Watch and warn
In ancient Israel, watchmen were posted in towers on the walls of the city. The watchman reported what he saw from his special vantage point - the approach of a messenger, the progress of a battle, the advance of an enemy.
The Lord appointed his prophets as spiritual watchmen in Israel. Today, pastors and elders fulfil a similar role in the life of the church. I want to point to three trends which I believe threaten the health and vitality of Christianity and Christ's church.