The Underground Church in Training

We are, indeed, living in strange times. It isn't easy to know what is actually happening, not only in our country but the whole world. Data supports whatever view you can imagine, and each position is convinced that they are right. The very fact of this widespread confusion is indicative that something serious is happening, and it isn't good. 

Reading the Times

The question that Christians must ask themselves is what is our response in this time of confusion. Jesus Christ was clear that as Christians, we are to "understand the weather" in Luke 12:54-56, ESV:

Then Jesus said to the people, "When you see clouds growing bigger in the west, you say, 'A rainstorm is coming.' And soon it begins to rain. When you feel the wind begin to blow from the south, you say, 'It will be a hot day.' And you are right. You hypocrites! You can understand the weather. Why don't you understand what is happening now?

I get that He was talking to a particular people at a particular time for a particular reason. However, this doesn't diminish the principle that He was trying to communicate to His disciples, which is, I think, to read the signs of what is happening, so you don't fail to prepare appropriately.

Do we prepare for the best-case scenario or the worst? 

Under ideal circumstances, there is no need to prepare for the best. Why would we if all is well, and there's no reason to worry? However, preparing for the worst-case scenario can drive people to extremes and push the panic button when there is no reason to.

The question I am trying to discern is whether God is calling me, and perhaps others, to prepare for the possible cultural storms by forming an underground church in training here in Connecticut and possibly empowering others to do the same in their own State.

Why specify it as an underground church in training? 

The reason is that things are not so bad that the underground church must begin immediately. We still have the freedom to worship, Christians are not being rounded up for internment camps, and only relatively mild persecution is happening through vaccine mandates. "In training" means just that. I am trying to discern whether God is calling me to begin training an underground church in preparation for potentially challenging times ahead. 

What does this look like?

I am still trying to figure this question out. At this moment, it looks like gathering with a community of Christians to worship Christ and begin to prepare an underground church here in Connecticut if and when it becomes necessary. The worst that can happen is that I look foolish for doing something that seems a bit odd. I don't mind that, since my critics already think I'm strange.

Back to the question of what an underground church in training looks like. 

First, I think it looks like a real Biblical church with all the New Testament marks of a church. An underground church in training would be different from your typical garden variety 501(c)3 corporation church in many ways. By "marks," I do not see an anarchical or leaderless church in the New Testament. There are pastors/elders, as well as deacons. There is baptism and communion and even church discipline (1 Corinthians 5, for example). There is worship, praise, love, community, and fellowship. There is care for one another and a spirit of "making disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19+20). And most of all, there is an unshakable faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Second, typically, an underground church needs to adapt to meet in all kinds of different places and circumstances. We wouldn't have a building. If we were to do an underground church in training, I would purposely have worship in many different places and circumstances. Perhaps we would prepare by learning how to worship in say, someone's home one week and the next, in the forest, regardless of the weather. 

The example of the underground church throughout history and even today is the ability to adapt to whatever circumstances it finds itself. The very name "underground" is literal. Christians under the persecution of Nero and other Caesars often met in the catacombs under the city of Rome. Underground churches today meet in adverse situations in various parts of the world in defiance of their ungodly and oppressive government.

Third, there is the training of godly leadership. I remember reading Richard Wurmbrand's comments about the Romanian underground church in his book Tortured for Christ. While he was in prison, various members continued the church's work, including his wife, Sabrina. While I lean toward the belief that the Bible teaches male leadership in the church, I cannot deny that God has used women in church leadership if and when the circumstances warrant it. This means all members would need the training to be prepared to lead if need be.

Richard and Sabrina Wumbrand before their persecution

Fourth, this also means each member would need to take ownership of their own personal spiritual development. This may mean memorizing Scripture, engaging in studying sound theology and the Bible, and so on.

Fifth, it means we would need to take prayer much more seriously than we do now. Even a cursory glance at the underground church shows a deep and abiding commitment to prayer. This is both practical and theological. It is practical because desperate people take prayer much more seriously than comfortable ones. It is theological because the Bible is filled with the command to pray.

Sixth, it means much discussion amongst those who are part of this church. I believe the discernment of the Holy Spirit happens as His people study the Bible and discuss to discern the will of God. Acts 15 is an excellent example of this. 

Seventh, an underground church in training means a confidential membership. In times of extreme persecution, Christians were tortured and often killed to reveal other church members. Again, I encourage my readers to read Tortured for Christ to see how this happened in Romania under the Communist rule of the Soviet Union. I do not mind being the "face" of an underground church in training. Somebody has to, and since I am trying to discern whether this is the call of God, it might as well be me. Plus, if the government is keeping a “list” of Christians, I suspect I’m already on it. But I’m open to partnering with others in the developmental stage.

Eighth, an underground church is intentional in its commitment to infiltrate godless institutions to protect and warn other church members. Wurmbrand tells of people who remained in high places in the Communist government to gain information on what would come down. Their sacrifice of anonymity saved the lives of countless people.

Finally, an underground church in training prepares people for the possibility that they might be imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for their faith. This is a challenging and sad reality of being Christian under oppressive and abusive governments, but to ignore this is to deny the Bible itself from cover to cover. It also would ignore and discredit the testimony of the last 2000+ years of Christian witness. May we never forget that the Greek word for "witness" is transliterated into English as "martyr." 

Conclusion

I am putting this out there, knowing full well how this whole proposal sounds and, as I wrote, knowing what my critics will think of me. However, I will not answer them on judgment day. I have to give an account to God and Him alone, and He is the only one I fear. 

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

Please understand, I am not appealing to anyone as a beggar with my hat in my hand. If you think my idea is odd or weird, then please stay away. I am not appealing to anyone trying to coax you into being a part of this. I have had it with the typical 501(c)3 corporate institutional "church." I’m sick to death of their marketing manipulations. They can keep their dog, pony shows, chicken dinners, pumpkins sales, rock concerts, inspirational speakers, and "open and affirming" apostate congregations. If things go south, these congregations will prosper and even thrive. 

If anything I wrote has struck a chord in you, connect with me in some way if you are willing to stand against the tide, learn how to be a Christian in an underground church in training, and join with me. You can email me at nhpatterson1962@gmail.com.

As I close, I ask God to show me whether what I am wrestling with is of Him or not. I’m willing to sound or look foolish even in my attempt to discern the will of God for I am not ashamed of the words of Jesus Christ.