[Warning: Mini-rant ahead]
The mega-church down the road recently built a new sanctuary, which we experienced firsthand at Tim Hawkins' show. It was certainly impressive to say the least, but I had to shut my mouth more than once to keep the snark inside. The stage had light panels above, below, and surrounding the 3 ginormous TV screens at the back. The color of the lights were varied depending on Tim's musical numbers and even changed to red, white, and blue for his grand finale. Very cool for the new Chick-fil-A song, but can anyone tell me why a light show would be necessary for the preaching of the word?
It was so sad when the pastor of this congregation invited people to their worship service, telling the audience he was called the "Jeff Foxworthy" of preachers. At the end of the show, another man (maybe the assistant pastor) also gave an invitation stating that if you liked Tim Hawkins you'd love it there Sunday morning.
Is that any recommendation? As though the Word of God needs a clown suit or a comedy routine to make it palatable? More like a big, loud warning, if you ask me.
The mega-church down the road recently built a new sanctuary, which we experienced firsthand at Tim Hawkins' show. It was certainly impressive to say the least, but I had to shut my mouth more than once to keep the snark inside. The stage had light panels above, below, and surrounding the 3 ginormous TV screens at the back. The color of the lights were varied depending on Tim's musical numbers and even changed to red, white, and blue for his grand finale. Very cool for the new Chick-fil-A song, but can anyone tell me why a light show would be necessary for the preaching of the word?
It was so sad when the pastor of this congregation invited people to their worship service, telling the audience he was called the "Jeff Foxworthy" of preachers. At the end of the show, another man (maybe the assistant pastor) also gave an invitation stating that if you liked Tim Hawkins you'd love it there Sunday morning.
Is that any recommendation? As though the Word of God needs a clown suit or a comedy routine to make it palatable? More like a big, loud warning, if you ask me.
I've been thinking about this lately and I certainly don't agree with seeker sensitivism as a means to bring in the big bucks,but I wonder if perhaps there may be some merit in meeting people where they are:
ReplyDelete1Cor 9:20-23
Col 4:6
Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16) after telling the Gentiles not to, so that they wouldn't offend the Jews...and then there was the whole vow thing (Acts 21) he did in order to be sensitive to his fellows of Israel, even after he knew that all the OT was fulfilled.
I'm not comparing Mega churches to the Apostle Paul, though.
I wouldn't want to say that the gospel could never be preached or heard in a venue like that. But I think it would be a tough job to be faithful to the whole counsel of God and borrow the world's methods to keep people entertained. Like R.C. said, the whole strategy is based on unbelief which in itself reveals how the Word of God is valued. Paul was culturally aware but never watered-down his message to reach his audience.
ReplyDeleteYou hit it right on the head. Entertainment has a place. Tim Hawkins is fine. I love him in fact. But this is not the same as worship on a Sunday morning. I love going to a great Christian concert, but that has no place in the corporate worship of God's people.
ReplyDeleteAnd R.C. hit it, as he always does. Sunday morning is not primarily the "outreach", it's worship. "Meet people where they are" is great for outreach. Meeting God where He would have us is what Sunday morning is about.
Thanks for sharing, and thanks for that wonderful video clip.
Love Tim Hawkins but, ahem, the "Jeff Foxworthy of preachers"? Really? I have to agree with you, Persis. Of course the gospel can be heard and God can save people in such an environment but the very "need" for such a set up screams unbelief. I'm one of those crazy people that believes that church is for believers, thus it is for worship. Preaching to the unconverted happens outside of church, not in it.
ReplyDeleteBecause so many preachers and pastors are "suffering" from Media-Madness, these kind of posts need to be regularly applied.
ReplyDelete"but can anyone tell me why a light show would be necessary for the preaching of the word?" Not really. But I can tell you that a light show IS necessary when the word is not preached! 2 Timothy 4:3, Isaiah 30:10
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
It's a sad state of affairs, isn't it? We just have to keep our eyes on Christ lest we despair.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of Ecclesiastes 7:4
ReplyDelete"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."
So sad.
Well said, Persis. I like it when you "rant." :)
ReplyDeleteEW. I understand your need to rant about that.
ReplyDelete@ Ma - there isn't any (merit) Seeker sensitive has at its root a distrust, mistrust, or sans-trust of the sufficiency of the Word of God. It boils down to how you determine conversion can take place. Your view and definition of conversion will dictate your means and methods of evangelism. If you think that conversion is a complete work of God in the soul, you will speak the word in love concerning there sin, there judgment, their condemnation, then the words of Christ's accomplishment on the cross, and implore them to close the deal with Christ by throwing htemselves on his mercy and calling out for redemption.
ReplyDeleteIf you think conversion is something that in a Charles Finneyish, Billy Grahamish whatever works manipulation of the emotions, then you will meet them at their felt needs and motivate them with rewards rather than convince them of their sin and need for repentance.
@Persis - great post and great observations. Circumcising Timothy and becoming all things to all men is not giving up on the sufficiency of scripture nor admitting we need to meet people where they are in their felt needs. You are right, the seeker sensitive movement was born in hell.
@Gregg: Good point. The methodology is the fruit of the underlying theology.
ReplyDeleteI know that God is the one who seals the deal.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how their so interested in pleasing every seeker but the One that actually matters.
ReplyDelete*turns green*
ReplyDeleteThe very fact that he said that his church on Sundays was like a Tim Hawkins show makes me NOT want to go there. Ever.