A spirit of pessimism has seized the souls of many right-thinking believers.

Nearly all main-line denominations and many smaller ones now register significant losses of membership. Church attendance, with few notable exceptions, declines at an alarming rate. Millions in our lands sustain little more than a nominal relationship to the church and seem to know next to nothing about the Gospel. What is more–they seem to care even less. Meanwhile public and private morality are victimized by the “situational” ethic which permits people to do pretty much as they please.

For this the leadership (including the “bureaucracies” which sit enthroned in denominational seats of power) will have to bear a large share of blame before God’s face. But these power-structures in Christ‘s church (and the venerable K. J. Popma does not hesitate to label them demonic) could not flourish like the green bay tree, were it not for the indolence, the indifference, the spiritual insensitivity of the “little man” who goes to church faithfully and pays the hills. What he seems to want most is to be left alone in his dream that all still is well. At least, even when complaining about programs and projects and propaganda which he believes to be out of harmony with the Gospel, he silences his soul with the argument that nothing can be done about the situation anyway.

This is an abdication of personal spiritual responsibility within the church; a denial of the high office of all believers. And that disease is fully as despicable and deadly as any heresy. It is false doctrine wedded’ in unholy marriage to false practice. . . . . the practice of doing nothing!

Today the church of our Lord Jesus Christ needs not revolution but reformation.

This may take several shapes.

Not long ago we witnessed a “revival” and “reformation” of the sound Gospel within the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). There those who undermined Scripture and the confession were ousted. Among the Presbyterians in the south the reformation led to the establishment of a continuing church under new leadership and with a new name but faithful to the heritage of the fathers. In much the same fashion many Episcopalian believers, having suffered the sad erosion of Gospel standards within their communion, re-constituted themselves as “The Anglican Church in North America.” Such ruptures in ecclesiastical fellowship indeed produce much heartache. About this our forefathers could speak from experience.

All such reformations, however, begin at the “grass roots.” Although leadership is undeniably needed, there can and will be no change for the better in any congregation or denomination, unless Christian believers become aware once more of their high calling. Church reformation always begins in the revived and renewed life of individuals who hear Christ’s call as Head and King of the church to be faithful to Him and His Word.

No season of the year is more appropriate to think on these things than the Lenten weeks.

Shortly we shall commemorate the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have been redeemed from sin and reconciled to the living God. He has purchased us by the blood of the cross to be His own possession. And even as He who is the obedient Son and Servant of the heavenly Father passed from death into life eternal, so He offers victory to all who by a lively faith are united in Him. They are called to live for Him whose they are. Such obedience in all things –including their church membership remains the test of the genuineness of their repentance and faith. He who gives all things expects much as “a living sacrifice of thankfulness” for grace abounding.

Let us, then, pray without ceasing for a truly God-glorifying renewal of the church in our day. This demands soul-searching which seeks personal reformation of heart and life (also from the sins of indifference and indolence) by the power of the Spirit. In His, is the wisdom, the patience, the courage needed. This will revive the office of all believers among us, by which Christ’s church can be restored to what it ought to be.

Often that pathway for God’s people seems overshadowed by deep, dark shadows for a time.

But, hallelujah, One goes with us along that road. He loves His blood-bought church dearly. He wili never forsake His own. Having gone through death as the all-sufficient atonement for sin, He reigns now in glory to give spiritual victories to every believer and so to every congregation which rejoices in Him.

May we all during this Lenten season pledge anew our life and loyalty to that Savior-King.

Peter Y. De Jong is pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church at Sheldon, Iowa.

This editorial is reprinted from the March 27, 1978 Renewal.