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3 Reasons Why There Is A Church On Every Corner

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If you have ever taken a road trip in the United States then you may have noticed a large number of churches! This holds true whether you are going for a sleepy Sunday drive in rural America or within the confines of the city limits of ‘Small Town USA.’ The unusual number of churches would lead some to ask the question, “Why is there a church on every corner?”

There are several reasons for this but for the sake of time I will discuss what I believe are 3 significant reasons.

Church On Every Corner Reason #1

Many churches in America are old. Really old. Well, old relevant to the age of this country. Many of them also have a range from 50-150 congregants on average each week for a Sunday morning service.

In general, they are small.

Don’t get me wrong I am quite aware of the numerous ‘mega churches’ that litter many of the larger populated cities and communities. I will deal with those more directly in reason #3.

Given the fact of the age of many of these churches, most congregants are unaware of how their particular local church came to be.

Chances are that they were birthed out of a fight within the Christian congregation of another establishment. Christian fighting? How is that you ask?

The fact of the matter is that many churches have been ‘started’ as a result of a church split. This is the “I’ll take my ball and go home mentality.”

That’s right, if you are a believer in America, chances are that your local church was not likely started in a true Biblical fashion.

Churches Split Over Really Dumb Things

When Christians get upset with one another they just leave and search for another house of worship. 100 years ago many of those leaving would essentially ‘start’ their own ministry. There could have been an argument regarding the pastor, appropriate use of tithe funds, missions giving, and dare I say what color the new carpet should be in the sanctuary. 

Red versus Brown can have deep implications. 

Sister Rose may also have neglected to pray for Sister Harriet’s nephews best friends sister who was having an ingrown toenail removed. Even though it was an honest mistake. Honestly!

Others have been known to leave because they weren’t allowed to start an Iguana ministry. Whatever that is! But they are certain the Lord had told them to share the gospel through reptilian relationships. 

Church splits are not only a prominent issue of the past but are also significant events in the present. And since history repeats itself, I am certain that congregational splits will continue to be a separating problem in the future. 

These splits also can occur over the current pastor leading the congregation in a different direction. He (or she) may have received a new ‘revelation’ from the Lord. And they believe they are no longer to view marriage as something instituted by God between a woman and a man only. This gathers some followers but others not so much.

That’s just one example but it has happened. That will split a congregation faster than a new church building can be erected.

Regardless of the reason for church splits, most issues are not resolved in a true Biblical fashion. If they were then there would be no reason to ‘start’ a new ministry 1/2 mile down the street. Sadly, many professing believers leave the church and do not come back.

This is reason #1 of why you see churches on almost every corner in America.

Church On Every Corner Reason #2

A second reason why you see a church on every corner in America is concerning the issue of denominations.

This does boil down to doctrine and belief. You may come upon a row of churches that range from the ‘Free Will Baptist’ Church of Small Town USA to the ‘First United Methodist’ Church of Small Town USA.

There are numerous denominations of churches in the world. The list includes denominations like 7th Day Adventist, Reformed Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, Methodist, Independent Fundamentalist Baptist, Church of Christ, etc. These are all Protestant Christian denominations.

Most Protestant churches do not govern in a Biblical fashion. What I mean by that is that these churches are generally not started using the Biblical model.

Biblical Model For Church Planting

The Biblical model for church planting is rather simple. 

Churches are to plant churches.

Sadly that is almost completely absent in American evangelicalism. In America, anyone (literally almost anyone) can claim they are a ‘pastor’ after a 15 minute on line certification. For a small fee of about $50 anyone can have ordination. 

That newly ordained individual can then march down to their local courthouse and pay another $50 to then make it official to hang a shingle for the ‘Second Baptist Church of Small Town USA.’ They can do this without being officially taught Christian doctrine or trained in any form or fashion. They can literally do this without even reading a Bible. No proof necessary.

Possessing the qualities of a Biblical pastor seems secondary. If you are interested, the Bible gives those qualifications in 1 Timothy Chapter 3. Unfortunately, there are men (and women) in pulpits today that do not meet these qualifications. 

Many do not seem to care. God does!

This is reason #2 of why you see churches on almost every corner in America.  

Church On Every Corner Reason #3

The third reason why you see a church on every corner in America is greed.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the 19th Century British pastor known as the ‘Prince of Preachers’ once said:

The hot sun and a plow has driven many a man to the pulpit.”

This is no different in 21st century America. ‘Pastoring’ can be a lucrative profession. Although most small church pastors are faithful and bring home barely enough to feed their families, some have made great fortunes from ‘pastoring.’

When young men see the likes of televangelists such as Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Creflo Dollar (the most ironic name ever), and TD Jakes, they can’t help but wonder why that couldn’t be them.

If the Lord has blessed them with the gift of gab, why can’t they lead thousands of congregants on a weekly basis.

Lead thousands and make millions. That sounds super!

The problem is that these guys are all shysters. Evangelical cons gaining wealth off of gullibility. It is sad to report.

But it’s true.

False Prosperity Gospel

Osteen once told Oprah Winfrey that “I can’t be a big blessing to people if I’m poor and broke.” Does anyone honestly believe that Joel Osteen single handedly ‘pastors’ 16,000+ every week?

If you believe that then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you. I’ll give you a great deal. I promise! 

Osteen couldn’t get past knowing everyone’s name much less lead them Biblically. After listening to several of his 12 minute sermonettes, I am not quite sure he knows enough theologically to really teach anyone. And as far as I know there are not a plurality of elders in place to help shepherd the load at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. 

Grace Community Church led by senior pastor John MacArthur is an example of what pastoring a large congregation is to look like. They have a plurality of elders that actually shepherd the 8,000+ congregation in Sun Valley, CA. MaCarthur has become more recently known for sueing California Governor Gavin Newsom for infringement upon religious liberties during COVID-19 crisis. 

Many have looked at the glitz and glamour of televangelists and have used this as a way to ‘get religion.’ It appears to be much more of a convenient way to obtain lots of wealth without having to physically labor for it. 

The ‘health, wealth, and prosperity’ message is no gospel message. It is devoid of real Biblical doctrine. It is a counterfeit. And so are the men (and women) who peddle it. 

This is reason #3 of why you see churches on almost every corner in America.

Church On Every Corner Etc.

There are certainly more reasons we see a church building on every corner in small town USA, but these 3 are certainly the contributing factors to many of them.

What’s the genesis of your local church? Hopefully it was planted by an already Biblically healthy establishment. 

If it wasn’t then chances are it was started after a church split, for a specific denomination, or by a con man who idolizes someone like Joel Osteen. 

It may be time for a little homework. 

 

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