I hate AND love to think that the church in America might have to go underground one day. It is scary and at the same time, an exhilarating thought. Some Christians might think I’ve lost my mind, but let me share some thoughts on why I’m suggesting that the “true” church in America might one day be an underground church.
But first, is it too hard to think that the church MIGHT have to go underground at some point? I mean the true church, not the one that is approved, ok’d or will do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to keep their 503(c) status by the government. I’m talking about the church that will follow the Bible and choose to live for Jesus regardless of what the culture, government or anyone says. I mean the church that will be the church, even in the face of threats and persecution! Is it too hard to think that we could be there at some point in the near future?
Can You See It Happening?
It will (is) easy to blame us. I mean, come on! We are people who are unbending when it comes to just accepting what everyone (the world) is doing. Biblical Worldview Christians say no to abortion, homosexuality, etc.., etc.., etc.. We are just not tolerant. So why would the world want to put up with us? “Let’s remove these troublemakers and things will be easier,” you can almost hear them say! It’s happened before in other places in this world, at other times. And more importantly, Jesus warned about it.
18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. 20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates Me also hates My Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not have sin. Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened so that the statement written in their scripture might be fulfilled: They hated Me for no reason.
26 “When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. 27 You also will testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
John 15:18-27 (HCSB)
What If? Could Christian’s Accept an Underground Church?
So back to my statement, I hate and love to think that Christians, we, might find ourselves one day having to go underground to meet, fellowship and share God’s Word.
I hate the idea because I know that many Christians won’t be able to make the transition. Church is done in a “church.” We drive there every Sunday morning. It has rows of chairs and children’s church and maybe a cafeteria and a gym.
It would come as a shock that many wouldn’t be able to handle. As a result, many will lose faith and think that God is dead. Some will argue that these people were never really Christians to begin with. Maybe, Maybe not! I just know that sometimes we have such thoughts and ideas that normalcy bias sets in and we can’t imagine anything else…or meeting together in any other way.
Shaking the Church
I love the idea that churches might have to go underground one day because it will shake the very core of American Christianity! We have built our faith around a building, great preachers, great music and great amenities (Children’s church, Youth Group, Singles, etc…). There is nothing wrong with all of this, but it has become more of “this is church” than we come together to worship and serve God!
We have come to expect that we “go to church” to get fed or to grow spiritually. Christians have come to expect that the pastor needs to be a great speaker, who is energetic, positive and entertaining. We go to church to “feel” it. And if we don’t, we go find another one.
Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t the case for ALL churches in America. However, I bet I would get more that agree with me than not!
Going underground means that we will have to be more relational. The church would more than likely meet in homes. It would be more participatory. There would probably be more prayer and seeking God.
Relational
Let’s face it, you can walk into many churches today and absent the “Good morning” from the greeters at the door, if your church does that, you don’t have to actually speak to anyone. A smile and a nod will suffice most of the time. This is good and bad. Sometimes you just want to walk in and focus on God. You might not want social club time! But most of the time we like to talk to people. We like to know that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, we want to belong. Yes, you can always get involved in some aspect of church, they always need volunteers, but some just don’t naturally gravitate to that.
In an underground church or small home church setting, you can’t just get away with showing up and leaving without interacting with others. And if you don’t show up for some reason, people will know it. There is usually food and sharing and times of fellowship that you just don’t experience in a large church setting. You become part of the family, you belong.
Participatory
You’ve probably heard the term “sit and get.” This is usually the case in churches where the preacher gets up to preach. There isn’t really a lot of participation, outside of signing some songs. Yes, you can join a small group and get involved in ministry. But the main thrust of any church is the Sunday morning service.
Home churches or small groups are just by nature more participatory. Coming together, maybe sitting in a circle, just lends itself to times where people can ask questions and discuss spiritual matters. As this happens, it becomes easier and easier to share faith with others. It also allows others to see that they are not in it alone. The person sitting across the room is going through the same concerns, fears, situations…
Prayer
Prayer in a church setting usually means the pastor or someone is called to the front, given a microphone and says a prayer. This is usually already set up before the service, again nothing wrong with that. Some churches allow for prayer at the end of the service. They will call prayer partners up and you can come up for special prayer.
