Earlier this year Ps Tony Wan preached a sermon at Talua and said that the PCV is in serious decline. The percentage of people in Vanuatu who are Presbyterian has fallen as follows:
1989 – 48%
1997 – 37%
2009 – 28%
This means we are losing about 10% every 10 years. Most people agree that there is a big problem, but what is the answer?
Ps Tony said that pastors are not spending enough time preaching, teaching and discipling. This is like the church in Acts 6. The Apostles were helping feed widows, but they chose other people to do this so that they could spend their time preaching and praying (Acts 6:3-4). Today pastors are doing many things, but they are not preaching and praying and discipling enough.
I agree with this. The only way the church can grow is through the word of God. We must pray and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Yufala i mas kam we yufala i wantem tumas tok blong God... olsem ol pikinini we i jes bon i wantem titi tumas. Tok ya i save mekem yufala i kam strong, nao bambae God i sevem yufala." (1 Peter 2:2)
What do you think? Is there are problem? What should we do?
But we've been preaching for the past thirty years.... and the church has been in decline. Maybe it's time for something else?
ReplyDeleteThat last comment is mine. I don't actually agree with it but have heard others say it. I do think it is worth thinking about.
ReplyDelete