A friend of mine called me the other day. After talking about the church where he works as a preacher and some events going on in his life, I could tell there was a definite note of discouragement. Toward the end, as I listened, he expressed a desire to quit preaching and do something else.

There are a growing number of preachers that are leaving the pulpit and seeking and finding work in the secular world. It is not because they have stopped loving the Lord or His church. It is not because they have stopped believing in the power of the cross or in the power of the Word of God. Some estimates say that as many as six hundred preachers leave the pulpit every year in the church, either by death, disability or because they are burned out.

I am not sure that this is a problem relevant only to our day. In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul said that Demas had forsaken him, having loved this present world. I am NOT saying that this is true with all of the preachers that quit yearly, but it may be that some quit for that reason. What are some other possible reasons?

1). It is getting harder in this country to teach and preach the gospel. It is not because of persecution; it is because of apathy and indifference. The message is getting out via TV, radio and the print media, but being ignored. Satan is using culture to fight an insidious battle for the hearts and minds of Americans daily, and for all purposes, he is winning. We want convenience, we want comfort, we dont want to think and we certainly dont want to sacrifice.

2). The culture is invading the church. Rather than being different from the world, the church has absorbed the culture. Television has affected peoples thinking to the point that we want 30 minute (at the most) sound bites. We want to be entertained, and when the preacher does not do that, we want the elders to find someone who will. We complain about everything that does not lend itself to our comfort. We whine when our feelings get hurt, and if we get hurt enough, we leave. We have lost commitment, dedication, sacrifice and service, and we dont want anyone to tell us that we have lost these things or make us feel guilty because we have. Whereas a few decades ago members of the church were committed to truth, to loving one another, to bearing slights and discouragementsnow we just quit.

3). The church has lost its steadfastness. In Acts 2:4147 one of the characteristics is that the early church was steadfast in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and in prayers. The word translated steadfast come from a Greek word which means to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor) Some have become fickle in their commitments, their concern and their compassion and are ready to quit at the drop of a hat. And, unfortunately, we spend a lot of resources catering to those who threaten to leave or who actually leave.

I love the church with all of my heart, and I am dedicated to helping it become what God desires it be. Bear with me as we honestly examine these things and look at ourselvesand dont get mad lets see what we can do to be what God wants us to be!