests, Peter would not be a modern day theological Catholic.
In his article, Dr. Robin Schumacher Why being spiritual but not religious eventually face plants (christianpost.com), points to the same phenomenon hip trend of packed Masses and crowded pews (wsj.com) as being culturally cool, but not spiritual sustainable. He describes the product of this movement this way, “The result has been a faith that is deeply personal, but superficial; a spirituality that seems empowering, but doesn’t transform; a search that is always moving, but never resolving.” His observation helps many of us as pastors articulate what we are experiencing in our local pews. It is hard to plan events, sermon series, resources and needs because the attendance is constantly fluctuating. Congregants talk a big game spiritually. They say they want more; they want to dive deep into Scripture, but when the ministry team is ready to deliver, we preach and proclaim to empty seats. Delzell and Schumacher’s articles help us to identify a possible reason that is as old as the Scriptures, we are possibly in an emotional revival and not an actual Spirit lead revival.
The words of Isaiah draw a perfect mental picture of what I see so many young people falling into today. Isaiah relates the culture to how someone might use a block of wood: “Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.” They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend. No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!” And what’s the result? “A deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself” Isaiah 44:15-20.
It is a sad mental image of what we are seeing in the modern Church, however, there is hope to be found! There are those who are seriously seeking the Lord! The challenge becomes, what will they find when WE encounter them? We must be ready to present the God of the Bible, in season and out of season. For those that He brings us, they will return. Those that seek to find their own way will not be satisfied until they surrender to the Lord. We must be ready to receive them when the Lord directs their hearts to our congregations.
Don’t lose heart or the excitement that God put with in you! Find ways to serve in your church and to make sure your ministries are ready when these people come knocking. Let us make sure we are ready to open the door and introduce them to the Lord of Salvation, and not just what is popular at the moment!
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
Pastor Dan Delzell points our attention to eternal assurance and the battle for our soul. His article, Apostle Peter vs. modern Catholicism: Whose view on assurance is right? Takes a look at the growing trends of attendance and interest in Catholicism in the larger cities (christianpost.com). Can we depend on the teaching and traditions of Catholicism or what the Bible has to tell us about salvation, election and Eternity? In the end Pastor Delzell shows that even with the surge of attendance and interests, Peter would not be a modern day theological Catholic.
In his article, Dr. Robin Schumacher Why being spiritual but not religious eventually face plants (christianpost.com), points to the same phenomenon hip trend of packed Masses and crowded pews (wsj.com) as being culturally cool, but not spiritual sustainable. He describes the product of this movement this way, “The result has been a faith that is deeply personal, but superficial; a spirituality that seems empowering, but doesn’t transform; a search that is always moving, but never resolving.” His observation helps many of us as pastors articulate what we are experiencing in our local pews. It is hard to plan events, sermon series, resources and needs because the attendance is constantly fluctuating. Congregants talk a big game spiritually. They say they want more; they want to dive deep into Scripture, but when the ministry team is ready to deliver, we preach and proclaim to empty seats. Delzell and Schumacher’s articles help us to identify a possible reason that is as old as the Scriptures, we are possibly in an emotional revival and not an actual Spirit lead revival.
The words of Isaiah draw a perfect mental picture of what I see so many young people falling into today. Isaiah relates the culture to how someone might use a block of wood: “Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.” They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend. No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!” And what’s the result? “A deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself” Isaiah 44:15-20.
It is a sad mental image of what we are seeing in the modern Church, however, there is hope to be found! There are those who are seriously seeking the Lord! The challenge becomes, what will they find when WE encounter them? We must be ready to present the God of the Bible, in season and out of season. For those that He brings us, they will return. Those that seek to find their own way will not be satisfied until they surrender to the Lord. We must be ready to receive them when the Lord directs their hearts to our congregations.
Don’t lose heart or the excitement that God put with in you! Find ways to serve in your church and to make sure your ministries are ready when these people come knocking. Let us make sure we are ready to open the door and introduce them to the Lord of Salvation, and not just what is popular at the moment!
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
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