The Lord said of the church at Sardis, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." (Revelation 3:1) Sardis had been spiritually alive, for the Lord told them to remember how they had received and heard; but now, although they had a reputation for being alive, they were dead. Obviously, the Christians at Sardis were not aware of their dire condition.

It is a sad fact that local churches die from time to time, but what causes a thriving, spiritually alive, local church to die? What are some of the signs that point to this happening? In this article, we want to notice some of the possible warning signs of death in hope of strengthening the Lord's church. A congregation may have some, or all, of the signs mentioned. Whatever the case, if there is improvement to be made in our personal lives, and we make the improvement, it will strengthen the local church where we are members.

Signs of Approaching Death

These are outward signs that warn of a congregation's approaching death. These signs suggest deeper spiritual problems, which if corrected, could save the congregation from death.

• One sign indicating that the Hebrew brethren were drifting was that some were forsaking the assembly (Hebrews 10:25). Naturally, our love for our brethren and the Lord will grow cold if we cease to assemble with them regularly (Hebrews 10:23-24). As the passage teaches, we are to be present to stir each other up unto love and good works. If we forsake the assembling of the saints, then they cannot encourage us, and we cannot encourage them. In fact, we would be discouraging those who do faithfully assemble to worship God.
  
  The attendance-board figures can indicate a serious problem. When attendance gaps begin to appear between different church services, then we can know there is a problem that needs attention.
  
  
• Another warning sign, closely associated with forsaking the assembly, is if only a few are concerned about those who miss regularly. Concerned enough, that is, to call or visit and inquire as to the reason for their absence and, if necessary, offer rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2). Love for the Lord is waning in the lives of those who forsake the assembly, but also in the lives of their brethren who feel no compulsion to try to save their lost souls (Galatians 6:1; John 13:34-35).
  
  
• Life's cares and pleasures are ever-present dangers for God's children (Luke 8:14). Satan has infiltrated many local churches via this avenue. He has been successful in convincing us that the pursuit of material goods and fun and games is more important than working diligently for the Lord in His vineyard (1 Corinthians 3:9; John 9:4). This is not to say that material goods and recreation are sinful, but they can become sinful if we get our lives out of balance and begin to place more emphasis on these earthly treasures than on God's kingdom.
  
  How many Christians can make time to play softball, soccer, or golf two or three times a week; work overtime or take on a second job; but can barely fit in enough time to assemble with the saints? And when we do squeeze the services into our hectic schedules, we have not done our lessons, and our children are not prepared for class.
  
  If we find ourselves so busy or so tired that attending the church services is a burden, and we are rarely, if ever, prepared when we do attend, then could we possibly be doing other things the Lord has commanded of us? Jesus commands us to read and meditate on His word, to visit the widows and orphans in their affliction, to teach our neighbors and our children the gospel, to encourage our brethren, to be hospitable, to restore those who have erred from the truth, and to care for our aged parents (1 Timothy 4:13-16; James 1:27; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 4:9; James 5:19-20; 1 Timothy 5:16). This list is not exhaustive, but how many who have difficulty attending because of the cares and pleasures of life are actively carrying out any of these commands? "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." (1 John 5:3) No, God's commandments are not grievous; they just get in the way of secular things we would rather be doing.
  
  
• Another indication of a congregation's approaching death can be seen in its members' close associates. Jesus associated with sinners with one goal in mind--saving their souls (Matthew 9:10-12). His closest friends, and those with whom He regularly associated, were His disciples (Matthew 12:46-50; John 11:1-5; 15:14). Our close friends may be good, moral people in the eyes of the world, but do they help us become stronger Christians? Do we open our mouths and try to teach them the truth as Jesus did when He encountered those in the world? If we are actively trying to teach them the truth, one of two things will likely occur: they will obey the gospel, or they will begin to shun us. This is a natural consequence of teaching the gospel; people either obey Christ, or they reject Him (Matthew 12:30). Those who reject Christ usually feel condemned by those who accept Him, and they generally do not want to keep company with those they feel are condemning them.
  
  How does this relate to our topic about a dying church? If we find ourselves readily accepted by those in the world, maybe we are not actively trying to reach them with the gospel. And, just maybe, they are pulling us away from those with whom we ought to be associating--our brethren. The more we are separated from our brethren, the more likely it is that our love for them will grow cold.
  
  We are commanded to exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). Yet, we see our brethren no more than three times a week and that for a few brief minutes after services. How can we do much exhorting? When most of a congregation's members prefer to be with worldly people, instead of their own brethren, it poses a serious problem that requires more than a band-aid to repair.
  
  
• Another sign of approaching death is when the church produces more coaches, fishermen, hunters, ball players, shoppers, etc., than Bible-class teachers, elders, preachers, and godly women. The Hebrew writer rebuked the brethren because of their lack of growth in this area (Hebrews 5:12-14). They had experienced sufficient time to have matured as Christians to the point where they could be teachers; instead, they needed someone to teach them the first principles of the oracles of God.
  
