When Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18 that “I will build my church”, He was declaring to all who would listen that his ekklesia, i.e., His community, was the focus of His eternal project. By sending the Holy Spirit to renew His church, for two thousand years, He has kept his word, and we can be assured that He will continue to be faithful to His word in the future.
How can we be so sure? Just look at major events of history that sought to destroy the church: persecutions, human governments, political influences, false doctrines, and even corruption and legalism within the church., None of these could destroy the church. Amid the various obstacles the church faces, the Lord continues to build His church.
The apostle Paul understood this truth after Jesus met him on the Damascus road to persecute the “People of the Way” – the title Jesus’ followers were known by after his ascension. About 30 years later, alone and shivering in a Roman Mamertine prison awaiting his execution for testifying to the resurrection of Jesus, Paul reminded his spiritual son, Timothy, to hold on to his faith, cherish the ekklesia, and preach the word.
The Palmer Theological Seminary (PTS) has stood on this charge for nearly a century and have raised up leaders in the church and in the world as whole persons, to preach the whole gospel.
The pressures of the 21st century against the church are different: indifference, individualism, relativism, secularism, Biblical illiteracy, and political division are just some of the challenges the Western Church faces today. According to LifeWay Research, 54% of American churches are reported to be declining (Earls, 2023). As a Christ-centered academic institution, Palmer Theological Seminary’s Center for CARES is invested in supporting our alumni and community clergy alike through our newest initiative, the Flourishing Leader Project. Beginning with “Atomic Habits for Pastors” on January 28th, in 2025, we will be offering bi-monthly initiatives, virtually and/or in-person, to offer renewal and support, as well as personal and professional growth opportunities for those leading the ekklesia of Jesus Christ.
Please take time to invest in yourself, experience inner renewal, strengthen your kingdom connections, develop healthy habits, and grow in your efficacy. The church is Jesus’ eternal project, and we are honored to partner with him and see it continue to flourish in our lifetime.
References
Earls A. (2023). 5 current challenges facing U.S. churches. Lifeway Research. Retrieved from https://research.lifeway.com/2023/09/26/5-current-challenges-facing-u-s-churches/