Posted on 04/16/2009 3:27:40 AM PDT by Gamecock
This refers to the method of conducting a Sunday morning church service where all the events surrounding the service are tailored with the unchurched in mind. The goal of this model is to attempt to make the “seeker” feel comfortable by making the service understandable and enjoyable. In this sense, the church is attempting to build a bridge with the unbeliever with the ultimate goal that they will hear the Gospel and be saved. The preaching model in the seeker churches follows suit.
Every sermon is simply another way to present the Gospel. Deeper learning, fellowship, and discipleship are encouraged but are not normally part of the Sunday service. They are commonly found in mid-week small groups and studies. Opponents of the seeker model will argue that the Sunday service is not meant to be for the unbelievers, but for believers. There is a wide range within the spectrum of how seeker-sensitive a church might be. One end might be thought of as “seeker-friendly” and the other “seeker-driven.” Rick Warren and Bill Hybels are often thought of as the modern day “fathers” of this model. It is primarily found in evangelical churches.
(also: “seeker-friendly,” “seeker churches,” and “seeker-driven”)
The Gospel isn't supposed to make you feel comfortable. It's supposed to make you understand that you are in dire need of a Savior...
The church service is where the corporate body of BELIEVERS gather and worship God together. The primary event of the corporate worship is the reading and exposition of the Word of God. I see that it is to be a regular, routine occurrence and is different that individual devotions and group Bible studies.
As I read the New Testament, I see that most, if not all, of the conversions take place on the street or in a secular setting, and were either mass conversions or separate individual conversions.
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Hi Gamey. It’s been a while.
I should’ve more actively friendly seekered you. :>)
Church is the goal of evangelism, not the place for it.
“Religion” has been a struggle for me for many years. “Churchianity” has been a part of that struggle. - I tend to agree with you about the purpose of church, and I’ve made some peace after all this time that everyone isn’t going to be pleased with any church situation 100% of the time. So, right now, I’m just doing the best I can on that front. In the struggle, I’ve gotten into some real messes over the years. Part of that has been due to acting on initial impressions of churches and preachers and finding out the hard way that first impressions aren’t always a good indicator of the reality.
I don’t have the problem so many of you seem to have about the Willow Creek model.
It’s important to me that sooner or later in some context in every congregation that the unvarnished Gospel gets preached and woven into the fabric of every individual’s heart, mind, spirit, life.
I believe that in the better ones, that happens.
In others, it probably doesn’t.
I believe excesses and craziness occurs in EVERY congregation OF EVERY STRIPE AND LABEL. And that folks quick to point fingers and throw rocks are Biblically clueless about the judgment they are incurring.
I think small group stuff where some mutual Biblical accountability truly happens is essential to lasting, thorough spiritual growth regardless of the label. I suspect that the Willow Creek type churches are as a group probably MUCH BETTER AT THAT than most other models in most denominations.
BTW, you might . . . find this thread . . . soberingly sad . . . for various reasons:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2230026/posts
Nice to see some realistic practical and spiritual wisdom on such a thread.
Tends to be a rarity.
Thanks.
you might want to join a liturgically oriented church, where the worship/communion service is more important than the personality of the preacher.
If you hate Catholics, try Anglican or Orthodox churches...some Lutheran churches too.
That doesn't leave much.
Although I am for any sort of outreach that will bring seekers to the cross, I, too, am a little concerned about the sudden PC "accept whatever belief they bring with them" approach. I have a member in my church that doesn't believe in the resurrection. I would think that would be rather basic for a Christian church.
I recently challenged a global church leader on this new approach and mentioned that Islam, Mormon and Catholic were the religions if not growing, certainly not shrinking at the rate some protestant churches are shrinking, and they haven't stepped back from their doctorine one inch. He told me, "that simply isn't true". I think it so is true.
Amen!!!We know we are to be without offense, but we also know we are: “Salt and Light” Salt can sting, and light can expose!
“........knowing that the goodness of Gof leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4c)
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:14-16).
“To be wise unto salvation”.....is to know you need to be saved,....... and know that requires a saviour.
Yes! Very Good! We, in obedience to our Lord, must give out the Gospel, on the streets, on our jobs, and in our homes!
We know the gospel is the power of God unto salvation!
(Romans 1:16)
And the Lord “added to the church daily such as would be saved.”
(Acts 2:47c)
Until conservatives wake up and realize our main message is little more than preaching to the choir, our numbers will continue to dwindle.
I don’t hate Catholics. Husband’s brother & family are Catholics and the situation with them seems to appear to be more of a hatred of ME than the other way around.
I tried the Orthodox situation a few years ago; in fact, about the only real friendliness there seemed to me to come from the pastor. I spent a few years there until I got so old and decrepit I couldn’t stand for the long services they had (what few seats that were provided were quickly taken and kept throughout the services; plus, endurance was a virtue I suppose). Every time the bishop came to visit, more changes were initiated and more chairs were taken out and the services and music got more and more Greek, and the congregation wasn’t Greek but most had made extreme changes to become Orthodox in the first place. First impressions were of a beautiful order of service that just changed over time.
I’ve had to resort to going closer to home these days as driving forty and fifty miles round trip to and from a church isn’t feasible for me any more.
I think Vineyard churches are more consistently more
New Testament Biblical
and
more loving and balanced than most Evangelical or Pentecostal/charismatic churches.
Calvary Chapels are great on teaching but can be a big stiff and regimented for my taste.
Some Four Square are wonderful, healthy and balanced and some are a mess. Ditto Assembly of God.
Seeker sensitive politicking is fine. That has nothing to do with the responsibility of churches, though.
As I consider the assembly of believers locally, I believe that Sunday Worship should be God-centered not people centered. I fear that seeker-friendly services are more man centered.
I also believe that those who are not born again should be ‘uncomfortable’ when we who are born again gather to Worship God.
May our love, humility, reverence and worship be salt and light to the lost. May we present the truths of God, as revealed in the Bible, with meekness. With an inner strength that will not compromise what God has said.
Methods! Yikes! IMO: what people are seeking if they are there is the REAL JESUS! All the methodology in the world means nothing if the living Savior is not lifted up and the Holy Spirit is not free to reveal Christ as Savior. You can put on a pretty good, entertaining show, but in the end will that kind of “church” help people live in the here and now with heaven in mind?
I call this seeker sensitive stuff “entertainment gospel”. When people get desperate they want the real thing-nothing else will ultimately satisfy. The cross is not entertainment.
America and the world are hungry for a real touch from the Savior that lasts a lifetime. Does anything else really matter in the end?
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