theology drives style?

Apparently you do not realize the the emerging and emergent camp hold a great deal of reformed folks. And this mind set is a result of utilitarianism not Calvinism vs. decisional.

 

Hey, I'm impressed.

This is the most creative slam you've come up with regarding worship style you consider "contemporary."

You get an A for imagination.

'Tis sad you feel the need to disparage other believers, but at least you do so creatively...

 

I don't believe that leaving the results with God (option A) is Calvinistic. That is what the Bible commands us to do in Acts 1:8. We are to be his witnesses. We sow. We water. It is God that gives the increase.

On the other hand what you described in scenario B can lead to serious error. It sounds like "the means justifies the ends." Do whatever you can (whether Biblical or not) in order that souls may be saved. That of course is not Biblical. I am not a Calvinist, but I don't agree with what you described in your second scenario.

 

Generally when few are being reached the church is failing in her job to go out into the harvest field. It's not that there aren't that many "elect" people living around you. Don't blame God if the harvest is low when all around you the field is white unto harvest. That is a cop out in my opinion.

I see a great need to take the church out of the church building (comfort zone). I see a great need to engage the culture just as Paul did in Ephesus by moving out of the local synagogue and into the public square. But, I see no where in the Bible where people were manipulated into making decisions to follow Christ. Don't allow your belief that God does the calling to keep you from being innovative in engaging the people and culture around you.

 

Sag38, how are you engaging the culture and seeing people come to Christ as the result of your efforts?

Is the harvest white unto harvest everywhere? Was it white unto harvest everywhere during the ministry of Christ? I don't think so.

Missionaries throughout the world are out of their "comfort zone" and into the world, ut are not reaching crowds of people. We have a missionary in our church who served God among the Touareg people for 25 years before he saw the first Muslim come to faith in Christ.

It is God who gives the increase.

 

I did not say getting out of your comfort zone would bring a harvest. But, if there are lost people around your church then the field is white unto harvest and you and I are responsible to go to them. If they arent' coming to us then we must go to them. And, to use the excuse that no one is being saved, so God must not have elected them, is un-Biblical. Was it not Jesus who saw the large crowd and stated that the field was white unto harvest? Maybe not many of them believed, I don't know. Bu, that did not negate His compassion for them and the desire that they at least hear the good news. Nor did it remove the responsibility of workers to "go" forth into that field. And, in the Great Commission I was told to "go." What about you?

 

I hate that you're offended.

You'd probably be surprised, but I've served as music minister at some VERY "traditional" churches, and I now lead worship in some "contemporary" circles. Be careful what you assume.

Be assured that I believe that God can be glorified in either....and the Spirit can be quenched in either as well.

But like it or not, many of your posts have been "pot-shots" at worship styles with which you disagree. I found your post to be another along that vein.

If I mis-interpreted your post, my apologies. I was following what I found to be a trend.

 

You were the one who said that's what we ought to be doing. So I was just wondering how you have seen that happen in your life. ow are you leading your church engaging the culture in your going? How are you doing that in your own personal life?

btw, Jesus used the phrase when he was speaking about the men in Samaria coming out to see Him after he had spoken to the Samaritan woman.

 

Do you need to go get you an "H"and "B" key for your computer. They seem to be missing.:laugh:

 

One of those intermittent quirks from window vista... :tongue3: or from my fingers... I choose to blame _ill Gates.

 

I hope he's not planning a "hubbub," then...

 

I think I understand (and agree with) your questions/concerns as I am definitely in camp one but grew up in camp two. First, you may want to look at Evangelism Explosion material developed originally by D. James Kennedy. As you know, DJK was certainly in camp one, but also very evangelistic. Secondly, I would focus on serving the community (with love) in which you live (which is very different than where most of us are), while still staying true to Biblical principles. Probably much harder in practice than in theory, but people can sense genuine love. God's best as you minister in a very tough place.