Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1 NIV)
Last weekend our local church celebrated a milestone anniversary: 40 years of ministry. This body of Christ that was planted in the fall of 1984 has since weathered forty years of ups, downs, growth, and challenges. But this weekend in 2024 we gathered together to celebrate God’s faithfulness, and the faithfulness of this group of God’s people.
If the average lifespan of a healthy church is about 40 years, why do some churches grow for a while and then die off? Conversely, what makes a church survive to celebrate decades of ministry? In a word, I think it comes down to consistency. Consistent people who are “pillars” of the church, serving day in and day out, from season to season, until years become years. Consistent focus on the message of the Gospel, and not allowing it to be watered down, twisted, or otherwise “adapted for a new generation.” Consistent teaching of the Word. Consistent prayer. Consistent worship. Consistent forgiveness. Consistent growth and adaptation to new ideas God gives us. Consistent leadership. Consistent belief that We Don’t Quit.
Yet, the most important ingredient in longevity in a church or ministry or marriage, and, often, in a business, a friendship, or other relationship, is the most obvious: God is there. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are not only present, but honored by the people. Their consistent guidance and provision help the people to thrive. In return, the people have consistently chosen to listen, to pray, to worship, and to respond to God. The Apostle Paul reminds us that a healthy church will not “quench” the Spirit. A consistent focus on God and allowing God to be the Lord of the Church will help to ensure that this house that God builds lasts for generations.
Praise be to God!
Lord of the Church,
Thank you for opportunities to celebrate your goodness and faithfulness in the lives of your people. Thank you for local bodies of Christ that have been meeting, worshipping, and serving their communities with the Love and Grace of Jesus. Thank you for the houses of prayer you have built that last for generations as their people do not quench your Spirit. Thank you for all the consistencies that help your local bodies to thrive. Today we pray that you will continue to draw all people to you, through your Word, your worship, prayer, service, and the wooing of the Holy Spirit. Give them solid, consistent, Word-and-Spirit led leadership so that they lead a church that honors you. Establish, strengthen, and encourage the souls of your children to stand firm in their faith. Help them to seek always that which is good for each other and for the larger communities around them. Build your Church and protect her from the attacks of the enemy of our souls, we pray in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22 AMPC)
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy orprophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it]. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 AMP)
And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all people to Myself [Gentiles, as well as Jews].” (John 12:32 AMP)