The State of The City
It’s been a little over a year since our family moved back to Manhattan to plant Grace Bible Church NYC, and I’ve wanted to take some time to reflect on the state of gospel ministry in the Big Apple.
The State of the City
When the desire to move back to NYC started to form over five years ago, I began trying to get my arms around the church landscape in my home city. During those years, from our outside perspective of Jacksonville FL, the picture was sadly not an encouraging one. For a city with a population of almost 2 million (that’s Manhattan alone), healthy churches seemed essentially nonexistent. Although there were glimmers of light over those years, many faded one after the other. Churches were shutting down, doubling down on false doctrine, and committing to unbiblical philosophies of ministry. Now after a year here, I fear that this is still the predominant picture of churches in Manhattan.
With that being the case, I am also grateful for the friendships I have been able to build with fellow Manhattan pastors like Harry Fujiwara (First Baptist Church NY) and Keith Paulus (Christ Church NYC). These men (as well as a handful of others I am having the joy of actively getting to know better) are proving to be faithful shepherds of the Lord’s flock, and it shows in both their teaching and their character. I encourage you to pray for these men and their ministries. As fellow men who serve here in the city amid many agendas, politics, and worldliness, these men are keeping their nose to the grindstone of ministry but would not be known otherwise. I am grateful for the example these men are to me of being undistracted shepherds. I look forward to meeting more men like this over the years. I am also very grateful for the group of almost 30 faithful pastors who I get to fellowship with occasionally at a pastors fellowship in Queens. It’s a reminder that there are many brothers serving in ministry in the surrounding areas who are committed to caring for God’s people.
As many of you are aware, New York City, like any other major city, has also been hit hard with ministries that have caused more damage than good. There has sadly been a constant thread of unbiblical preaching, immature leadership, false doctrine, and inconsistent philosophies of ministry. This includes the prosperity gospel that elevates blessings on earth over eternal life and forgiveness of sin. This includes mega churches that are fueled by tallying up professions of faith that are bearing no fruit of conversion. It includes the social gospel which uses the gospel as a means to the end of “cultural change.” It includes a political gospel marred by either Christian nationalism or liberal Marxism. I am reminded often of the phrase “a mist in the pulpit is a fog in the pew.” Maybe we can take that a step further: “A fog in the pew is a smog in the city” (I can see how that isn’t as catchy…). All of the above errors share the same problem: The pulpit is used as a platform to preach Christ plus something else. So as the pulpit pushes its agenda, the pews soak it in, and the city reaps the consequences.
Over the course of this past year one thing has been certain: planting a church is nothing short of the Lord’s work. Our goal has been to stay committed to the biblical model of a healthy church, (the very things we saw modeled for us in Grace Community Church in Jacksonville) and apply those same convictions and commitments to the work here. God has proven faithful to build His church without the need for gimmicks, marketing schemes, or other worldly approaches to starting a church.
My heart is filled with love and thankfulness to the Lord for the men and women of our church, yet there are so many ways we long for the Lord to grow us in godliness (in both doctrine and character). Battles of the heart in our homes, workplaces, and communities are ever present. Our prayer is that we would rest on the solid ground of Scripture in all circumstances. God has given His people truth. The same truth that is available to all who would take up and read. The same truth that the indwelling Spirit of Christ within the believer brings to bear on the heart. The same truth that has been breathed out by God, promising to make us complete and renew our minds. And it is in that truth we rest.
Our Simple Mission
I’m often asked how New York City has changed since I left back in 2003. I’ve thought much about this question and although it is different in some ways, in many ways it feels the same. Yes, the Covid pandemic and shutdowns have left many vacant retail spaces, and many new buildings pierce the city skyline, but the city is the city. In fact, in the context of ministry and people, I don’t believe it is any different than anywhere else. Yeah, New Yorkers are tough. Yes, many are apathetic and indifferent to others, which is a byproduct of living in such a densely populated city. But people are people. Some are genuine, and some are not. Some are kind and concerned for others, while others are rude and self-focused. This realization has been helpful to me as I minister here. Why? Because it reminds me that we all have the same problem: sin. And all people have the same need: the gospel.
Not only that, but all whose faith is in Christ for their salvation also have the same need: healthy churches where they can come together and worship God according to His word, be fed the truth, and be spurred on by other believers to become better disciples of Jesus. All Christians need the body of Christ. The Christian is to be evangelizing the lost while at the same time growing alongside others in Christlikeness. That’s the simple mission. This mission is for us all, no matter where we live: Strive to live righteously, share the gospel, and make disciples of Jesus.
So, I ask that you pray for gospel ministry in New York City and I hope that this helps to inform your prayers. I hope, pray, and trust that the work of the Lord would continue to shine brighter and brighter, fulfilling His purpose in the hearts of man.
In Christ,
Joey.