FOTF: Outreach Efforts 'Use The Force' to Spread the Gospel

Focus On The Family ^ | May 17, 2005 | Steve Jordahl

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

May 17, 2005

Outreach Efforts 'Use The Force' to Spread the Gospel
by Steve Jordahl, correspondent

Some see "Star Wars" as an opportunity to turn people from the dark side.

A congregation in Troy, Mich. will be meeting in a movie theater this weekend to cash in on the expected crush of people going to the new "Star Wars" film.

Pastor Tim Kade of Epic Church has built a whole series around the space flick.

"When we looked at the movies," he explained, "there's a connection between what happens in the movies and what happens in the Bible."

Kade will relate the rebel army in "Star Wars" to the disciples in the Book of Acts.

H.B. London, Focus on the Family's vice president of Ministry Outreach, said it's just one more method a church can use to reach the un-churched.

"I think the old scripture that says 'by all means win some' is a very important passage of scripture," he said, citing I Cor. 9:22, "and I ascribe to it."

London said he's worried some churches are more concerned with numbers than the Gospel.

"I think the churches, if they would really admit it, are trying to reach the 18 to 49-year-olds—they're trying to reach the same demographic the television and movie industry is trying to reach."

Jim Mellado, president of the Willow Creek Association, said not all modern churches hold fast to the tenets of the faith, but those that do often see phenomenal results.

"These are churches that have more than doubled in the last decade," he said, "and they have four times the average attendance of the average church—they have eight times the conversions."

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[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

What does everyone think of this? Do you think I Cor. 9:22 is taken out of context, or is this a proper application? What about "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If a man loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the boastful pride of life, these are not from the Father, but from the World...."

If you like it, where do you draw the line? Is it good to use these things in a church service? What about the holiness of God? Is that an issue here?

[Keyes2000mt]

I view it as a Mars Hill thing. Just like Paul pointing to the place designated for "The Unknown God" to begin his discourse.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Interesting. I keep hearing the same example, but it just doesn't work for me. I think churches are carrying it way too far. To me, it is like Republicans who keep trying to act like big government Democrats in an effort to win votes -- usually from specific minority groups. But people who want big gov't will vote Democrat. In the same way, people who can't make it through a Sunday morning without a movie clip will love the world, not God. They have a right to make that choice. I don't think making the church more worldly helps.

Now, if you are talking about a setting outside the church, I would feel less offended, but still....Jesus came in a very humble way into the world. He wasn't flashy, wasn't worldly. He was humble. He brought a simple message of truth and forgiveness. I think we should do the same.

Thanks for answering me though. There are many good people who agree with you.

[k2blader]

Well, not sure about Episode III because I haven't seen it yet. But I think "Kingdom of Heaven" had some excellent Christian themes in it that could be used to "reach" people in certain ways. :-)

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

hmmm....lol! Maybe the Muslims could do some outreach with that one.

When Hollywood is the new preacher of the gospel, I cringe at just what kind of church we are going to have down the road.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

How about this?

[TommyDale]

It might "reach" people, but the message usually ends there because no one teaches the Word any more. The Gospel has been reduced to a Hollywood theme...more "Purpose Drivel".

[Jaysun]

I'm a bit confused as to what they're going to do. Are they simply going to watch the movie as a church? Are they going to try to evangelize those standing in line? If they plan to evangelize I'd say they're going about it the wrong way. The bottom line is, and I think this is what I Corinthians 9:22 says, that you have to be relevant. Walking up to someone who has no choice but to be there (in line for example) would be seen as intrusive by most, and again, you wouldn't be making yourself relevant.

We can be relevant by filling needs, being kind, being helpful, and things like that. The time to evangelize is when someone voluntarily responds to something they find relevant.

Intruding on someone's time or space is ineffective and counterintuitive to the cause.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

We can be relevant by filling needs, being kind, being helpful, and things like that. The time to evangelize is when someone voluntarily responds to something they find relevant.

Exactly! Well said.

You know, I wonder who would reach more people for Christ, a man who spent 2 hours in a movie and 2 minutes explaining how Christ is relevant to the movie, or a man who spent two hours in scripture and prayer, then 2 minutes tying it to something relevant. I am beginning to think these "outreach" efforts are more about what we love than what the unsaved love. When we in the church start really loving God with our time...with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength, then we will start reaching the world again. Now, it is they who reaching us.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I watched a Billy Graham crusade on television the other night. He managed to reach a bunch of people with nothing more than the truth of the gospel. And music to my ears, he spoke clearly about repentance. I bet the man prays a lot.

Of course he uses the television medium, but that's not what I'm complaining about.

He spoke of a really long revival he had in NY years ago. It was something like 35 weeks long and over 50k people accepted Christ. My numbers may not be exactly right, but something like that. In the case of the gospel, I think the heart of the messenger matters more than the flashiness of the presentation.

[Jaysun]

Well thanks. Although I don't have any hard numbers, I think our emphasis on being relevant to create evangelism opportunities has paid off. For example: we've gone to Mexico to build homes and churches, we started a soccer league for the local yokels, we support a group of Christians living in Cuba (they've been there for 8 years, waiting for Castro to die) - but in whatever case we don't waste our time doing things that aren't relevant to the people we're reaching out to. I think if everyone did that we'd have a lot more pages filled in the Lamb's Book of Life.

