The Disappearing Church

If your church disappeared tomorrow, would anybody in your community know or even care?

Christmas (outside of an occasional wedding or funeral) is one of two times of the year that some people will actually visit a local church, including yours. They come, perhaps, out of old traditions, maybe an invitation, or even guilt. However, Christmas, like Easter, will come and go, and they will be gone too.

The reality is we live in a different world than we did a generation ago. The societal norm of families going to church on a Sunday has been replaced for many by Sporting events, DIY home projects, and shopping.

As a result, between 6,000 and 10,000 churches in the U.S. are dying each year. That means around 100-200 churches will CLOSE by the end of next week. Sadly, Church Leaders and congregations find it easy to blame the secular culture, national politics, and the media for this erosion, but frankly, I don't buy it. If only outside forces (and the modern culture) were the actual reasons behind declining and non-influential churches, we would likely have no churches left today.

A quick study of church history proves that the greatest periods of church growth, particularly in the first century, took place in adversarial cultures that despised the faith. People literally had to put their life on the line for their faith. That is not the case in the United States today. We are (still) free to worship, and we are free to stay home, go to Wal-Mart, go to the movies, or play golf.

One of the responses to this decline has been to establish churches with a more contemporary flavor. These churches, with their casual attitude, praise band and powerful multimedia do grow. However, they tend to grow by moving people laterally from other churches, not from the abundant demographic of the "un-churched" among us. Instead, it becomes a church model that tends to become somewhat celebrity centered and (most dangerously) more individually self-centered. If people aren't made to "feel good" about themselves or are not entertained, they too either change to a different church or simply drop out. Commitment is fleeting.

This may come as a surprise to some, but many of these "new" churches are actually mission starts of long-established but declining denominations. They just never mention the denomination's name. In one case, the South Baptist, each week they establish new churches, but their overall membership continues to drop. In the last few years, by about 10%.

While we try to blame the world around us, the truth is we are not hindered by external forces; we are hindered by our own lack of commitment, selflessness, and urgency. The things of God have become secondary. For some those that remain, they enter into a "survival mode" existence. Every year the cost of the facility drains the declining congregation's ability to keep pace. This "inward" focus destroys their outreach efforts, assuming they ever had one. They show up every Sunday wondering where everybody went (they got old, moved or died), but they keep doing the same things over and over again, and like the old saying about insanity, expecting different results.

Over the next several weeks I will be sharing some thoughts about being the church, and what it really takes to make a difference. Even in this day and age, there are a number of churches that are succeeding. Stay tuned....

+Robert (Bob) Biermann Show Host and

Presiding Bishop, Province of the Holy Spirit-Anglican Rite

ARE YOU STILL HERE???

Will/did the world end on September 23, 2017? That’s the question many are or were asking in recent weeks.  Since the full Solar Eclipse came across the United States on August 21st there has been a sudden surge of online videos and commentaries saying that September 23^rd was the day. Perhaps you have read some.

In a nutshell, there are those that claim there were will be a sign in the heavens, an alignment of the stars and planets supposedly seen only once in 7000 years, that will occur on that date.  A little research proves that claim is not true at all, and this supposed “Revelation 23 Sign” has happened many times before.  This sounds more like Astrology than discerning God’s Word. Astrology is defined as the study of the heavens (sun, moon, planets, etc.) and their motions under the assumption that they influence events and human activities on earth. Unlike astronomy, which is the scientific study of the universe, astrology is based on a person's interpretation and the meaning they read into what they observe.

The idea that heavenly bodies control our destiny, rather than the Creator of all things, is an ancient delusion.

I have seen many of these online videos from these “prophetic preachers” in recent weeks, and their far fetch claims.  First, let me be clear, Jesus is coming again, on that there is NO doubt. But will he come when some preacher/teacher predicts? Most likely not.

In my years of life, I have seen many end times predictions come and go. What is sad is that many that make these missed predictions keep coming back and making more, or making excuses, and people believe them.

