Perplexing Mysteries That Plague the Church

By Gerald Cowan

 1  The mystery of the empty pew. Why are members absent? It would seem that for some the freedom to worship can be interpreted as  freedom from worship – at least freedom from the assemblies for worship (Heb. 10:25).
 2.  The mystery of the disappearing church member. Some drop out and no one knows why.  They may fall back in love with the world (2 Tim. 4:10). Since they cannot serve God and mammon, they give up God (Mt. 6:24).
 3.  The mystery of the unaccompanied child. They are dropped off by parents who never attend any church services or activities. They are sent off alone or in the care of neighbors. This condition seems to apply to others besides children too. The wife, and sometimes the husband, comes without the mate. Parents sometimes come without their children – it is a mystery to the parents that the children do not want to attend and actually refuse to attend with them. Does Proverbs 22:6 apply?
 4.  The mystery of the indisposition of one that renders a whole group incapable.  One person is sick, so all members of the family stay at home.
 5.  The mystery of the closed Bible. In the homes the Bible is a seldom opened dust catcher. Even in the church’s assemblies the Bible is opened only by the preacher or teacher. Can one be an approved student of scripture without studying the scripture (2 Tim. 2:15)?
 6.  The mystery of buried talents. Most members enjoy seeing work done, but too many neglect their own opportunities and abilities (Mt. 25:14-30).
 7.  The mystery of uncommitted money. Conversion seems to miss the pocketbook and checkbook in some cases (2 Cor. 9:7).
 8.  The mystery of the misused day.  The Lord’s day is used for everything except worship and service to the Lord.
 9.  The mystery of worried and fearful saints. With a concerned and loving Savior to defend and preserve us, what do we really have to fear?

- Gerald Cowan, a longtime preacher and missionary, is retired from full-time pulpit preaching. Gerald publishes an e-mail newsletter entitled GERALD COWAN’S PERSONAL PERIODICAL WRITINGS. He is available for Gospel Meetings and he may be contacted at Geraldcowan1931@aol.com