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Originally Posted by Mr. Smith
Thanks for your deeply thoughtful and revelatory insights. Yawn.
No one said the Holy Spirit doesn't draw anymore, Toadie. In America, 17% regularly attend church services. You think something just might be wrong about sticking with 1950's strategies?
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We absolutely have problems. The problem isn't singing out of the hymnal or singing songs written by people who claim to be Christians. The problem is that the churches aren't hungry for the things of God, but are filled with the luxuaries of this world. The people are too busy with recreation, with secular careers, and with entertainment to actually give a care about their lost neighbors.
And paradoxically this is the result of the first generation of "seeker sensative" church which told people they could become Christians essentially without comittment or repentance. They sure had huge meetings, but look at the fruit of that movement. It created a christianity that time proved to be dead. The "seeker" movement is simply this generations version of that earlier version of watered down Christianity to make it appealing to the masses.
Furthermore, the gospel is NOT for the majority of people. What percentage of church attendence did they have in the first century Roman Empire, or Second century? When the majority of people attended church the church entered the Dark Ages. Which is what would happen again if there was a huge influx of carnal unrepentant people who joined the church and called themselves Christians without being born again. The very thing most of these seeker friendly churches are attempting to do.
I am 100% for huge gospel meeting. I love the idea of preaching in stadiums filled with people. I would to God that all people would at LEAST listen to the gospel. But the problem is the only way to get the HUGE crowds is by watering down the message of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself had huge crowds, but He was quite clear that it was one thing to be in the multitude, and another to be a disciple.
While I would love to see an 80% or 90% church attendance rate, it will never be. Jesus didn't say the way is straight and the gate is narrow in vain. We shouldn't ever withold the gospel from anyone, or pre-judge them. The gospel is for everyone, but the fact is that if we present the TRUE gospel, the majority are going to reject it. Its sad, but true.
Speaking of which, why not use the Metallica song "Sad but True" in an effort to spread the gospel? I mean if we're going to be relevant, right?
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