  Is it becoming more difficult to find among our own members those who will put forth the time and effort necessary to work up a sermon or teach a Bible class for a quarter? Are teachers coming to class prepared? Are we challenging our classes or the congregation? Do our classes invite discussion and comments, or snores and dreams?
  
  When we have members who are capable of teaching in the local schools or willing to coach just about any recreational activity, then ability to teach is not the problem. Knowledge of the subject may be lacking, but a regular daily study period can remedy that situation. The problem is willingness. Some are willing to study and teach secular subjects for money. Others are willing to learn about and teach recreational activities because their children are involved, and they believe that wholesome recreation is a must if a child is to grow up normally in the twentieth century. Granted, there is nothing wrong with wholesome recreation, but do our children witness us placing more emphasis on earthly exercise than godly exercise?
  
  There seems to be no shortage of coaches, school teachers, and recreational directors, but there does seem to be a dearth when it comes to Bible class teachers, elders, preachers, and godly mothers who work at home. Do we have to be lying on our death beds before we recognize the importance of learning, obeying, and teaching God's word to the next generation?
  
  
• Lack of discipline causes a congregation to weaken and be susceptible to death. The church of Christ in Corinth was admonished to withdraw from an erring brother in order to save his soul. An additional reason given for purging out the wicked from among them was "that a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6). When there is no law enforcement, sin spreads. For example, if some young people are permitted to dress immodestly, others will ultimately follow their examples. When the first group is not disciplined for their sinful actions, then the second group will usually be allowed their indiscretions, and generations to come will likely follow these bad examples. When one group's sins are not addressed as they should be, then another group with different sins will receive strength to continue in their evil ways.
  
  In Kentucky, the speed limit is rarely enforced. The result: nearly everyone speeds. Likewise, if churches do not enforce God's laws, then sin will be the result, and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). We need to realize that God's law will eventually be enforced (John 5:28-29). Many in local congregations are not disciplined because some are afraid that discipline will bring trouble, or the one who needs discipline is a family member. Discipline strengthens the local church, and love for our erring family members ought to cause us to want to do all we can to bring about their salvation. Besides, failure to discipline is disobedience to God (2 Corinthians 2:9).
  
  
• Another sign of spiritual illness is when a local church begins to take in sinful members from other congregations. Problems welcomed into the local body may not show up for several years.
  
  If one congregation takes in leaven that has been purged from another congregation, the leavening process will continue wherever the leaven is allowed to do its evil work. Leaven imported from another congregation will destroy a church just as fast as the home-grown variety.
  
  
• A congregation is also in danger of death when it desires weak, watered-down preaching, and the preacher caters to its desire. Paul taught Timothy to stand firm and "preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul warned that some would not want to hear sound doctrine, but evangelists should preach to please God and not men (2 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 2:4).
  
  Preaching like Jesus, Peter, Stephen, and Paul will be offensive to some in the church today, but God will be pleased, and honest hearts will respond to His call (Matthew 5:8; Luke 8:15). Sermons that exposed error and pointed the way to salvation brought persecution to the first-century church, but they also brought unprecedented growth (Ephesians 5:11; Acts 19:1-20). God's word is just as powerful today, and if we are willing to wield the sword He has given us as the first-century Christians wielded it, perhaps we will see similar results (Romans 1:16; Ephesians 6:17).

This list of warning signs is not exhaustive. Hopefully, churches will examine themselves and make correction where it is needed (2 Corinthians 13:5). No congregation has to die, but die it will if its members drift through life without performing any self-examination and making the necessary corrections. James warned about those who look into God's mirror, the Word, and see flaws, but do not make the needed corrections (James 1:23-24). Let us be wise hearers of the Word and strengthen the Lord's church. "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Brother Alexander wrote this article almost fifteen years ago. His statements were true then, and they remain true today. I've heard, from those who lived during the 1950s, that the Lord's church was the fastest growing church in this country. People used to say that its members were like "walking Bibles." Where are we today? The average church's membership is around 100. Is this because the world became smaller, or could it be that many churches have already died? We live in a fast-paced society; people are so busy they have little time for themselves, and it seems none for the Lord. When things become too busy, religion is the first thing they give up.

Sadly, this is also becoming a problem for those in Christ's body. When I was a boy, we had ten-day meetings, with morning services. Then we went to seven days, with two services. A few years ago, most meetings went from Sunday through Friday. What about now? To coin a phrase from an esteemed brother, we now have dovetail meetings-Friday-thru-Sunday weekend meetings. How can less preaching make us stronger spiritually? Are we slowly dying without even knowing it? The Lord needs a spiritually alive church-not a dead one!