I can think of one “End Time Commentator” that claims to hear from the Holy Spirit all the time. In the short time I knew him the Holy Spirit he heard kept changing his mind on a very frequent basis. Many projects his “ministry” started were never finished, poorly planned and in many cases abandoned or forgotten.  The predictions that would happen in 2015 never came to pass, as many other before that time.

Jesus tells His disciples what people should know about His second coming in Matthew 24, beginning at the 22^nd verse:   22“Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25“Behold, I have told you in advance. 26“So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28“Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

While we should learn about the importance of the End Times, we should not be obsessed.  When we are worrying about things we can’t control we cease doing the things God has called us to do.  

IT'S BEEN A WHILE......

Important updates from your show's host...

It’s been a long time since I had the time to make a “Blog” post, and that needs to change.  For the past two years or so, time has been a precious commodity.  It is so easy for us to get so caught up in our “day-to-day” activities; we fail to make time for some very important and beneficial endeavors. Writing and communications (in general) have been reduced to short Facebook™ memes and speedy texts. We live on “sound-bites,” questionably sourced material and photo shopped pictures.  Too often we YELL at each other, de-friend each other and even show a terrible lack of common sense and simple decency. As a society in the Western World we have forsaken knowledge, truth and wisdom for poorly espoused ideology.  The fastest disappearing occupation today is that of a “Statesman.”  We are easily swayed because our memories are short. Too many people simply “live in the moment,” and make zero provision for the potential consequences that truly can cause.  Simply put, our feelings have replaced our logic, and our self-centered view of the world has closed our minds.

When I started “Your Weekend Show” in March of 2015, the goal was to provide a radio program that was entertaining, substantive and useful.  Over that time the show has taken a few unexpected twists and turns, while trying to maintain being a relevant voice in a rapidly changing world. In the weeks ahead, you will begin to hear some changes in “Your Weekend Show.”  In addition, you will start seeing major changes on the Website and even the Facebook™ page. We will continue to use and expand our world outreach via Shortwave Radio, as (contrary to what some believe) it is still a very viable platform that reaches billions of people each week. In the weeks ahead, we will begin an effort to use other terrestrial radio options as well; however, we will also begin to expand our on-line presence and offerings, even including video. For this radio ministry and other projects, this should prove to be an exciting time.

As for doing a “Blog?” look for more items appearing on a regular basis.  As I said earlier, time has been a precious commodity, and my wife and I had made that a prayer priority in recent months to make the time. God has faithfully heard and answered those prayers and now has provided a way to have that much needed time. For us it will be a period of change and transition, but that is fine with us. I am also fully aware that there are many “voices” out there competing for your attention, and I will just be one of many, perhaps even just a voice “Crying in the Wilderness,” but with that said here’s what I know; these humble efforts can be blessed and multiplied beyond our imagination by our sovereign God.

For those that have listened to this program for a while, my most humble thanks to you for taking the time to listen as often as you can. If you have never taken the time to share your thoughts, now would be an excellent time.  Would you take a moment to write and share your thoughts? It would mean the world to me. You can send me a direct email to bob@yourweekendshow.com. Lastly, keep this program and the expanded ministries in your prayers. Trust me, prayer DOES make a difference, and they are needed now more than ever before.

To God alone be the Glory!

+Bob Biermann            

"The Spirit of Violence"

The other morning I woke up and thought to myself on what a different world we live in today.  For those under the age of 30, maybe many of the things occurring in our world just seem normal, as that’s all you’ve ever known. For me, at the age of 61, this world today is vastly different. Sure, back in the 1960’s there was violence and protest.  Some of the protests were over the conflict in Vietnam, and yes, there were serious injuries and even deaths. There was a period of time when there were riots based on race, particularly in a number of inner city regions that had the distinction of urban decay and increasing poverty.  The most deadly riots were in Detroit, MI (1967), Los Angeles, CA (1965), and Newark, NJ (1967).

