“A Pastor’s Plea for a Return to Righteousness” Isaiah 59:1-21

TRANSCRIPT

Date: October 5, 2025 Author: Wayne J. Edwards

In the late 1960s, church attendance in America was about 73% of the population, a level that had held steady for more than 50 years. However, by 1999, the number had dropped to around 63%, and by 2020, it was down to 47%, and now it is around 30%. According to those who conduct in-depth research, the contemporary church growth ministry model deserves much of the blame. What? Yes, a strategy designed to grow the church has done the opposite. The contemporary church growth strategy was built on very different goals than traditional things like the expository preaching of the Word of God, with a significant focus on the biblical doctrines of the Christian Faith, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, and building a community of believers where everyone is someone and Jesus Christ is Lord. While it is weakening, today’s church growth strategy is built on the types of ministries and events that attract the outside community, and a “Sunday Experience” that would equal a theme-park concert, complete with professional musicians and a charismatic speaker. However, as the church growth movement increased, church attendance decreased. Yes, smaller traditional churches closed their doors, but only because their members and visitors were drawn to seeker-sensitive, doctrinally-light, entertainment-based churches. The church growth movement has led to weaker community, weaker theological acuity, weaker biblical knowledge, and little understanding or appreciation of the church’s historic liturgies. With so few connections between the church and its members, it should be no wonder that many are fading away from the church altogether. This Sunday’s sermon is based upon the book I published in 2005 entitled “ Raising the Standard,” – One Pastor’s plea for a return to righteousness.” We are deeply grateful for your continued support and for sharing these sermon study guides with those you think might be interested. Your efforts in spreading the message of faith and holiness are genuinely appreciated and have helped us reach viewers worldwide.

In the late 1960s, church attendance in America was about 73% of the population, a level that had held steady for more than 50 years. However, by 1999, the number had dropped to around 63%, and by 2020, it was down to 47%, and now it is around 30%. According to those who conduct in-depth research, the contemporary church growth ministry model deserves much of the blame. What? Yes, a strategy designed to grow the church has done the opposite.

The contemporary church growth strategy was built on very different goals than traditional things like the expository preaching of the Word of God, with a significant focus on the biblical doctrines of the Christian Faith, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, and building a community of believers where everyone is someone and Jesus Christ is Lord. While it is weakening, today’s church growth strategy is built on the types of ministries and events that attract the outside community, and a “Sunday Experience” that would equal a theme-park concert, complete with professional musicians and a charismatic speaker.

However, as the church growth movement increased, church attendance decreased. Yes, smaller traditional churches closed their doors, but only because their members and visitors were drawn to seeker-sensitive, doctrinally-light, entertainment-based churches.

The church growth movement has led to weaker community, weaker theological acuity, weaker biblical knowledge, and little understanding or appreciation of the church’s historic liturgies. With so few connections between the church and its members, it should be no wonder that many are fading away from the church altogether.

This Sunday’s sermon is based upon the book I published in 2005 entitled “ Raising the Standard,” – One Pastor’s plea for a return to righteousness.”

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and for sharing these sermon study guides with those you think might be interested. Your efforts in spreading the message of faith and holiness are genuinely appreciated and have helped us reach viewers worldwide.

Download the following translated Sermon guides:

Old Testament Reading – Hosea 4:1-10 New Testament Reading – 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

Fifty years ago, in the name of “church growth,” a new generation of church leaders abandoned the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, which were, as Jude said, “Once delivered to the saints,” and replaced them with a benevolent gospel which seems to be more concerned about not hurting the feelings of those who are dying in their sins than in facing them with the truth that will set them free from an eternity in hell. This deliberate lowering of the standards of righteousness has resulted in two major problems for today’s church.

Throughout the Old Testament, the pattern of Israel’s spiritual infidelity, followed by God’s judgment, is clearly evident, and such is the case in Isaiah 59.

In verses 3-8, God identified Israel’s sins as:

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