Competition with the world is not in our job description.
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A Challenge for Churches Who Feel the Need to Compete with the World
Lately, I have been questioning the direction that I see many churches moving toward. That being said, I don't want to be perceived as one of those Christians who love to bash the church. Those folks who enjoy blaming all of their problems on fellow believers and the church. The enemy has already spent a whole lot of time discrediting the body of Christ, which causes many people to dismiss Jesus. Jesus died for the church and He loves it very much.
The problem that I have is with the cookie-cutter acts that are coming from church platforms all over this nation. It seems that many of our churches have an obvious inferiority complex. It's like the school girl that desperately wants attention from the boys so she buys the cutest outfits and makes sure she has the latest hairstyle only to find out that the other girls are still getting all of the attention.
The church always seems to be a few steps behind the world in their pursuit to woo the masses. The problem is you can only see it if you step back from it a bit. I look at all of the time, energy, and money that churches are spending trying to compete with the world's entertainment industry, and yet they can never quite measure up; just like the school girl trying so hard to impress the boys. Don't get me wrong, the church produces quality stuff, it's just that it will never be (by design) quite as enticing as what the world produces.
I don't believe God ever intended for us to try to compete with the world. We don't have to. We have the answers that people need. All they want from us is to hear that they are loved unconditionally and that there is hope for their souls.
The problem that I have is with the cookie-cutter acts that are coming from church platforms all over this nation. It seems that many of our churches have an obvious inferiority complex. It's like the school girl that desperately wants attention from the boys so she buys the cutest outfits and makes sure she has the latest hairstyle only to find out that the other girls are still getting all of the attention.
The church always seems to be a few steps behind the world in their pursuit to woo the masses. The problem is you can only see it if you step back from it a bit. I look at all of the time, energy, and money that churches are spending trying to compete with the world's entertainment industry, and yet they can never quite measure up; just like the school girl trying so hard to impress the boys. Don't get me wrong, the church produces quality stuff, it's just that it will never be (by design) quite as enticing as what the world produces.
I don't believe God ever intended for us to try to compete with the world. We don't have to. We have the answers that people need. All they want from us is to hear that they are loved unconditionally and that there is hope for their souls.
Comments
Great article Kim!
Kim: Wonderful article, and I agree totally. I have seen members of the Praise and Worship team that I was on almost "tap dance" to get attention. LOL! Instead of worship directed to God, their worship was directed to the audience. At times it has made me want to run from church. In some respects, that is why I think the "house church" principle you also wrote about could be the answer. The people get to participate, and in smaller groups sometimes people really are there to worship, and seek God. At any rate-great article! I wrote a similar one on "Has Church Growth Become Big Business". In my research, I found that churches were giving away cars and ipods to get people to come to the meetings. Somehow, I think the Gospel message can stand on its own, and the Holy Spirit can draw people far better than gimmicks. Thanks again! Lonnette
Great topic -- wonderful read!
Wow, this has made me very reflective. I don't know if I necessarily agree with all your points, but this is a thought-provoking piece. I think change is important, look how much the church has changed in the millenia it has existed. So many demoniations would not exist if the church allowed itself to stagnate. For me, as long as the church is not changing it's beliefs systems to satisfy the world, it matters little to me how it reaches its members - traditional worhsip vs. contemporary, sermons with out without visual aides. What matters is the fruit that the church produces. But again, great article!
So true.
You have a very healthy attitude, in my opinion, Kim
The tools we think we need to use to bring people into the church. The real reason they feel they need to do this is because the is no real spiritual move going on. If there was you wouldn't have to invite them they would come in droves. When God is trully moving inside a church people are drawn to it. This goes along with my article why there is no revival in America.
Great Article! So true!
Great article Kim.
an alternate for everything the "world" does. If people who aren't Christian, God forbid, do something worthwhile, rather than making a parody of it, we should be able to praise and value its worth, using it where we can to exemplify the truth and not wasting attention or effort where we can't. This is true whatever the "thing" is, a movie no matter what it's rated, a recording, a genre of music, a philosophy, literature, science - anything. If it exemplifies truth, we don't have to turn around, chop it up and butcher it just so we'll be comfortable applying the label "Christian" to it; if it speaks of Christ, or any attribute of him, then let it stand on its own merit! Anyway, sorry for the rant, I'm totally with you on this one, and I also just get really frustrated from time to time with churches' wasted resources and efforts spent on things that are simply distractions from the real purpose.
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