"Hi! Welcome to J.C. McFeelgood's Funtime Faith & Food! I'm Seth, and I'll be your Minister of Fun tonight. A round of Blood of Christ Coolers and CommunionChips to start you folks out?"
Posted on 01/05/2009 12:39:29 PM PST by Between the Lines
“But not by making it palatable and inoffensive. When the public face of the church changes to reflect the world, that church has it bass-ackwards.”
Exactly. Thank you.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Oh yes, there will be those who saw the light, hated it because their deeds were evil, but will praise our Father in Heaven, and say “Amen” to their own destruction, and then get tossed into the Lake of Fire.
Changing the name of a church isn’t a big deal, particualrly if it eliminates confusion.
I once saw an inner city church named St. Augustine Baptist Church. Really.
"Hi! Welcome to J.C. McFeelgood's Funtime Faith & Food! I'm Seth, and I'll be your Minister of Fun tonight. A round of Blood of Christ Coolers and CommunionChips to start you folks out?"
Name is Manning’s Second Baptist Church.
Right on! So many churches are nothing more than country clubs. I'm not one of those who believe that contemporary Christian music is sinful, but I personally like to worship the old-fashioned way, singing from the hymnal (what could beat "The Old Rugged Cross?), and hearing the preacher preach the Word of God, not the latest fashion. A couple of years ago, at a church business meeting, another member suggested to do the "40 days of purpose". I stood up, pointed out some doctrinal errors in the book, and told everybody that the book was based on a very bad paraphrase of the Bible (The Message). I bought a copy of the Message and gave it to my pastor. There has never been any more talking about 40 days in our church. Our pastor preaches Christ, and Him crucified. We leave the entertainment for other local churches. True, to the world they seem more successful, they have many more members, but it is not the roster of church members that matters but how many people are brought to Christ. And, in this category, Second Baptist stands second to no one.
God’s church is the body of believers wherever they are. For over 2000 years we have divided ourselves over what goes on in a building on Sunday morning. That is not how God defines worship. Worship is what we should be doing every day of the week by serving others sacrificially. Look in Isaiah 58 and Romans 12 for a couple of examples of God-pleasing worship.
Then how do you explain Jeremiah Wright and Rick Warren? It's a business everywhere.
Well its kinda hard to save people if you can’t get em in the door.
‘But not by making it palatable and inoffensive. When the public face of the church changes to reflect the world, that church has it bass-ackwards.”
The name of the church matters little. Its whether they teach the Bible and that Jesus is our savior.
“We leave the entertainment for other local churches.”
Thats why church membership has steadily dropped. But heh, thats why God gave us other Church’s.
“The Church was never instructed to attract the world.”
Correct, just all the lost sheep in the world.
“I think they’re mostly non-denominational churches fighting for market share in soul saving. “
nope, there is plenty of market out there. the vast majority of the population is unchurched.
Because its fun to poke fun at the south.
In this specific situation, you may have a point. However, when churches specifically choose things like “Family”, “Life”, “Celebration”, “Worship Center” and the like, IMHO all they’re doing is trying to cater to the world and make Christianity inoffensive. And, at its best, it’s just not inoffensive. Friends of mine here in San Antonio proudly proclaimed that their church doesn’t recognize visitors because it might make them feel awkward. I don’t even know how to respond to that sort of logic. What happened to welcoming people into fellowship?
We did the 40 days deal several years ago when it first came out. I hadn’t heard of it, and dutifully did the small group thing. I ended it completely unimpressed - it was world-focused, nondescript, non-Christ proclaiming pablum. But I don’t have a strong opinion about it.
We are in violent agreement. My point is that changing what you show to the public to get them in the door is putting the needs of man over the proclamation of Scripture.
“My point is that changing what you show to the public to get them in the door is putting the needs of man over the proclamation of Scripture.”
Not sure if I understand you. Are you saying that if Church isn’t the same as its always been then its wrong?
Cause thats not right. Jesus said we should go out into the world, leave the 99 that are saved to reach the one lost.
Just because something is fun does not mean its of the devil.
‘IMHO all they’re doing is trying to cater to the world and make Christianity inoffensive.”
No its because many people won’t set foot inside a ‘baptist’ church or other mainstream denomination. mostly because they have hardened their heart based on some past experience.
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