13/02/2026
*CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH*
TEXT: *1TIMOTHY 3:15*
*But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God,which is the church of the living God,the pillar and ground of truth.*
The church in the 21st century is saddled with various challenges and as custodians of this holy responsibility we must rise up to this challenges.
*1.Biblical Illiteracy:* Many Christians lack the knowledge of Scriptures,making them vulnerable to false teachings.What has happened to our Bible study classes today? where is the hunger Christians use to have for discipleship?I miss those moments where going to church was like going to school.You had to be properly schooled and discipled to be a true follower of Jesus.Today our hunger for the word of God has disappeared.
*2Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 2:1*
*2.Moral Relativism* societal decay is what we see today. The church is gradually becoming worldly and the world is becoming churchy.We now sing and dance like the world.Sometimes sing their songs in the church.We water down sin as we shift away from moral absolutes that challenge biblical stance on righteousness and godly living.To many today in the church, Holiness is a myth.
*Isaiah 5:20*
*3. *Distrust of Authority*
Younger generations struggle now to submit to authority, Wife's no longer submit, calling it old fashioned.Fathers are no longer good examples for children to emulate.We no longer live what we preach.Hypocricy has enveloped the ecclessia.
*Ephesians 5:1,21-26.*
*Ephesians 6:1-4*
*4.Racial Reconciliation*
Today we have,the white church, black church,Hausa church,Tiv church, Calabar church,Yoruba church, South African Church etc.The church must address racial wounds and lead in justice, healing and reconciliation.We are one in talk but divided in acts.We criticize others as though the body of Christ is divided.We no longer prioritize love, compassion and respect for all,as Jesus taught us.
*Mark 12:31*
*Psalm 133:1-2*
*5.Titles without mantles*
We have permitted pride,thrown away integrity and seek to get validation by more and more titles that we don't even qualify for.The 21st century church now buys titles,we consecrate thieves as Bishops and ordain those we can benefit from as pastors and church leaders.We values money more than true worship.We no longer invest in spiritual growth but in who can offer what to us.Today the church runs after *FAME AND NAME* We run after *GLORY AND GOLD* and forget the weightier matters in Christ Jesus.
*Matthew 23:23*
*6.Watered down Prayer 🙏*
We no longer give priority to prayer, Today we can open prayer for 5 minutes and dance,eat and celebrate 🥳 for one hour.We call it saving time.We must go back to the place of prayer and carry the burden of the early church.The church was born out of prayer in the upper room and can only keep winning as we continue in prayers.A praying church is a winning church.If we must continue to experience the power as in the days of old,then we must wake up to prayer like the early church did.
*Phillipians 4:6-7*
*Acts 2:1-2*
*7.We are gradually accepting aborminable Practices like the LGBT (gay community )*
We celebrate people with vile affections in our churches today.We ordain Gay Apostles,we advocate gay marriage,we even pamper their excesses.What a generation we live in today.?
*Romans 1:26-27*
*8.Little or no emphasis on the teachings and preparation for the Rapture and second coming of Christ*
Are we still preparing the saints for the 2nd coming of our king?Have we forgotten that we are pilgrims in this world.Everything here will pass away someday.We are living in borrowed time. *Jesus is not only coming back,but coming back soon.*
The church should go back to the cross and esponge falsehood and unbelieving believers.
We must therefore arise to this occasion, because the times that we live in are dangerous and deceptive hence we must take decisive steps to become all that God's wants his church to be.
*1 Thessalonians 4:14-18*
*9.Social media Attacks*
Why are pastors attacking pastors in social media today.Why do we Wash our dirty linen in public? If we have doctrinal differences, should that lead to a public attack in the name of defending the truth.? The church is the only organization that continues to kill it's wounded soldiers.We are not perfect until we see him(Jesus) face to face.Carnality is ravaging the 21st century church.We must understand that we need each other and no one has it all.We must accept and respect each others ministry, whether we believe in it totally or not.Paul said,"as long as Christ is preached.".
*1 Corinthians 3:4-6*
*Romans 10:12*
*10.Immaturity of leadership*
We can't drive a vision with children as our leaders.Church leadership in the 21st century is corrupted with immaturity causing lack of wisdom and Membership sectarianism.We no longer train to make discipline rather we hand over to incompetence and place sentiments over divine wisdom and maturity.Immaturity governs the church today,trying to overshadow those who truly love God and want to do the right thing.
*Ecclesiastes 10:16*
*11.Diabolic ministers*
We dwell in an age where men call themselves to ministry rather than wait on the calling and timing of God. *How can you preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with the power of Satan?*
Men are desperate today for power,not compassion for souls anymore. *Men are desperate for money and so rituals and religion are increasing rather than relationship with the most high God.*
*Numbers 16:26*
Nevertheless, friends today we must move from worldliness to focus.Our strength lies in our unity and understanding that each ministry is uniquely different.Celebrate our strength and pray 🙏 for each other's weaknesses.This way we can rise up to this present challenge. *We must go back to the old path(Jeremiah 6:16) of prayer, love,soul winning,humility,Bible study and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.It shall be well with the 21st century church.*
This are the last of the last days, and the church of Jesus Christ must wake up to this challenges.This is the church that will usher in the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
