5.06.2009
I'll be the first to admit, that a broad cross section of the American Church has in many respects gone to the wayside for the sake of trying too hard to be relevant. Hence the photo of a dude wearing a "Jesus is my Boyfriend" sweatshirt. Awkward on a couple of levels, and just plain dumb if you ask me. Who wears this kind of stuff? Ha. Anyways...
But, I came across a site from a friend's twitter feed that made me think on a number of levels. A Little Leaven: A Museum of Idolatry- it's goal is to bring people back to a more Bible based model of preaching and doing church without all the flash and marketing.
I can admire the tenacity and zeal these individuals have. I commend their ideal for being about God's most precious work: seeking and saving those who are far from God by preaching Christ crucified for our sins and turning to Him to find true life.
So that point is where we agree. I also came a way with a few laughs of some pretty ridiculous posts that showed ways people "sell" Jesus through the market place. But, aside from that, I believe we part ways.
As I watch the ministry of Jesus and the early church, I see the use of culture, illustrations and things happening during that culture to relate back to the story of God, Jesus, and His unfailing love for us. Jesus used numerous parables involving farming, fishing, sheep, money, weddings, etc. to bring people into a better understanding of the gospel message.
Paul used the many gods and the alter to the unknown god to point to following Jesus (Acts 17:16-35). Now I know the counter point of this is (Romans 12:2) we are not to be "of this world." But in full disclosure, I believe that means we live lives of holiness, drawing close to Jesus, and reaching out to others who are far from Him and need to hear "His" message (not ours, just pointing to a watered down version of His).
To reach those who are far from God, I believe it means relationships are the #1 way to make this happen. One on one interaction with people is the ability to share God's love, His story, and His story that entered our lives- and in turn enter their lives.
But to meet these people, we need to be out in our community. Spending time with our co-workers, walking across the lawn and meeting our neighbors, going to PTA meetings, getting into community sports, etc. Once we make those relationships, it's then, and only then that God has set up the ground work through us to lay out His message. People trust things from a friend, they don't respond to bullhorns & Bible beat downs.
But once we share it, how do we get them to church? How do we get them to share in community with other people? Well, just as Jesus used cultural parables and ideas to show the people truth and Paul used what they saw everyday to share Jesus- the modern church should follow in their footsteps.
The use of movies, songs, cultural pop-ups such as Twitter/Facebook, engaging faux pas topics such as Sex or Finances, and the list goes on- is very taking the example of Jesus & Paul and allowing it to breathe life into people as a vehicle to uncross people's arms so they are ready to hear the one and only truth that God sent His son Jesus to die because we are all dead in our sins until God shows His grace on us and we accept that gift by turning our lives over to Him.
Slamming all-kinds-of-individuals-in-Christendom for trying to preach, teach, and engage this culture of people who are so far from God seems like it's extremely counter productive. I believe as Christ-followers we are to spend time with the ones who matter- those who are far form Him. If a blog, podcast, radio station, and the likes were aimed at reaching people instead of pointing fingers, I believe God's movement in our country would stop declining and start making some real headway.
To my friends, fellow pastors, and Christ-followers- when we realize that religion is man made and God hates it, ridicule is counter productive, and relevance is important, but should never take the place of true relationships- we'll see God revive a movement that will blow the roof off of Hell. People will be saved. Critics will be silenced. And God will receive all the credit.
From "Rebels" to "Livin' Venti" and all the "Lame Relationships" in between... I know it's a vehicle to preach the truth and I thank you.
I'm just glad they never got a hold of our YouTube page. They'd have a field day. Ha.
J-del *over and out*
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And Jason, you know me, I read. I read stuff I agree with, and the stuff I don't agree with, and I know that you do the same.
I like this quote of yours. We just have to find a nice balance don't we? Relationships are number one and if we encourage church members to take this perspective first and then support that initiative with relevant marketing tools (traditional and social media) then we will see genuine life change happening weekly in our churches...and that is positive...and exciting.
As I read through the blog I felt more of a "Argh, these guys don't get it they're leading people to hell" than a "Man, these churches are struggling, let's help them be better at what they do."
On top of that, they seem to be attacking some (not all) of the leaders who are doing amazing things and reaching unchurched people. The blog took a particular direction of attacking methods (i.e. churches discussing sex in relevant ways). It's tough for me to swallow a whole movement that seems to be focused more on getting at other Christian leaders instead of focusing on people who have no clue.
But, seems like they have the time- so I guess they can go hog wild* with it.
