Help Wanted

“When the church has been thoroughly distinct from the world, she has always prospered. During
the first three centuries the world hated the church. The prison, the stake, the wheels of the wild
horse, these were thought too good for the followers of Christ. When a man became a Christian,
he gave up father and mother, house and lands, nay, his own life also... but then was the age of
heroes, that was the time of giants. Never did the church so much prosper and so truly thrive as
when she was baptized in blood. The ship of the church never sails so gloriously along as when the
bloody spray of her martyrs falls upon her deck. We must suffer, and we must die, if we are ever
to conquer the world for Christ.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Can you imagine a “Help Wanted” ad that sounded like this…?

Help Wanted: person (no age restrictions or educational requirements) with a thick skin and a strong work ethic who is willing to live hand-to-mouth with no guaranteed earthly wages, pension, or medical benefits provided. No housing allowance or mileage reimbursement offered. May be required to leave family and hometown for parts unknown for years at a time, perhaps never to return. Sure to be mocked, scorned, and persecuted. May be killed for doing a good job. Apply by trusting Jesus as your Savior and committing your life to Him.

And yet, that is exactly what the Christian life may involve – and the sacrifices it may require – especially for people called to be missionaries in a foreign country. No wonder more than 50% of all missionaries left the field over the past 10 years… with not enough Christians willing to replace them.

Meanwhile, churches where prosperity-preaching-pastors are offering a carefree life to new believers are bulging at the seams. What a sad state of affairs!

As Charles Spurgeon so eloquently (and bluntly) declared in today’s quote, when the Church takes a strong stand for Jesus – and against the world – two things are almost guaranteed to happen. Christians will be hated… and the Church will grow.

“For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President