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Featured Aggressive Soul Winning

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by evangelist6589, Jun 1, 2014.

  1. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    I heard some stories from IFB Pastor and laypersons on a recent trip whom gave testimony of God multiplying or tripling a churches attendance after prayer + aggressive soul winning. I agree with the IFB on their evangelism efforts and the challenge by the speaker to pass out at least 10 tracts a day. In certain types of non IFB churches I have been in the past (no names) I never saw the church attendance grow that fast, even after much outreach. But what confuses me is how these IFB churches can grow that fast, yet not claim the label seeker-friendly which they are against. Can someone explain? Thanks..

    Note I did not get into one single debate with the IFB at camp, yes one single debate on the CAL VS. Armin issue as I kept my views to myself as its not a Hill to Die on, so DO NOT, YES DO NOT TURN this thread into a debate on this, thanks.. My only issue of debate with them was on their low view of the English Standard Version (ESV), alcoholic beverages, and music.
     
  2. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    I would take a stab at an explanation but first you need to tell me your definition of seeker friendly.
     
  3. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Thank you so much, I have been waiting for some time for an explanation as to precisely what this is.
     
  4. SolaSaint

    SolaSaint Well-Known Member

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    I think this type of church growth would be much more beneficial than what we see done in modern seeker friendly churches. Something about going out to win souls instead of enticing unbelievers with gimmicks within the church. One fills the church with sheep the other goats.

    Evan, I don't think seeker sensitive is a correct label for this type of evangelism for as scripture tells us no one seeks after God. If we go out and confront the lost with the gospel or a tract then they will become seekers hopefully.
     
    #4 SolaSaint, Jun 1, 2014
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  5. Winman

    Winman Active Member

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    I'll take a stab at this, I think what Evan and others mean by a seeker friendly church is preachers that preach the LOVE of God. God loves you and wants to save you, he died for you on the cross because he cares so much about you and he doesn't want you to perish.

    They want a fire and brimstone preacher like Paul Washer who tells everybody in the audience that if they are not living 100% for God (whatever that means), that God is going to fry you in hell forever. He is just waiting to shove you into that lake of fire because you are a disgusting worm, a maggot, a vile and filthy sinner. You are the scum of the earth.

    I think that is what he and others mean by seeker friendly.
     
  6. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    You are talking past everyone. What are the characteristics of the "modern seeker friendly church"?
     
  7. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    I am seeker friendly. I work to be friendly to everyone who is seeking Jesus.
     
    #7 Revmitchell, Jun 1, 2014
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  8. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    LOL, that's great. I believe that is the first time I've heard it actually defined and not used as a derisive term. Well played.
     
  9. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

    Ditto here. At my church we create environments that "unchurched" people want to be a part of. If that is seeker friendly, call me guilty and proud of it.
     
  10. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    A seeker sensitive church "offers a model of ministry that is 'consumer' oriented. It attempts to relate the Gospel in a culturally relevant way to unchurched men and women" (Starting a Seeker Sensitive Service, by Ed Dobson, pp. 14-15).

    On the other hand, church growth by aggressive soul winning goes to where the people are in the "highways and hedges" and gives the Gospel one on one, aiming at the salvation of the soul wherever they are.

    The two methods of church growth could not be more different.

    1. Seeker Sensitive is a method to get people into the church to get saved, but aggressive soul winning is a method to get people saved and then into the church.

    2. SS is quite willing to change the church to fit the lost person's preferences in the hope that they'll also pay attention to the Gospel. ASW on the other hand seeks a change in the sinner's life made by God saving them prior to church attendance, which means the church service doesn't have to change.

    3. SS says, "Bring the lost one to the church where they might get saved because they like our music and drama and the pastor wearing blue jeans." ASW says, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel."
     
    #10 John of Japan, Jun 1, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 2, 2014
  11. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    A very very good description thank you. But both differ from a Calvinist philosophy. To me it was a little confusing and needed better explanation and of which I stand with the IFB.
     
  12. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    If JOJ's description.....then for the most part, put me down as Seeker Sensitive.
     
  13. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    The SS method is an abomination to God and will produce totally corrupted churches or will totally corrupt any church.

    The Biblical method is quite clear - "go" not "come" and pressure evangelism (SS) fills churches full of lost professors and turns the church into a worldly den of corruption.
     
  14. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    We all know what you are as its not a mystery.
     
  15. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Which is why I said of the two methods discussed I am more with the IFB. However the best method is displayed in the book of Acts which many Calvinists emphasize and that is to preach the word, and preach repentance, and pray to God to grow His church. Its really a simple method.
     
  16. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    I was out witnessing yesterday and spoke with a hispanic family whom professed salvation at one time, yet had not been to church in years. They did not see a need to read their Bible nor study it. I challenged them and said there are evidences of a true conversion which is fruit and almost said they were false converts, but I did not as only God knows. They said to me that everyone can believe what they want about church and that I should not pressure nor argue with people (a response from a Relativist). I challenged them on Hell and to get right with God. After I left I told my wife that they probably were false converts perhaps in a SS church at one time.
     
  17. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    And is this necessarily wrong?

    1 Cor. 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
    20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
    21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
    22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

    Yes, but when I was out doing door-knocking for an IFB ASW church, there was always an invitation given for them to attend church, and there was always an altar call at the end of the service. So, in effect, the goal was two-fold--go out and give them the gospel but also get people into the church to get saved.

    But would you agree that ASW churches also seek to save sinners through the church service itself?

    In my experience there are elements of SS churches in ASW churches. The church I currently attend has traditional music service and P&W service. They have had a Christmas drama in the past but nothing in the past 3 years or so. They have a very aggressive missions and church planting program. They usually extend an invitation at the end of the sermon, but not always. They preach on sin, on repentance, on discipleship. The pastor doesn't wear a tie every Sunday, but never wears jeans (though guest speakers have done so). They preach Jesus is the only way to Heaven, they condemn universalism (Oprah religion), and all other philosophies and religions as being wrong. They abhor abortion and same-sex marriage. They have community service events. They have a bookstore and a coffee shop (the horror!).

    When I think seeker sensitive I think about a P&W band, a preacher in jeans and a tee shirt, the main sanctuary stripped of any Christian symbolism, lots of TV screens, Powerpoint presentations, lots of mood lighting, a NLT or CEV Bible being used, people bringing cookies and/or doughnuts and coffee into the service, 20 minute sermons "relevant to modern life" and how to be a "successful --fill in the blank--", the word 'sin' isn't used, instead 'disease of the soul' or some other euphemism, repentance isn't spoken about, abortion and same-sex marriage is not condemned, Jesus as the only way is not emphasized, etc. etc.
     
    #17 InTheLight, Jun 2, 2014
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  18. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Good, I like you knowing exactly what I am.
     
  19. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    We have not yet convinced you to change but then again in your church this may not happen.

    I just don't understand it. Charles Stanley preaches on HELL, JUDGMENT, THE RETURN OF CHRIST and REPENTANCE. I do not understand his son.
     
  20. ShagNappy

    ShagNappy Member

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    Say the guy who lives his life in direct contradiction to the Bible and refuses to accept rebuke from the body.

    Not understanding seems to be your chief mission in life. :thumbsup: Congrats, you won first place!
     
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