The Wayward Church

The early Church, under Paul’s guidance, established a clear understanding that the Church, under the headship of Christ, was to be a pillar of care and provision for those in need within the community. Paul called believers to participate financially through their tithes and offerings so that the Church could fulfill this responsibility.

We see this clearly in 1 Corinthians 16:1–4 (NIV):

“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.”

This is one of many examples demonstrating the Church’s responsibility to provide for others. 2 Corinthians 8–9, Romans 15:25–27, and Acts 24:17 further reinforce this principle.

So why is the 21st-century Church struggling so badly? Why is an institution established under the headship of Christ struggling financially while communities are increasingly deprived of the rich heritage of care that historically characterized the family of believers?

In large part, the Church has become increasingly institutionalized as a business entity. The measure of a “successful” church is often defined by mega-buildings, mega-congregations, mega-budgets, and mega-events. In the pursuit of relevance and credibility, churches can become more focused on identifying with the world than on simply creating a space for people to encounter the sovereign, almighty God.

This is not true of every church, but the broader movement across many churches and denominations toward being perceived as “relevant” deserves serious examination.

How does this relate to the Church’s withdrawal from its historic role in community welfare? At its core, the issue seems to be one of power, popularity, and profitability.

History provides painful examples we have evidently not learned from. At various points in the history of the Catholic Church, financial practices—including the sale of indulgences—were abused, creating the perception that spiritual benefits could be obtained through financial contributions. The construction of great cathedrals and institutions became intertwined with the accumulation and use of enormous financial resources on the backs of penniless parishioners.

But this is not simply a criticism of Catholicism, nor is it limited to contemporary buildings or elaborate worship spaces. The same temptation can exist in all churches and denominations. The issue is not the building, the furnishings, or the style of worship. The issue is intention: Who is the Church ultimately serving, and how are its resources being used to serve both its congregation and its community?

In many places, the Church has stepped away from fields such as healthcare and community welfare because they no longer appear to serve an immediate institutional or financial purpose. Community outreach can become reduced to occasional photo opportunities—helping a homeless family, highlighting the effort on Sunday morning, and posting it on social media—rather than establishing sustained ministries that address the ongoing needs of the community, and keeping them well funded.

At the same time, some churches have developed massive staffs, substantial salaries, extensive benefit packages, expensive buildings, significant debt, continual remodeling projects, and ever-expanding programs. In turn, the congregation is repeatedly begged to give more: more pledges, more capital campaigns, more loans, more debt, and more money for something newer, bigger, or better.

Why?

Because the focus has shifted from providing for others to providing for ourselves.

I have witnessed churches facing serious financial difficulties while leadership compensation remained untouched, even as other staff members lost their jobs or had their compensation reduced. I have seen financially struggling churches take on additional debt, build more, buy more, and acquire more in the hope that greater facilities would attract more people—and ultimately, more giving.

I have also seen churches struggle to meet existing obligations while continuing to spend thousands of dollars on rebranding.

The priorities become difficult to reconcile. It presents a troubling picture of the American Church in 2026. And yet, many seem surprised when churches close, when church buildings are demolished or repurposed as restaurants, bars, and commercial spaces, and when congregations disappear.

Is it a sign of the end times, only God knows, but it is definitely a sign of drifting away from God’s purpose for the Church.

The Church was designed to teach, heal, mature, unite, confront, love, challenge, and equip the body of Christ—and ultimately, give itself away for the benefit of others.

When a Church is free to give as freely as its congregation gives, it can flourish—not because it has accumulated the most, but because it understands the true business of the Church: to faithfully steward what God has entrusted to it and give it away in service to Him and for the benefit of others.