In a smaller setting, prayer can be spontaneous. It can take as long as needed. Those that feel that they should pray, can. And more importantly, if Christian’s are meeting in an underground church, then there will be plenty of reasons to pray!
Seeking God
In a larger church setting, most of the “spiritual food” is provided by the pastor. I hate to say it, but many times it is programmed, sermon series based on a given passage are easy and don’t take too much hearing from God. I know, I’ve been there and done that! There might be more available for members in small groups, but it depends on how the groups are laid out and the focus that the leader wants to share.
In a home church/small group setting, there is still usually someone in charge of providing a message or sermon or the sharing of Scripture. However, it doesn’t always have to be the same person and the discussion and sharing can always lead it where the Holy Spirit would like it to go. Again, there is freedom to discuss Scriptures more or pray more or take however long it takes.
Conclusion
The focus of this article is about a time when churches might have to go underground. In no way am I saying that churches need to do this now or that it is the only way! I have pastored a home church for many years and I currently pastor a small church that doesn’t meet in a home, so I’m not against small or larger churches.
I do think that churches should really think about this topic. Certain issues are causing more and more pastors to think about what their churches would look like in a tyrannical government scenario. Pastors, elders and church officials should be thinking about contingencies so that their members are “looked after” and can continue meeting together in the faith.
In part 2, I will share some specifics, from my years of pastoring a home church, that Christians should think about when considering meeting in small congregational settings.
Peace,
Todd
This article was previously posted on Prepper Church.
This article first appeared on Ed That Matters.
Get updates in your email when a new article is posted. Join the Newsletter or grab the RSS Feed.
If you enjoyed the article, please vote for the site at Top Prepper Websites.
Copyright – Content on Ed That Matters (unless the work of a Third-Party) may be reproduced in part or whole with attribution through a link to www.edthatmatters.com. If you are interested in a Third Party article, please contact the author for permission.
Hi Todd,
Per the 501(c)3 topic, a question to ask is whether a particular church really has a 501c3 exemption to lose.
I helped a local sports booster club file for a state tax-exemption and a 501c3, so got familiar with the process. My church here in New Hampshire does not have a 501c3. It never filed for one, so there isn’t one for an angry government official to revoke.
Perhaps it’s unique to NH law, but the law on NH books exempts churches from (corporate) taxes, as a class. It’s not granted individually. I would have to wonder if there is something similar in the convoluted IRS tax code. If so, an oppressive government would have to change the law for all, rather than seek to target individual pastors for not toeing the political-correctness line. That would be a very tough sell, as it would hurt “churches” the government likes too.
Even then, what are they really threatening to do? Saying they will tax an un-PC church. So? That’s just money. A church/pastor unwilling to speak the biblical truth because it might cost them a few bucks, is a rather tepid church. Of course, nowadays, we have quite a few of those too.
Todd,
I find nothing in this article with which I can disagree. I have been saying for several years that the Church in America will eventually go underground, and it will be bitter/sweet.
About 3 years back my neighbor invited me to an informal bible study at a hall just down the street. I really didn’t know what to expect because the last few years I’d gotten away from the Christian churches because I didn’t think the preacher ( priests what have you ) were very sincere in Christs word. Maybe it was just misconception on my part.
However I kept an open mind. I was pleasantly surprised to find these humble layman/women loved to read and debate scripture in a friendly way. It was very hands on and a very outgoing energetic group which totally 180 degrees different from the organized church’s. And, once the meeting was over we ” break bread ” with casseroles and homebaked goodies while we fellowshipped. I enjoyed it.
So I can see your point about churches going underground.
The way the liberals are pursuing their hateful misunderstood persecution of Christians in this country is breath taking. Kinda reminds of Christians retreating to the Catacombs to save themselves. What we will be doing next? Chalking a fish symbol on the side of a building so we can recognize each other? I don’t that will be possible without being observed by CC or a watchful anti Christian liberal zealot?
Ah,well, as usual Todd you’ve given me a lot to think about and I have this unusual urge to Psalms.
Best!
