Is the church dead?

I think not...

But it's impossible to deny that it, as a brand and a generalised Western institution, is struggling.

But certainly not dead.

Why do I say that?

First, because where God's people are, no matter if it is in a mega-church of 10,000 or a faithful few within the walls of a decaying congregation, the LIVING God is amongst them and at work. We should avoid looking at the church with a "glass half (or more) empty" attitude.

Second, Jesus said that the church would not be overcome.

Third, while the church has been in some hideous situations in the past (some by its own hand and some from exterior persecution), Christ has always kept his promise from Matthew 16.

Finally, while the church may have (and is) struggling in the West, in other parts of the world it is thriving (China and Africa for example).

Sometimes we need to remember that whilst "our patch" needs a lot of work and may look like it's struggling, in other parts the Kingdom of God is expanding powerfully.

We do them, and God, a disservice by saying that the Bride of Christ has no pulse.