A few years ago a group of people from our church went to a special showing of When God Left the Building. As I recall there was a time of Q&A after the showing as well.

SYNOPSIS

While more than 4,000 churches close every year, others are finding reasons for great hope and a bright future. Why?

Director Thom Schultz set out on a journey to uncover why churches—once the heart and soul of their communities—are now shrinking in both size and influence. What he discovered gives you unprecedented insight and serves as a powerful wake-up call.

You’ll go behind the curtain at a congregation that’s seen attendance plunge from 900 to 40. Witness innovative new forms of church that are thriving, from a pub outreach in Pennsylvania to a Texas ministry that gathers in 300 neighborhoods every week.

Experience hope as you get a refreshing glimpse into the future of faith.

MY THOUGHTS

Seven years later I still think about the issues that were brought forth in the film because as I see it, not much has improved in the American Church since the moive was released.

Sure there are some churches that are thriving and ministries that continue to grow. Unfortunately, churches are still closing at an alarming rate. And with COVID-19 restrictions many people haven’t attended church in person for nearly two years.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a place for online Bible study, streaming church services & YouTube videos. But none of these should be a permanent substitute for the gathering together of God’s people in a local church. We were created to do life in community with other believers. One only has to read Acts 2 to be reminded how the early Christians chose to live.

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “ Brothers, what are we to do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all the believers were together and had all things in common;and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:37-47 NASB

Furthermore, “Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near”. – Hebrews 10:23-25 NASB

As we close out 2021 I ask each of you to pray for revival in the American Church so that God is invited back into our churches, schools, workplaces and homes at a supernatural rate.

If you want to bring When God Left the Building to your church, CLICK HERE for purchase/rental information.