Modernity

I can do what you can't do, and you can do what I can't do.
Together we can do great things.
— Mother Teresa

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.
— Acts 1:8

Reading through the book, More Than Conquerors — Portraits of Believers from All Walks of Life, I ran across a statement made by the late great preacher and author, A.W. Tozer. He writes, "Save me from the curse that lies across the face of the modern clergy, the curse of compromise, of imitation, and of professionalism. Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet; not a promoter, not a religious manager."

Dr. Tozer died in 1963 with the reputation as one who did not pull punches. He spoke the truth.

Reflecting on Tozer's comments, I am also reminded of Os Guinness' term modernity — the spirit, system, and sum total of everything that makes up our modern world.

Al McDonald once said, "Modern management can be the kiss of death if it overshadows rather than reinforces the basic mission of the church. Without care we might settle for something that looks genuine, but is not."

Modernity can function as a substitute for the Holy Spirit if we are not careful. For example, if things are going well, we can operate in our own power for long periods of time without even noticing He's missing! That concerns me. How about you? We would all do well to take a good, long, prayerful look at our ministries and ask the Holy Spirit to show us where modernity has usurped Him.

Taken from The Minister's Little Devotional Book.
Copyright © 1997 by H.B. London Jr. and Stan Toler.
Used by permission of RiverOak Publishing, Tulsa, Okla.
All rights reserved.