*referencing hog wild reminds me of the swine flu. random, yes. important, not at all.
outside of that, the best reason to be relevant....is because its who we are. we are 20th century people who live in a world of tv, movies, and internet. so why wouldnt we use everything and more to be who we already are?
1 Corinthians 15:1-3
Jesus did not die for "Positive Life Change", Christ died so we can be forgiven of our sins, and be made righteous with God through Christ.
All of the Apostles experienced some serious NEGATIVE Life Change as a result of the Gospel. The were persecuted and murdered. Not good, definitely not their "Best Life Now"... no that is heresy, scripture is clear the your best life is LATER! I bet it would be harder to sell a book with that title though...
I agree. We are a culture of media, so speaking the language to share Jesus, spot on.
David-
Thanks for following.
Christ-followers do need to take His message which is number one and put it to use through true, heart felt relationships so people can experience God's power of transformation.
Pez-
I agree that the Gospel is the most important thing. I think David was trying to say that the most important vehicle to spread that is relationships.
As far as the best life, yeah we have all kinds of crap that happens to us, but we have it even when we aren't in Jesus.
I think the idea of having a better life or best life is that God/Holy Spirit is your stregnth during those tough times. So, in theory, life is better and there is a positive change. But again, I would agree, it's not even in the same league as the best life we'll experience in Heaven.
I can't wait to be there.
As far as clever marketing of the Gospel message goes, I'm not really a fan anymore. How did God market His Gospel? He chose the dirtiest of the dirty, and the lowest of the low to share his message to the world. He set up the Gospel to fail in "the world"'s eyes. He chose tax collectors, fishermen, and a "Christian Killing Pharisee". His message is so unbelievable that it is a true miracle that anyone even believes at all.
How did Paul describe how he shared the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 1:17" For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."
It seems that his message was so precious he was scared to screw it up!
And his sermon at Mars Hill, which I think (not you personally J-dizzle) we have taken and used out of context and abused it. Yes Paul did use an example from their pagan culture to preach, but WHAT DID HE PREACH? Not cleverly crafted Dr. Phil self help sermons, he preached the Gospel in verse 30, by calling them to repent because God raised Christ from the dead.
What is really sad is that folks (i.e. "Christian" leaders) have taken Christianity and therefor the Gospel and reduced it to "the best way to live".
I think we need to heed Paul's warning to the church in Galatians 1:6-9: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
you are much more civil (restrained) than me. i hate cheesy belittling christian junk as much as the next guy, but (generously) 90% of the that site was infuriating. they are as much the problem as they claim everyone else is.
I think Forefront is on point when it comes to reaching those who are far from God and sharing the Jesus who can take them from broken to beautifully forgiven. Part of that is how we communicate that Gospel (i.e. message series, music style, preaching style, how Christians approach to those far from God, etc.)
I have been pretty bummed at times about the American Church, but I would hate for you or anyone to become so disappointed with the state of other believers faults that it might hinder our eyes from seeing the life change and kingdom building that is taking place in churches across the country (and just to throw it out there, I don't think you're in that boat).
I guess in reading that blog I felt like the guys have become somewhat disillusioned with the real reason to be a Christ-follower. I'm all for holding people accountable and preaching the truth (as you well know), but at what point do we begin to turn over to hate and discord?
I believe it's when we focus so much on what other people are doing wrong, that we have misused the time we've been given on this earth to share Jesus and His love.
On that topic, I know you know this- but to other readers here who visit but don't comment... I love Pez and we are good friends. Good friends should be able to talk and still share a man hug afterwords and go drink a beer (but no beer for me, long story for another time).
Much love, J-dizzle
And I do agree that there are some great things happening in our church and other churches. I have friends who have come to Christ at Forefront, and have seen God do amazing things there. But, God works in spite of ourselves, if you know what I mean. Sometimes he speaks through the mouth of an ass, like myself...haha.
My question is this, does the fact that God has done amazing things in our church mean that we are 100% biblical in our doctrine and ministry approach, or is it that God is gracious to us in spite of our shortcomings?
In terms of ministry approach, we do everything short of sinning to reach people who are far from God. It's more extreme than other churches, but it's something many people are scared to do because it means finding people & ministering to people who are walking in from the gutters of life.
In all of this, I totally believe God uses up in spite of our shortcomings. I'm a guy who makes tons of mistakes, but if I;m not failing from time to time it means I'm never taking risks. And if I'm not taking risks to try every avenue possibly to reach people, then I believe that is a scary place to be. I pray I never end up there and always try everything possible to reach people for God.