[HarleyD]

I posted something on people trying to derive Christian applications from the Andy Griffin Show even though the show was written by non-Christians. This is the same thing. Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God. It doesn't come from the spiritual applications of Star Wars or Andy of Mayberry.

What this says to me is that our spiritual leaders and Christians in general are losing faith in the transforming power of the scriptures. One has to wonder how much faith people really have when they feel they need to suppliment the gospel with Star Wars.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I posted something on people trying to derive Christian applications from the Andy Griffin Show even though the show was written by non-Christians. This is the same thing. Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God. It doesn't come from the spiritual applications of Star Wars or Andy of Mayberry.

What this says to me is that our spiritual leaders and Christians in general are losing faith in the transforming power of the scriptures. One has to wonder how much faith people really have when they feel they need to suppliment the gospel with Star Wars.

That's it exactly.

[TommyDale]

This entire "Hollywoodization" of the church is another of the tactics used by the 'church growth movement' that has attempted to overtake the legitimate church. By giving little "life lessons" through storytelling, rather than preach the whole Gospel, they are taking a cotton candy approach. Sin is no longer anything to worry about. If you feel good, you are saved...Rubbish!

[gamarob1]

What this says to me is that our spiritual leaders and Christians in general are losing faith in the transforming power of the scriptures. One has to wonder how much faith people really have when they feel they need to suppliment the gospel with Star Wars

I agree that the Gospel message stands alone, and only the Gospel message saves, but what's wrong with using an "in" to get a certain audience? Jesus did the same, you know the stories, with each person he minstered to, there was a different "in".

I STRONGLY believe the Lord uses the person that preaches the Gospel and nothing else. I also believe the Lord uses the person that uses these "in's" to get a conversation started with a certain aspect of society. I like the first way better (gospel only) because it's easier for me, but for others, the other way is better. God uses both.

[gamarob1]

By giving little "life lessons" through storytelling, rather than preach the whole Gospel, they are taking a cotton candy approach. Sin is no longer anything to worry about. If you feel good, you are saved...Rubbish!

But my friend, Jesus told lots of stories! And for those more obsessed with sin than the Solution to sin, how do you know who is or isn't saved, ultimately? I think too many in the church today are critical of everything and everyone, without realizing that God is using it all to populate heaven.

[Salvation]

Did you see this evaluation of the latest Star Wars:

MOVIEGUIDE(R) Reviews: REVENGE OF THE SITH

On Thursday, the final installment of the most famous movie series of all-time storms into your local cineplex. STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH is all over television and magazines, but only MOVIEGUIDE(R) is lifting up Darth Vader's mask to see what meaning lies underneath this exciting, epic spectacle.

MOVIEGUIDE(R) sees some problems in the STAR WARS philosophy, however. Lucas understands the insidious nature of evil, but here he places it in a strong New Age pagan context. Throughout the entire STAR WARS saga, Obi-Wan and Yoda warn Anakin and Luke Skywalker to stay away from the dark side of the force, but in this final installment, Obi-Wan says that only evil people believe in absolute -- or black and white -- truths. This statement contradicts the movie's own characters, as well as what God teaches us. Thus, the new STAR WARS movie presents a confused worldview that ultimately undermines the story's moral, redemptive power."

As a tragic drama and as an exciting, epic spectacle, REVENGE OF THE SITH succeeds brilliantly... As an expression of ultimate truth, however, its success is mixed. On the positive side, there are no sex scenes, obscenities or profanities in the movie.

"Parents and teachers need to apply plenty of media wisdom if they allow their children and students to be touched by the pagan worldview in the STAR WARS saga." Media wisdom involves paying careful attention to what you're watching and dissecting its messages.

For the complete review of REVENGE OF THE SITH, and other current movies, visit www.movieguide.org.

When you need help figuring out what a movie is saying, look to the most trusted source of Christian movie analysis, MOVIEGUIDE(R).

Christian Film & Television Commission^TM
2510-G Las Posas Road #502
Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone: 805-383-2000
Fax: 805-383-4089
www.movieguide.org

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

That's a good analysis. I'll have to check out that site. As entertainment, I think the movie is fine. As a gospel message, I think it's crap. We look ridiculous when we try to make things like this have a "higher" meaning. I think "The Gospel Reloaded" was especially ridiculous. Offensive even.

[Salvation]

**Throughout the entire STAR WARS saga, Obi-Wan and Yoda warn Anakin and Luke Skywalker to stay away from the dark side of the force, but in this final installment, Obi-Wan says that only evil people believe in absolute -- or black and white -- truths. This statement contradicts the movie's own characters, as well as what God teaches us. Thus, the new STAR WARS movie presents a confused worldview that ultimately undermines the story's moral, redemptive power."**

It seems to me that the "good" message of the previous STAR WARS episodes gets flushed and replaced by this optional NewAge view of what evil and good people believe.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Jesus told stories, but not stories that doubled as advertisements for the local pagan theater. In His stories He spoke very gravely about the consequences of sin.

I do not know how you can get to the solution for sin without first acknowledging sin.

As for "how do you know who is saved," Jesus said the one who obeys the will of His Father is the one who knows Him.

A generic "you are critical of everything" is a fancy way of not addressing specific issues.

God is holy, and His heaven will be a holy place. God hates sin. If we love God, we will hate sin too. This is one of those either/or things. "If a man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."