Lately, I have been listen to Paul Edwards on AM1500 from 4 to 6 PM, he has been discussing a lot about being seeker sensitive and being culturally relevant in the church. This is a topic that I have been interested in for quite some time. Are we called as Christians to conform to the culture or are we set apart from the culture? The MegaChurch movement has created a culture in the church where it seems that if church leaders are not growing their churches then they are failing. In fact, I think that is even stated in Rick Warren's book the Purpose Driven Church. As a result, we have seen an influx of gimmicky Christianity. The message in the pulpit has been fluffed up so that any person that walks in the door will feel comfortable and want to return. We dare not talk about being sinners in need of a saviour, we dare not talk about changing a persons sinful state by the power of Jesus Christ. I look at it as many church leaders that have adopted this method have basically told the Lord to step aside, that they prefer to use man's methods to draw man. Instead of allowing God to do it by the power of His Word and the convicting of His Holy Spirit.
I know of some people personally that left their church of several years after the pastor adopted this method and shortly after started a series of sermons on Disney movies. In this vein there are churches that play secular music in their worship service, and playing secular movies as sermon props. Am I one to forbid secular movies or music? no, but we need to be very wise what we take in to our eyes and ears, especially in an environment that is to exalt God.
On Tuesday, Paul Edwards was discussing this article about a church in a bar. In the article it states a quote from Mark Driscoll from his book Radical Reformission where he states "that abstinence from alcohol is a sin". Are you kidding me? I will never be one to tell someone that a beer or a glass of wine is wrong. However, in our culture, in most cases, alcohol is a means to a end. The abuse of alcohol in our culture has done more harm than good. Therefore, we as Christians need to be very cautious when it comes to consuming it and conforming to what the world says is good. This goes 10 fold for our leadership. Let's all be careful not to take this message of being "culturally relevant" too far. My co-workers know me as a christian, they know that I don't prefer to go to the bar because I prefer having a clear head. They do not consider me weird(at least, I think), they know that I will not compromise. They also know who to talk to when they want an honest, thoughtful answer that will not compromise the truth. If I were to conform to what they do or their friends do I am not sure if they would hold that opinion.
Finally, We need to understand the world around us, I am trying to do so because I have little ones that are growing up faster than I prefer. In doing so, we should be able to modify methods without compromising the message. Remember, The Lord said that the world would hate us for his namesake, if the world likes our watered down message, are we sending the right message?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Driscoll was misquoted. He was speaking about his own reasons for not drinking being sinful, not not drinking in general. :)
Yeah, I have to admit, I did not read it in its entire context. I guess I made a judgement before I understood fully what he was talking about. I contradicted what I wrote about in my most recent post. LOL I do think that the rest of my comments still stand regardless of taking that comment out of context.
I appreciate your comments, I want to be correct in understanding a topic.
Post a Comment