Watch The Pulpit Not Politicians

At a Bible conference some time ago, during a Q&A panel, HeartCry Missionary Society founder Paul Washer answered the question, "What is the greatest threat to the church in our generation?" Without hesitation, Washer responded, "It's pastors." I sincerely agree with Washer. Join me, then, in asking the same question within our New Zealand context.

What would your answer be? You might quickly draft a response focusing on the trajectory of our cultural and political landscape. Then, you may well narrow your answer to contentious discussions such as hate speech and conversion therapy law proposals. I can hardly blame you, for it seems that our government, consciously or unconsciously, is intent on indirectly slowly outlawing Christianity. Those with a basic working knowledge of the twentieth century ought to feel somewhat queasy about the state taking such liberties to intrude upon the personal rights of its citizens. As Watchmen Nee said, "Wherever in the world a nation's government is left to itself, it follows a natural course which is further and further away from God." You see, a godless government ought to be expected as a natural consequence of fallen human nature, not an exception. The public arena opposed Christ when they crucified Him; we should expect no different.

And so, to the Christian, I suggest the following. God cares far more about what is proclaimed from church pulpits than the Beehive in Wellington. I am not saying the believer does not have the liberty to be politically active as salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16). Nor do I deny that theology and secular society interact closely in times such as these. But understand that God's purposes in the gospel of Jesus Christ are in no way hindered by a government of any kind, for "He who sits in the heavens laughs" (Psalm 2:4). Suppose the political agenda of Western democracies does lead to an all-out attack on the Christian faith. Regardless, the church will thrive under such circumstances. Christ will advance His church with or without a healthy liberal democracy, so you need not worry. The Roman Emperor Nero used Christians as human torches in his gardens. Yet, by such actions, he could only fan the flame of the gospel, and redemptive history continues until Christ's return. "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

It follows, then, that if no form of political activity can inhibit the plans of God, are we honouring Christ with such political angst, I see? For, you see, our greater concern than politicians is preachers and pulpits. This is where the pastors come in: those men called to shepherd the flock under Christ's headship. The principal duty of the shepherd is to provide spiritual nourishment from scripture to the church. Thus, the pulpit ministry is front and centre. Remain zealous for the pulpit, believer. Have high expectations of your preachers, for those matters, not politics, are of eternal weight. For the scriptures concern the well-being of the soul! Might you expect of your pulpits that sin be called sin, hell remain hot, and Christ be the only saviour given among men? Make sacred your house of worship, the place whereby God makes Himself known to His people. The world needs such pulpits and preachers, for it is through the communicated Word of God that His purposes of salvation by grace through faith are achieved: "So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17).

So what is the greatest threat to the New Zealand church today? It is pulpits void of Christ, not the politicians.