Who should we listen to?

"All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." -- Colossians 1

It saddens me that we live in such a pragmatic age. An age of "if it works, it must be good." If it is producing numbers, get on board.

Recent studies have come out that American churches are in decline, that less and less people are identifying themselves as "Christians", and certainly in our own Zion, the Southern Baptist Convention, baptisms are declining. This is concerning.

What do we do?

There are heads meeting all the time trying to figure out the next step to take. Conferences announced everyday to stop the bleeding and bolster up sagging budgets.

Should we look to the world? Hey Jim Collins, how can we be great?
Should we look to what seems to be bringing in the numbers? Hey Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, what now?

Perhaps someone should call us to prayer? Dear Lord Jesus, what would You have us do?
Perhaps we should get back to God's Word? Isn't that our authority?

Perhaps we need a revival of holiness amongst God's people (beginning in the pulpit), a revival of God-centeredness? A crying out to God for His direction, and bringing our lives and churches under His Lordship.

Perhaps we don't need to go to Seattle, Atlanta, Austin, or California. Maybe we should go to our closets and get alone and serious with Him who has preeminence.