The Golden era of the Church - when was (is) it?

Throughout the history of the church, people have often said that it needs reform—especially when services try to cater to traditionalism or societal and contemporary expectations only, without truly engaging with the Scriptures. Some look back at past eras and believe the church was once more faithful, fervent, and forward in its mission. 

However, when we examine history more closely, the picture is not as simple as it seems. The church has always had people who were deeply immersed in the Word, but it has also had those who attended for superficial reasons, or simply because it was the cultural norm.

In fact, there has never been a time when the church was made up entirely of people who were deeply committed to their faith. The church has always been a mix of those who are transformed by the gospel and those who are more concerned with outward appearances or social benefits. And yet, despite these differences, the church has survived and thrived—not because of our efforts, but because of the Holy Spirit, who works through our weaknesses to advance the Gospel and strengthen the church.

Looking back at church history, we see that every era had people who were deeply committed to their faith. In the early church, many Christians faced persecution and even martyrdom, showing their commitment to Christ in the face of death. In the Middle Ages, thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas helped deepen the church's understanding of Scripture and the Christian faith. These are the figures we tend to idealize, believing that the church was at its peak in these times.

However, alongside these faithful individuals, there were always others who attended church more out of tradition or societal expectations. During the Reformation, for example, many people went to church because it was expected, not because they had a deep understanding of the Scriptures. In the medieval church, many people relied on external rituals and practices rather than a personal, transformative faith. These superficial reasons for attending church are not new—they have always existed.

The same is true today. In modern churches, we still have people who are deeply committed to studying the Bible, but we also have many who attend for tradition, community, or personal benefits. Some may not know much about the Bible, and others may not seek spiritual growth. Just like in the past, the church is made up of both the deeply faithful and those who are more superficial in their engagement with the faith.

Despite the presence of superficial faith, the church has survived and flourished throughout history. This is not because of the faithfulness of any particular group of people, but because of the work of the Holy Spirit. God is the one who preserves and advances His church, not human effort.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" The church has never been perfect, and its members have always been weak and flawed, but God works through these weaknesses to accomplish His purposes. The Holy Spirit moves in every time and season to continue the work of the Gospel, even in moments of decline or difficulty.

The church has often thrived in times of weakness and suffering. During periods of persecution, the church was purified, and believers were forced to rely fully on God's grace. Even in times of corruption or difficulty, the Holy Spirit has always raised up faithful leaders and renewed the hearts of the people. This is the beauty of God’s plan—He works in and through our weaknesses, showing His power despite our failures.

Looking ahead, we can avoid romanticizing past eras or despairing over the state of the church today. There will always be a mixture of deep faith and superficial attendance. However, we can be confident that the church’s future is not dependent on our perfection, but on the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who continues to move the church forward, using us in spite of our flaws and weaknesses.

In every season, God’s grace sustains and strengthens the church. Even when attendance is shallow or understanding is limited, God is at work through His Word, advancing His kingdom. As the church, we remain faithful to the Word of God, trusting that God is using us—even when we are weak—to accomplish His purposes.