There are a plethora of links speeding across the web that include a headline about The Grove United Methodist Church. If the story is true, this so-called church needs more than a program focusing on the younger demographic.

Apparently, in a memo summarizing a Dec. 12 meeting, Wetterstrom said the church could soon die, saying, “… unless something changes, we are nearing the end.” The answer is a new appeal to younger families. “Jesus said we are called to reach new people,” said Wetterstrom. This quote is also on the church site from the pastor, “I love church because… the church is people in all their beauty and complexity.”  Grand Forks Herald

Here are a couple of verses for the leadership in this church to muse upon:

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.“

1 Samuel 4:21 “And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.“

pastor Wetterstrom, the church is not going to die! Surely, you know who died for the church, built the church, and empowered the church? You do know who protects the church so that the gates of hell will not prevail against it? Sir, this has nothing to do with you. You don’t have the ability to save the church nor proclaim its demise. The Author and Finisher of our Faith, Jesus, the Son of God is the Rock upon which every Christian in every church rests their confidence.

Furthermore, the church website celebrates the following: “Come as you are – you’ll be welcomed” If the reports filtering through social media are true, the site needs to be edited.

Let me draw your attention to a decision by the leaders of the church that hopefully creates an opportunity for spiritually recover.

Reportedly, the pastor offers this information: “He said that Methodists’ regional Annual Conference is paying $250,000 to restart the church. They have hired a specialist in starting new churches — Jeremy Peters.”

Final thought: the reason for the hiring of a specialist is because the leadership of the church does not have a personal relationship with THE SPECIALIST, our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is hope, though, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.