Recently a freind of mine emailed me a link to view an interview with Rick Warren, author of Purpose Driven Life and other books along that same line. He has become synonomous with the "mega-church" movement and the Purpose Driven Church movement around the country as well as other parts of the world. If you have time, here is the link to see the interview for yourself.
ABC News: Rick Warren and Purpose-Driven Strife
One of his comments made me stop and think for a moment about our view of what is "relevant" to this society. I do believe that we cannot simply do it the way we have always done it and expect this society here in America to still "get it." However, at what expense and to what lengths are we willing to go to make sure they do "get it?" At what point does the message then alter itself in our attempts to convince the world that they don't have "it."
Recently E-bay has been running some adds about what you can sell and find on its web-based auction sight. The point is that you can get "it," whatever "it" is. What you are looking for, you can find "it." Seems like we are trying to fit our churches into that same mold. Instead of us having the only thing that will change lives, we want to make that fit what the world thinks "it" should look like. But what does the world know about truth, God, the Bible, salvation, newness of life, repentance, and eternity?
Now here is my thought on this "it" that they are looking for. As the church, we need to be able to take those who come in to our facilities, into our services, and especially into our individual lives and take them from their view of what "it" looks like and show them what God says HE looks like. We need to be relevant, but never for the sake of just being able to say we are reaching people. Are we reaching them or just making them feel comfortable with their opinion of Who Jesus is, what the Gospel is, or what they think the church is?
They are the outsiders, and they stand out there looking in. Are we clear on what we are? What we are supposed to look like? Who we are trying to reach? And how are we doing that?
All the Rick Warrens of the world would claim that they are very clear on their knowledge of truth and the criteria for salvation. That's great, but is the world they are claiming to be reaching "getting it?"
Look forward to any takes on this subject. What do you think we should be doing, are doing right, and what is your view on this "purpose driven" style? Are we doing a good job at getting "it," Jesus and His plan of salvation across to the masses? Or is there something that needs to change? Where is the balance and how do we know if we are balanced? Let me hear them.
3 comments:
Relevance is a great topic Adam. From my experience as a member of a mega-chuch in Dallas being relevant is taking God's truths and placing them into the context of our everyday lives. For example, I grew up thinking that if I didn't smoke or drink I was honoring God by not defiling my body. However, after attending the mega-church I was taught that God is also concerned with what I eat. The donuts and coffee I was consuming were just as bad for me as drinking and smoking. They could kill me over time and alter my moods. God's word didn't change, just the way it was applicable in my life.
Another example, I grew up knowing that committing adultery was a sin. And that's all I was taught about that subject.
At the mega-church I learned how to avoid all the pitfalls the evil one could deploy on me to even get into a situation were I might be tempted to commit adultery. It was so detailed I was even taught what to say if temptataions arises. That's where the truth stays the same but it's put into a context that fits into the culture I live in. Hence, relevant to my life. That's what attracted me to this type of church. And, from my experience the Gospel has never been watered down or altered.
Also, I was single at the time and there were hundreds of lovely christian ladies attending. I met one and married her. In fact, over half of the members of that church were young, professional types. Based on a recent study, over half of all Americans are single. I think God has used the mega-church to reach the hard to "reach" single, young professionals with an atmosphere and relevance that has been lacking in a lot of churches. It's similar to how some of the apostles would walk around cities to pick up their culture to help make their sermons connect with the people. Or how Jesus always used parables to make a point.
Relevance is a great topic Adam. From my experience as a member of a mega-chuch in Dallas being relevant is taking God's truths and placing them into the context of our everyday lives. For example, I grew up thinking that if I didn't smoke or drink I was honoring God by not defiling my body. However, after attending the mega-church I was taught that God is also concerned with what I eat. The donuts and coffee I was consuming were just as bad for me as drinking and smoking. They could kill me over time and alter my moods. God's word didn't change, just the way it was applicable in my life.
Another example, I grew up knowing that committing adultery was a sin. And that's all I was taught about that subject.
At the mega-church I learned how to avoid all the pitfalls the evil one could deploy on me to even get into a situation were I might be tempted to commit adultery. It was so detailed I was even taught what to say if temptataions arises. That's where the truth stays the same but it's put into a context that fits into the culture I live in. Hence, relevant to my life. That's what attracted me to this type of church. And, from my experience the Gospel has never been watered down or altered.
Also, I was single at the time and there were hundreds of lovely christian ladies attending. I met one and married her. In fact, over half of the members of that church were young, professional types. Based on a recent study, over half of all Americans are single. I think God has used the mega-church to reach the hard to "reach" single, young professionals with an atmosphere and relevance that has been lacking in a lot of churches. It's similar to how some of the apostles would walk around cities to pick up their culture to help make their sermons connect with the people. Or how Jesus always used parables to make a point.
Pastor,
I agree, our #1 priority should be to show others Christ.
On the topic of change-change is not inherrantly wrong, it's all about your reasons for changing. When is the next post going to be? = )
Adam
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