The Church Of The Cool And Groovy (A Worldy Christian View)

I agree. Seems the church today is more concerned about trying to be like the world instead of being a light and witness for Christ. I believe also that because of this people do not take seriously the scriptures nor the fallen state of man. I've actually been asked to lead in with a joke before a sermon when I was a visiting preacher. I'm sorry, but the gospel is no laughing matter. It's time we stop acting like children in the church. I Corinthians 13:11

 

Laodicea is alive and well, and many are pitching their tent's toward Sodom because the fields seem lush and good for grazing.

 

Amen brother, amen.

 

I was just thinking about this....and I agree 100% with you guys about churches longing to appeal to those who are not believers.

However, I don't think I've ever heard of a church, and definitely have not been a part of a church, that says, "Hey....Starbucks is really popular, let's get some Starbucks in here so that will draw people in!"

I think that A LOT of churches get accused of trying to appeal, or be cool, when in actuality they are just being who they are. For example....my church has a coffee station set up. Why? We like coffee. Why do youth groups seem cool? A lot of times it is because they are very fun to be a part of. Kids get together and do things the enjoy doing together. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are automatically not hearing the gospel, or being taught, or given opportunities to grow spiritually, or are not held accountable. My youth group I grew up with was probably one of the examples of a group that was "cool"...yet I was held accountable for everything because I was a leader in the group. I was even disciplined at times....yet this was a "cool" youth group to be a part of.

I have never heard of a church that approaches these things the way the OP mentions. Who knows....I guess they could be out there. I think that it is more likely we see churches like this and then assume this is why they are the way they are....because they are trying to appeal.

 

Amen brother. We don't make our church worldly, but we do make it enjoyable. Our church serves coffee and doughnuts every Sunday, for the very reason of making Sunday mornings easier for people, and to encourage people to come a little earlier to visit and talk with their brothers and sisters, rather than just show up and take their seat and not socialize. Our youth group is a very fun place to be. I'm not ready to join a church that hands out lemons at the start of service. To be a christian doesn't mean we have to be a dried up old prune. There is joy in the Lord and we can do stuff that is enjoyable as long as it in good taste and not anti-Biblical. I enjoy going to church and will never belong to a place that expects you to "act like your best pig died" and go around with a smug dried up look all the time.

 

I always love this. It tells who we should be.
But sadly, churches are slacking. A pastor can teach thes, and teachers teach it, but people are going to do what they want to do. Which is sad. What has happened to faith thats made of something? What has happened to loveing God enough that we live for Him?
Ok, don't get me started, this is one of our (husband and me) main topics of conversation.

Nothing wrong with this. This is where our church is at.
But theres still those members....who would rather not know about Ro. 12:1&2, and what it means to christians.

 

It all comes down to "BALANCE"; a trait that is difficult for most of us.

 

Later this month, our church will be two years old. In that short time, we've gone from 24 members to more than 200. So I think we've shown that you don't have to be "relevant" or sacrifice sound doctrine and practice to grow.

We go against all of the things the church growth/seeker sensitive/emergent people say we should.

We don't have rock music. We have hymns.

We don't have a "worship team" (ie. rock band). We have a piano and, on occasion, an organ.

We don't have power point. We use hymnals.

We don't have motivational speaking. We have honest to goodness, rock solid expositional preaching.

"Worst" of all, we make prospective members sign a covenant that states that (a) they will submit to accountability and, if need be, church discipline, and (b) that they understand that church is not a spectator sport and they are expected to be involved in the ministry of the church.

Yes, a lot of people decide that isn't for them, but the folks who decide to stay are unbelievable. If we go out to share the Gospel, we don't have to beg people to go. They can't wait.

When we have a new class, we have to turn people away because they fill up so quickly.

So I just don't believe that we have to be "hip" to attract people.

In fact, if you feel like you've got to make the Gospel "hip", then you're probably not preaching the Biblical Gospel.

 

So what it about the above the means that churches that are not like yours are just trying to make everything "relevant"?

Are you insinuating that churches that do have these things don't have any kind of system similar to your covenants?

 

Please read the OP.

 

I reread the OP. But why would you automatically assume that churches that are the way you described are just seeking to be "relevant"?

 

Please read the OP.

 

Why can't you answer?

 

Because I don't like people who try to put words in my mouth.

 

A question, by nature, seeks a clarification on something that is unknown. Let me follow the example of the OP by giving a definition.

ques·tion Audio Help /ˈkwɛstʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kwes-chuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply. 2. a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation

If I were putting words in your mouth...I wouldn't have formed what I said as a question. I was seeking clarification on something that I felt was insinuated in you remarks. Your reply would be your opportunity to correct me, or explain how I could be, indeed, right.

 

If by "these churches" you mean those that have coffee, "cool" youth pastors, or youth groups, and anything other than hymns (often described as a rock band, although that seems extreme), than this is a complete over generalization.

 

And if you weren't putting words in my mouth, you wouldn't have said:

You couched an accusation in the form of a question.

I never assumed anything of the kind, but you still chose to state that I did.

 

Man....this is so unnecessarily difficult. My apologies for the unwarranted accusation in the form of a question.

Ahem.....So then, are you assuming that the churches in which you described that aren't like yours are just trying to do nothing more than be "relevant" to unbelievers?