Snake Plisken
The church I attended as a child occasionally and later attended after accepting Christ then I heard the pastor who I had respect for say in a men’s prayer time that taking a microchip in the hand was okay. I believed he was serious, but felt he maybe was joking. I stopped going regularly after he said the same in church. I got married, had kid’s. We got married there, by the youth pastor who was about my age. Attending occasionally, a few weeks ago took one of the kids and now he’s talking about global warming. The youth pastor resigned and had already moved out of state before I knew about it. I can’t believe people can sit and listen to this and not say anything. The Clergy Response Team is real and every Christian should know about it. It saddens me to see strange fire in a church my great grandfather helped to build. If this can happen in Vermont, it can happen anywhere.
Joe,
I do believe you need to be somewhere that preaches the Word! I hope you continue to look for a church that is Bible based. It is important to be in fellowship with other Christians.
Peace,
Todd
a good church has already begun to think and act in a way that it can become the underground church. The church has always historically grown the most under persecution. I was speaking with a pastor from China while on a trip there and one in our group asked if he wished they could get rid of the communist government, his response, “why would we want to get rid of the thing that has caused the church in China to grow the most?” I believe in the coming months we will begin to see the falling away in a big way, very quickly you will see the true church and the apostate church and those who will not stand for sound doctrine will quickly be leaving….love God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength….
I for one see the very real probability of the true believers of the Christian faith eventually forming underground home churches in America, as it is done in countries like China and Vietnam, and now beginning in Europe as well. The professing Christians in liberal bodies which make accommodations with society, and cooperate with governmental sanctions on free speech will be unaffected, having already determined to please the world and survive persecution of any kind.
As the Western countries have become more immoral, pluralized and have legitimized homosexuality and degeneracy as virtues, and as more churches have abandoned their true calling to be a light on a hill, it is a historical precedent that remnants of Christians throughout the ages find solace and strength in small groups.
In time, the Bible will be hate speech, and only watered down Christianity will be tolerated. Thus, small groups will be considered cults and as in China, any Bible studies in private homes will need to be “registered” and watched by government. Of course, true believers will resist and some pastors will be imprisoned. Did our Lord not say we should anticipate persecution, and that we will not float with ease through a hostile world? I think we need to pray about this, and prepare mentally for the uncertainties ahead. The days are evil, and change is coming as God purges His church. The fearful and unbelievers have no stomach for it, but those who love the Lord and count themselves as His followers must put on their armor now.
Great perspective. I think that with a lot of churches watering down the gospel and afraid to speak out against sin, it is keeping people developing a deeper relationship with God and fellow believers. The small groups help with that a lot. Hoping to find a good church with this mentality in my new location.
I see many reacting as a friend has: “God will provide”. In other words, she and her church will do nothing as they are shut down and led away.
Left this sad consideration out – some in these ‘churches ‘ would easily rat out underground believers
Doesn’t every faith believe they are “the “true” church?” Which one really is? I mean, the Catholics, Jews, Presbyterians, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Baptists, SOUTHERN Baptists, Lutherans, Seventh Day Adventists, Methodists, Mormons, Branch Davidians, etc., etc., all claim to be THE TRUE WAY to paradise. Who gets to decide? The government, or just the loudest, flashiest evangelist in a mega-church? It’s a decision we all make, depending on our individual beliefs. Unfortunately it can also be a decision forced upon new generations by parents, teachers and clergy. So if I don’t say the “approved” words during prayer, or kneel at the wrong time, in the wrong direction, I’m damned to hell?
Christ tells us that He is the way. So am I an approved person if I have a personal relationship with the Lord, but don’t buy into the dogma of major organized, money driven “religion?”
As for taxation, doesn’t Christian scripture tell followers to pay their taxes? “Render onto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” [Mark 12:17].
Very good insight! Something we all need to think about. As I see more and more churches being tagged as “Six Flags Over Jesus,” I wonder about how people are really being led to Christ, and how many of us would have the “stick-to-itiveness” that persecution would demand? The Church has been largely silent on things like abortion, homosexuality, child pornography (or pornography in general!) and gender confusion over the last decades when we could have really made a difference. I pray we have the guts and faith it will take to fight to make things right in our nation again before God’s judgement falls on us. Thank you for using your platform to get us thinking, and challenging us!
I love you man. Keep in the truth. Doug
Thanks Douglas!
Peace,
Todd