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Famine for the Word of God?

Is the church experiencing a famine of the Word of God? What are your present day experiences in the church world? Are there still teachers offering meat?

Recently we visited with a minister working at a Bible College. The school had several ministers/ambassadors from a famous “Miracle Working Church” come and teach them about moving/receiving in the spirit. What he had to tell us was rather discouraging.

His summary is that many of the places where “signs” and “wonders” are happening, are happening in places where there is an obvious famine for the Word of God. People are being taught almost exclusively about how to move in, and receive the things of the Spirit of God, but there is apparently a complete lack of even the milk of the Word. He gave the example of the “ministers/ambassadors” sent from the “Miracle Working Church” had no ability to discuss even the simple things of the Word as they did not know it.

Our conversation went on to talk about how the Word is what changes us, not fleeting 'wonderful' experiences. (1 Peter 2:2 – “Long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation”). We need the healings, etc. but we need the Word even more. Where is it that we can get both?

It has been my observation (as expressed in another recently posted article, “Manifestations Not of God”), that it is too bad that those experiencing the manifestations are not being founded in the Word. Seemingly, their only foundation in Jesus is an excitement generated by an experience, and plenty of teaching about how to have more experiences.

The parable of the Sower tells me the Word is responsible for giving us roots, making us fruitful, and helping us stand firm when the trials of this life present themselves. Are we now thinking that the pastors / teachers mentioned in Ephesians is referencing a leader teaching almost exclusively on a pet doctrine?

This made me wonder if any of us can testify of finding a modern Christian teacher that is dispensing the meat of the Word. In the beginning of our Bible College days we were taught with meat. Those needing the milk of the Word still obtained needed milk substance while the meat was being offered for the growth of the many.

In my travels I’ve attended and ministered at many many churches. I’ve found congregations being fed almost exclusively pet doctrines (hobby-horse doctrines); I’ve found congregations being led on by cheerleaders telling them to be kind to their neighbors, or how to tithe, etc. Almost nowhere did I see people being raised up in the Word; being taught with example and not just concept; receiving practical applications and not generalities; and led into a deeper understanding of the God we serve (as represented in the Word) – and our resultant responsibility to that God. I have seen occasional meat being offered in adult Sunday School, pre-service classes. Always these meat offering classes were very poorly attended.

Many of you have been attending other churches, or in fellowship with “other” saints. What are you finding? Is there a modern day famine of the Word?

As someone has said, “When you look to the church, you will be discouraged. When you look to Jesus, you will be encouraged.”