However, as we got into the 1970’s the number of violent and angry protests began to abate. In recent years a new “spirit of violence” has descended upon our land. From School shootings to drive-by-shootings it would seem we have become a bitter and angry nation.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the tragedy in Orlando, FL were 49 people were shot dead and over 50 people seriously injured by Omar Mateen. Now, this past week (July 7, 2016) police officers were gunned down in Dallas, Texas at a “Black Lives Matter” protest. In the Texas incident the ambush started with gunshots that killed five officers and sent screaming crowds scrambling for cover. It ended when a Dallas police bomb squad robot killed a gunman after negotiations failed.

 The increasing frequency of these stories should be a concern to all of us; however, to hear the Mainstream Media’s account, you would think that all this violence is caused by uncontrolled police brutality. President John Adams once said “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”  Those that seek to polarize and divide our nation have done an outstanding job of using “facts” to make their case.  The truth is the facts they often cite can be very misleading.  There was an interesting news story in the Washington Post that contained some astonishing facts that rarely make the mainstream media narrative because these facts don’t fit the current political narrative.   Here are just a few examples from that story:

Did you know that police officers take longer before firing their weapon on a black suspect than a white suspect?  Did you know that “officers are three times less likely to shoot unarmed black suspects than unarmed white suspects”? Did you know that you’re far more likely to be shot and killed by police if you’re white than if you’re black? If you watch NBC, ABC, CBS or CNN, these facts would be foreign to you.

Despite making up just 13% of the population, black criminals carried out 38% of murders, compared to 31.1% for whites, despite the fact that there are five times more white people in the U.S. than blacks. Recent FBI crime statistics reveal blacks commit eight times more crimes against whites than vice-versa, according to . A black male is 40 times as likely to assault a white person as the reverse.

While these types of statistics contradict political correctness and certain political ideals, they are “stubborn facts,” none the less.

As of this writing there have been 566 people killed by police nationwide. Of those, 136 were black.

Now, let’s look at the killing rate for just one American city, Chicago, Ill.  To date, as of the time of this writing, the total shot & killed is 311. The total shot and wounded is 1779.  The total number of homicides by all causes is 346.  To date only 4 people have lost their lives in Chicago in police related shootings.

The real problem is not a “gun problem,” but rather a “heart problem.”  As our nation’s moral fiber has been torn asunder and our collective conscience neutralized by political correctness and mindless entertainment, these problems continue to breed unabated.  Like a cancer it invades the "body collective" and leaves destruction and death in its wake, the same type of destruction and death that is glorified by the music and movie industry.

This “spirit of violence,” which has descended upon our land, will never be solved by politicians or programs, but only by a change of heart, and that change of heart begins with bringing God back into our culture, and is complete when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. 

Orlando Shooting. Time to Pause.

I think we need to put the politics on "pause," as we sort out what took place in Orlando, FL this past Sunday. Whatever your background, this act of "hate raged" violence should be condemned for precisely what it is; premeditated murder.  In virtually every civilized culture in the world, and illuminated in the 10 commandments themselves, the act of Murder, the premeditated taking of an innocent life, is absolutely forbidden.  The poor rendering of the Hebrew verb רצח as "kill" in some English scripture misses the true understanding of the 6th commandment. This Hebrew word has a wider range of meanings, generally describing a destructive activity, including "to break, to dash to pieces" as well as "to slay, kill, murder".  This word "רצח" used in the 6th commandment is NEVER used in the context of a justified war, self protection from harm or even for dealing with what we call "capital offenses."

