Graduating from Sylacauga High School in the Class of 1966 led him to a career in the U.S. Army. He then worked with the VA for another 23 years. Mike Ray, 76, is a veteran’s veteran.
But his career after the military may be his most difference-making. The Childersburg resident became a preacher in Alabama and Mississippi and sometimes a missionary to Samoa, Fiji and Panama.
Now, Mike Ray has written a legacy for the ages. His book, "Christ Without a Bride," is a must-read for Christians concerned about the present-day church.
Some churches are dwindling in membership and outreach. They appear to lack the presence of the Spirit of God, and some Christians comment that their church is not what it used to be.
Have we reached the point where many churches are like the early church at Laodecia?
The Biblical book of Revelation 3:14-16:
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God ’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Spew the church out of God’s mouth because it is lukewarm! What a metaphor that is as understandable today as it was in the first century.
Of course, the “bride” is the Christian church. Jesus Christ is the bridegroom and is “married” to the church — an intimate relationship.
The book’s title, "Christ Without a Bride," is startling. It implies that the church may soon die or languish, and it is obviously languishing right now.
If you are concerned that your individual church congregation is languishing, better read this book.
If you are concerned that the church as a whole is not filled with the Holy Spirit and not carrying on the outreach of the Great Commission, better read this book.
The theme of the book is expressed in the Author’s Preface:
(Christ) set up the church so that the kingdom on earth would be like the kingdom of heaven. That kingdom, His kingdom, is the church. It is not perfect yet, but it will be when He returns.
The theme of Mike Ray’s book is incorporated into the Lord’s Prayer:
“… Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
The 118-page book is available here.
The book also serves as a study course, with questions after each of the 13 chapters.
“God did not call us to go to church. He called us to BE the church.” - Mike Ray
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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