My feelings, following the results of the 2012 presidential race, are not predicated on the relative merits or either candidate. They are borne with facts that are true of Americans’ lives at this time in the 21st century; some of which are flavored by choices by our seated president’s words and actions, but not without difficulties that may be attributed to either of our presidential candidates or their parties. In short, our vulnerabilities and weaknesses as a nation—economically, spiritually, morally or otherwise, have a deeper root than the failures of human management or policy.
It is in the light of that preamble that I make this statement: The re-election of President Obama is yet another landmark of history that reveals the inevitable flow of events which increase in depth and spread when the church mistakes its mission. As one incident, the election outcome holds the portent of being a prophetic announcement of the impending end of the significance of the church in America, unless …
… Unless a reawakening of Christ’s body in America occurs, which heeds the “first of all” priority Paul, by the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 2:1-2), assigned to the church’s ministry of prayer and intercession for leaders, peoples and nations, no administration or political party will be capable of a solution to our nation’s essential problems.
… Unless the church becomes more persuaded that the fountainhead of its strength is in living worship—by which we humble ourselves, seeking God’s presence (more than it demonstrates our skill at making music)—no degree of programming or growth will be able to regain the place of influence the once-effective voice the church historically has had in the U.S. as “salt,” to neutralize the toxic issues existing in the arena of morality, justice and family life.
… Unless the pulpits, sanctuaries and classrooms of the church be once again employed as centerpieces of shaping disciples unto transformation with solid teaching and meaty preaching, holding forth the Word of life, the declining percentage of believers in America will be further reduced. “Church Growth” alone will never be an effective substitute for “people growth”; the formation and equipping of committed followers of Jesus Christ, who bear His Cross and who shine as lights in the world.
… Unless a vanguard of today’s American church leadership chooses to take a stand with Israel as the Sovereign God’s chosen people (a theological posture rooted in the Word and our nation’s history), the effect of out present apathy will advance an already increasing global anti-Semitism, and the brash rise in political scorn manifest today will continue to move our nation closer to the edge of self-destruction by reason of its collective choice to pass judgment against and forsake our support of God’s ancient land and people; a choice certain to boomerang cataclysmic judgments upon us via a scenario which may well bring about the finale of our nation’s existence (see Zech. 12-14).
In summary: the bitter fruit of the 2012 presidential outcome is not the party or person who is taking the White House, but in the disappearing fruitage of the church’s inherent, God-given dynamic to affect the spiritual climate of our nation and effect a harvest of the “fruit of righteousness” in a country formerly seen as sufficiently “Christian” to leave a deep enough stamp on the national life to indicate a credible, spiritual presence.
Jack Hayford is founder and chancellor of The King’s University in Los Angeles and a former president of The Foursquare Church. Best known as “Pastor Jack,” he is the founder of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, Calif., and a prolific writer and musical composer.
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