Broken Church Systems

“The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets… went after things that do not profit.” (Jeremiah 2:8 ESV)

This is a sobering commentary concerning church leaders who do not discern the absence of the presence of God in their lives. We can even teach the Word while not having a vital relationship with Jesus.

One telling sign of the apostasy of a minister is a proclivity to idolatry: chasing after things that do not profit (I.e., materialism, ambition, playing church politics, shunning needed accountability, etc.)

Lord, help us to maintain sensitivity, discernment, authenticity, and genuine humility that only come from a sincere relationship with You in your Word and vital communion with the Holy Spirit.

“For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13 ESV)

To add to this, Jeremiah declares that we have hewn out cisterns (implemented man made systems, via structures, programs, and methods) that don’t hold water (the presence of the Holy Spirit).

The word “cisterns” even sounds like the word “systems.” These of themselves are not wrong. However, they are broken (ineffective, defective) if they are not filled with the presence and power of God.

As God’s shepherd leaders, we must have a continual refilling of the Holy Spirit to bring authenticity, anointing, and power to our people. Unchanged leaders produced unchanged people.

Furthermore, we must seek God regarding implementing any system, program, method, or structure and discern if any of these truly help facilitate divine encounters with God. Honesty is key here.

(For further insight, read Ezekiel 44 and Acts 4:33)