Without God’s Standards Christians (Saints) Are Drowning In The Pews

Written by the pastor of a conservative midwestern Christian church, this book contrasts the intentions vs. the effects of Christian denominations as they embrace more and more aspects of popular culture. In becoming community followers rather than community leaders, the author highlights how Christianity is helping to distance parishioners from God and His standards, rather than performing its evangelistic function and mission.

“If we seek the Lord, and trust and obey HIM in our times of trouble, God will exercise HIS authority over the enemy of our spirit, soul and body. When Leaders choose to drop, compromise, and criticize God’s standard(s), they not only discredit God, they exalt themselves as the new gods. When churches and its leaders delete standards, they’re totally dismissing the Spirit, for it is the Spirit of the Lord, which elevates His standard His word in His people’s obedient hearts of love to Protect, Bless and Perfect them.” One of the goals held by many Christian pastors is to grow his or her congregation. Inspired by pastors such as Joel Osteen, Rick Warren and other mega-church heads, the pastors of smaller congregations prioritize church growth and size over evangelism and effectiveness. The result? Churches that now reinterpret, rewrite and reshape Christian doctrine and God's holy word to accommodate aspects of popular culture. In an effort to increase attendance, many congregations now use the word "inclusiveness" to permit and overlook overtly sinful behavior and attitudes. From casual or overtly provocative attire to ongoing behavior that flies directly in the face of Judeo-Christian ethics and morality, the Church has fallen into the trap of "nonjudgmentalism," hamstrung by the belief that because Jesus preached to sinners, the Church must condone sin. Without God's Standards, Christians (Saints) Are Drowning In The Pews displays the results of this new set of priorities - cultural decay, chaos and confusion, even among those who have been faithful. The book seeks to refocus attention on the Church's primary objective - that of evangelism, moral education and saving souls - even if it means some congregants won't feel "comfortable." Ultimately, the elevation of morality to a place above pop culture will restore a sense of peace and attitude of respect to all people, even those who reject the message from the pulpit.

Bishop Dr. James E. Daughtry, II, Th. D has pastored New Testament A.C. Fellowship in Kokomo, Indiana for 22 years. A former law enforcement officer, Pastor Daughtry has written and spoken extensively on the evidence and impact of cultural decay on society in general. His most recent book, “Without God’s Standards Christians (Saints) Are Drowning In The Pews” addresses the diminishing leadership many Christian churches show as they embrace aspects of popular culture in an effort to grow their congregations. From its tolerance of revealing, provocative clothing, body art such as tattoos or multiple piercings and other irreverent forms of personal expression to the acceptance of same-sex marriage, abortion and recreational substance use, the Church has traded sound doctrine for idolatrous worship at the altar of pop culture. Instead of bringing about a secular utopia, the result has been chaos, confusion, division and violence. Although the book has a Christian perspective, Pastor Daughtry believes persons of all denominations and faiths (even those who define themselves as atheist) can find benefit from discovering – or rediscovering – the values and standards that had once been commonly held throughout American society. He concludes that the Church and its leadership has both a responsibility and an obligation to initiate teaching traditional Judeo-Christian values and standards, and provide guidance and direction to believers on how to successfully integrate these standards into everyday life.