The Local Church – How I See It (2026)

Right from the start, please let me explain that I’m endeavouring to be balanced, whilst it may seem a bit negative at first I want to suggest real, obtainable and most importantly Scriptural solutions to what I see is a current problem.

So, let’s go right at it! I honestly feel that many churches are too big, and people are seen as users, churches seek to be user friendly, entertaining, with well-polished and rehearsed services. I honestly feel we can be compared to the Laodicean church in the book of Revelation: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

For the vast majority of the congregations, it’s just a matter of turning up, sitting down and standing up where appropriate, there is no demand or expectation that they might be called upon to take an active part. Indeed, most people can predict exactly what will happen and when. Sadly, I also see a massive decline in people taking bibles as well. Yes, I do know that we live in the age of the smart phone and bible app. But I challenge you, next time when there is a bible reading or the preacher refers to the bible, see how many people are reaching for and looking at their phones (and even then maybe it could be through an addiction to social media and not a hunger for God’s Word!)

I’m going to show you my cards and level with you. I was saved in a charismatic Baptist church but have spent most of my years in Pentecostal churches but have also had brief periods in more traditional churches. I have noticed a massive decline in the operation of spiritual gifts within churches. I used to attend a very small Assemblies of God church in a small village but nearly every week there would be a word of prophecy; people would pray out loud, burst into song and the rest of the church would enthusiastically join in.

So, here’s the way I see it. Christ is the head of the church, which is His body here on earth (many verses but check out Ephesians 5:23 for one).

We, the church are “a body”. Now, the bible is so clear on this. Just like our bodies have different parts with different functions, so it is with the body of Christ. (See Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31) I’m probably stating the obvious, but doesn’t each part of our bodies have a vital part to play in how well we function? Now as I write I immediately think that some smart Alec will say, “Well, how about the appendix then?” So, my illustration isn’t perfect but you know what I mean, I hope?

Therefore, if as I say at the beginning that people just seem to be consumers in church, then how are a) they going to find out what part of the body they are? And b) how are they going to practice and become proficient?

Ephesians 4:11-16 clearly shows us how God has appointed certain leaders to equip the body of Christ for service but also to bring us to complete unity in faith and to become mature and to grow and be built up and we the church will not be like waves being tossed back and forth and falling foul to deceit and false teaching.

Whilst we are looking at Ephesians, read onto Ephesians 5:19 where we are encouraged to speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love to burst into song during my (not so quiet) quiet time or in the shower, but what better place to do this than at church!

1 Corinthians 14:26 says this: “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” When was the last time you witnessed this or indeed were an instrument of this?

While I still think about this, I mentioned about polished and well-rehearsed “worship” at church. The most anointed and special times of praise and worship that I can remember were oh, so simple and didn’t need a huge budget. I remember well, one anointed man who led us in worship at a small Pentecostal church in Leith, Scotland. He just had a guitar and would regularly improvise and move with the Spirit’s flow. Then again, when I worked at Teen Challenge, we had a guy who regularly came to minister to the lads, with just a guitar (and a pretty decent voice!). Now, this dates me a bit, but it was in the days of acetates and the poor guy in charge had to be so quick as again, nothing seemed pre-planned and when he felt led he would just start a song that “came to him”. Just in case you think I’m biased at all towards guitars, there was another guy at an Elim church in Fraserburgh who led on a keyboard. It was tremendous, people burst int prayer in between songs or prophesied and spoke in tongues, others would rush out to the front where there was more room and prostrate themselves in awe and reverence towards the Lord.

The other thing that I think that is wrong about many current set ups is that everything is arranged to focus upon the worship team, many of whom are very pretty ladies or to be fair, handsome men, and let’s be honest, many people could easily get carnally minded and distracted.

One thing, whilst I remember and I do think that more traditional churches do this so much better is that there should be times of prayer, especially for leaders and our nation as we told to do in 1 Timothy 2:2

So, to sum up, I think churches should be much smaller and more focussed on people getting actually involved and “leaders” should spend more time in ensuring services are orderly (not chaotic) and free from error than spending so much time in working out predictable agendas.

Another reason why I think churches would be better off being smaller is from the example from two countries that are currently, purporting, to have the fastest growing churches in the world and these are Iran and Afghanistan.

Now, I am going say something now that is a bit of a hot and current topic and I stuck my neck out on this and I have to say experienced a bit of backlash at a place where I least expected it.

I honestly and wholeheartedly believe that unless two things happen and pretty soon this is going to happen. First the two things; we need a national revival and secondly we need a radical change to the immigration policy in the UK, particularly concerning illegal immigrants. Otherwise, probably not in my life time as I’m getting on now, but maybe in less than half a century, the United Kingdom will become an Islamic State. Now before you scoff and say that’s ridiculous. Look at history. Look what happened to Iran itself. It wasn’t that long ago (prior to 1979) that this was a thriving and prosperous nation and then the Islamists got in with the help at first of the communists. We don’t have communists having much influence here but we do have a Labour party who are clearly siding with Muslim leaders and influencers. Look at how many Mayors in key cities are Muslims. Look, it’s on the cards unless something changes and quickly.

Okay, so what has this got to do with the church my friend? I hear you say. Well, it’s twofold. Firstly if we change the way we “do church” it might facilitate a revived body of Christ more and secondly, if what I predict comes about, we will be prepared and thrive as is the case currently with church in Iran, despite persecution.

One final thought. Look what happened when Covid hit? People left church in the droves and didn’t return. Those that remained faithful, were led to those many online services and the now infamous Zoom meetings. But for the vast majority, they weren’t prepared for what happened; they were mere consumers and just I supposed moved onto things like watching sports on Sunday’s or whatever.

Well,  hope this has made some sort of sense and at least I have shared my heart and what I truly believe is what we need to do and is certainly what I’m aiming and praying for. How about you, what do you think or hear the Spirit of the Lord saying to you?