Times have been changing.  We are experiencing change in the way we worship and the way regulations have impacted churches today. I have been reading a few books, listening to ministers, and talking to several people about these changes.  It has made me ponder the question, What will the church look like in the near future in the USA? 

Understand that the American church doesn’t depict what church should or should not look like. The church is not an American product. I have heard pastors and members say that they believe that at some point the church will have to go underground or meet in homes.

I tend to agree, but at what point in the church's future will this happen? I do not know, but in the society we are living in, in order to speak the truth it can and will get costly.

I have listened to pastors say they cannot outright say some things because of fear of losing members, money, and creating a firestorm of controversy.

I have listened to frustrated members say that too many of the “professional clergy” are afraid to speak the truth for fear of the same. They fear losing their livelihood, money, members, and the extreme controversy that follows.

What I do know is the Jesus Christ is still building His church.

Matt 16:18 18 I also say to you that you are [a]Peter, and upon this [b]rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. NASB

And brave men who have stood up and spoke the truth in the face of severe persecution and oftentimes death. Have furthered the continuation of the church of Jesus Christ.

Which leads to a statement I read. Who’s responsible to keep the church going?

If Jesus is building the church then isn’t it His responsibility to keep the church built and going? Yes, it is and He will continue to build and keep the church going. 

But don’t we have a part too play in this? Remember the book of Revelation. Rev 2: 1-7 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks [a]among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and [b]perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have [c]perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the [d]deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

It seems the continuance of the church here was based on their repentance and obedience to the message. The church is Jesus Christ’s to build and save, but it seems that we as people have a part to play in the continuation of the church in our area. 

Will the church in the future look like the NT church found in Acts? Will we see more house churches starting up in the future?  Will regulations continue to be imposed to worship together in-person?

Time will tell, but we do know that Jesus Christ is building His church.