For several years I worked in emergency management for a law enforcement agency in South Carolina.  In that capacity I went through extensive training in understanding mass shooting and mass casualty events. Most people cannot even begin to fathom all that is taking place in the background, as the crime scene is analyzed, motives researched, and families notified.  I can only imagine the eerie scene inside of the Pulse Club in Orlando as investigators, medical examiners and other public safety personnel sort through and document the scene.   In such a tragedy as this protocol would require that the bodies remain in place during this important phase of the investigation.  If you've never experienced the "smell of death" it's impossible to describe, but trust me, it is horrific and unforgettable.  There, in a night club that hours before was alive with loud music, strobe lights and party goers has now become dead silent, with that silence only broken by the heartbreaking sound of ringing cell phones on those bodies, with calls from loved ones, family and friends hoping those individuals are okay.  Sadly, those calls will never be answered.  I can only imagine the psychological trauma many of those workers will endure, maybe even for a lifetime.   For some of those investigators, their lives might be forever changed and negatively impacted.

 Investigators at the scene of the mass shooting in Orlando

In the immediate hours after this Satanic attack, and yes it is satanic--regardless of who you perceive the victims to be, politicians and activist groups ran to the TV cameras to "cash in" on this crisis. Guests on many of the media outlets grasped at straws offering only pure (and inaccurate) speculation.   One Network had a guest claiming the perpetrator(s) had to be some type of "White Supremacist group, and/or Homophobic Trump supporter(s)."  Obviously that was not the case. Others tried to use this event to judge homosexual activity by making stupid statements like "they got what's coming to them."  I've got news for you, intoxicated homosexuals dancing at a bar in Orlando are just as much "sinners" in the eyes of an almighty God as a group of bickering and dysfunctional church people complaining about how people dress, noisy children in church, the Pastor's sermon or engaging in gossip.   

Others groups "seized the moment" by using it for a gun control platform, when the reality is this individual had high security clearances where virtually all the laws proposed by gun control advocates would not have made a difference.   I'm sure other groups will also "sleaze the moment" in the days ahead for their pet cause.

The truth is there are many dynamics and details yet to emerge.   Increasingly there is a potential link to middle east fostered terrorism, and a possible failure of government authorities to use existing laws and policies in vetting out such a potential threat.  If it is radical (which some call "pure") Islam, then we are facing the same scourge the caused the events of 9/11/2001.  Having worked for several years in Public Safety I can assure you (regardless of what some might say) that this is still a very real and present threat, far greater than most Americans will ever believe.

For now, let the investigators and public safety personnel do their beleaguered, difficult and unappreciated tasks, and sincerely pray for those workers.  If you have never been in their shoes, you cannot even begin to comprehend what they are now going though right now.  

Avoid every new whim of speculation, and wait until the families have had time to at least bury their dead, and don't be an armchair quarterback on how investigators are doing their work.  We have seen enough misinformation and politics in just the first hours to last a lifetime.  Don't believe everything you see on Facebook™ or see on the 24/7 news channels.  For now, instead of being "reactive," be "proactive" and be patient for God's wisdom in this situation.  Perhaps start with this prayer:

O GOD, merciful and compassionate, who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee, and grant us thy help in this our time of need.  For God, You are the fountain of all wisdom, who knows our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; We beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Rt. Rev. Robert S. Biermann

I almost find it hard to believe, but just over 72 years ago during the Second World War (June 6, 1944) brave allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in France.  This unprecedented military armada was the beginning of the liberation of western Europe and the defeat of Nazi Germany just under a year later.

Shortly after the invasion, President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation in prayer.  You can hear his prayer and radio address to the nation  by clicking here.

There was a time that our nation was very public in our Christian heritage.  There was a time, regardless of your political persuasion, God was highly honored in our lives, our schools, our communities and in ALL levels of Government.  How times have changed in a generation.

The 10 Commandments on the United States Supreme Court Building

I firmly believe that BOTH major political parties have mocked and/or misused God.  The Republicans have used those of faith by making promises they never intended to keep, and the Democrats (the party of FDR that openly prayed to God) has seemingly have gone out of their way to push God from the public square.  Leaders of BOTH parties have willfully violated the 8th Commandment in not telling the truth among others.

I remember during my studies for the ministry trying to fully comprehend St. Paul's letter to Timothy where he states:  "A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear."  (2nd Timothy 4:3 GOD'S WORD® Translation)

In my lifetime I have witnessed how once faithful church bodies have turned their backs on God, distorted His Word and now celebrates and enshrines that which God clearly forbids. Almost 2000 years of consistent teaching has been jettisoned for the sake of political expediency and personal indulgence.

The truth is your politics and your faith are NOT mutually exclusive.  I have been criticized for often pointing out what God's Word has to say on a particular matter, regardless of the cultural or partisan backlash.  Even those I consider friends (who claimed to be followers of Christ) will put their politics over what God's Word clearly says.  

It is amazing, when someone is confronted with what God says (to which they disagree) they become very defensive  and attempt to shut down the discussion and become CLOSED minded to God's absolute and UNCHANGING Word and Truth. They want all the benefits without the obedience.  the In the United States we have the freedom to believe or not believe. Our faith (currently) costs us nothing.  In many parts of the world that is not the case. 

While there are many things on which Christians can "agree to disagree" without betraying the absolutes of the faith, God's Word is absolutely clear on a number of social and moral issues where there is NO room for debate.  On a number of critical issues facing our nation our opinions and votes do NOT control or bind an almighty God.  

"Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked.  Whatever a man sows he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."  (Galatians 6:7-8) 

To mock God is to disrespect, dishonor, or ignore Him. It is a serious offense committed by those who have no fear of God or who deny His existence. The most easily recognized form of mockery is disrespect typified by verbal insults or other acts of disdain. It is associated with ridicule, scoffing, and defiance. Mockery is a dishonoring attitude that shows low estimation, contempt, or even open hostility.

But the most subtle mockery of God, and the most dangerous, comes from those who claim to be followers of Christ.  These are those that will behave with an outward show of spirituality or godliness without an inward engagement or change of heart. 

Charles G. Finney, a preacher in the 1800's, wrote about the effects of mocking God: "To mock God is to pretend to love and serve him when we do not; to act in a false manner, to be insincere and hypocritical in our professions, pretending to obey him, love, serve, and worship him, when we do not. . . . Mocking God grieves the Holy Spirit, and sears the conscience; and thus the bands of sin become stronger and stronger. The heart becomes gradually hardened by such a process." The bible adds that we ultimately deceive ourselves.

The truth is you can turn your back on the messenger and message. You can criticizes what I and others say from God's Word all day long, but God's Word NEVER changes.  What does Jesus Himself have to say?  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ " (Matthew 7:21-23 New King James Version)

So what will it be?  In Psalm 146: 3-5 we read: "Do not put your trust in princes, (I.E Government)  in human beings, who cannot save.  When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.  Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God."

The Cost of Being Christian

“Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God.” (Revelation 20:4)

The recent story about the brutal beheading of 21 Coptic Christians by Islamic Jihadist has shocked and saddened many. The secular mainstream media and, even the White House, have gone out of their way to minimize the “Christian connection” to the victims of this satanic savagery. These 21 Christians from Egypt are not merely victims of “random violence,” they are true martyrs of the Christian Faith!

When these Muslim terrorists (from ISIS) released a video of their mass execution of these Christians, Egypt responded with jet fighters carrying bombs, the pope condemned the destruction of life and President Obama went golfing. In the White House official statement about the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians the White House referred to the victims as “Egyptian Citizens” rather than Christians, implying there was no religious motivation for the attack. So who are these “Coptic Christians?”

The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark (one of Jesus Disciples) who brought Christianity to Egypt, a dozen of years after the Lord's ascension. He was one of the four evangelists and the one who wrote the oldest canonical gospel. Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Saint Mark's arrival in Alexandria as is clear from New Testament writings. This church has had an unbroken line going all the way back to the Apostles in the first century.

The contributions of the Coptic Church to Christendom are many. From the beginning, it played a central role in Christian theology---and especially to protect it from a number of early heresies that began to make their way into the church. If you attend a church that recognizes (or uses) the Nicene Creed, it was written by a leader of the Coptic Church.

These 21 individuals were executed for one reason, and one reason only….their Christian faith.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.