Are you being entertained?

Whatever it takes to bring a crowd in will have to be continually done & constantly upgraded, to keep em! I don't know how it is in other places, but around here, many Baptists are building "Family Life Centers". My daughter Farmer's Wife, wrote a tract and I asked her if I could put it on the BB again (any typos are mine) ...

The Family Life Center

Everywhere you look today you see huge metal buildings that people refer to as a "Family Life Center." Who designed the first family life center? What was its original purpose, and for whom was it designed? Let's go to the KJBible to find the answers to these questions.

In Genesis 2:18-25, we find that God established the first family life center! Throughout the Bible we find several reasons God created this institution. It was meant to be the foundational block for society and the church. God intended it to be for the family. The man was to be the ruler (Genesis 3:16) and the wife was to be his submissive helper (Ephesians 5:22). The children also had a special place in this family life center. They were to honour and obey (Ephesians 6:1-2) the parents that God has placed over them. The man was to provide (1Timothy 5:8) for this family life center and the woman was to keep it (Titus 2:5). The children were to be taught the Word of God day in and day out (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Now, let's compare this first family life center with the ones that are so popular today. Today's family center has something for everyone...basketball, volleyball, youth concerts, children's daycare, exercise programs, adult banquets, men's fish fries, quilting circles, rummage sales, health fairs...just to name a few. You see, all of these activities actually separate the family and rarely bring honour to God! The original family life center was designed to keep families together and honour God.

I'm sure you've guessed by now that the home was the only family life center created by God. So, why not follow God's Word and refuse to be enslaved by the world's idea of a "family life center"!!! "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

 

Although Maybe worship services shoudl be as choreographed as this, we must remember instances such as 2 Samuel 6:14-15:

"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets."

And at one point David danced so much he asctually dances right out of his clothes. Worship is from the heart and shouldn't be constrained. I'm all for some crazsy outward worship of our Heavenly Father!

 

But remember that all of those things can have a purpose that has nothing to do with entertainment. I wholeheartedly agree that the church should not be entertainment. But the things that you mention have a legitimate place that has nothing to do with entertainment. As for "family life centers," I can't help but think that the Farmer's Wife is a little misguided. I have not heard of a family life center that is intended to replace the family. Perhaps I am not well traveled enough. Family Life Center is what we use to call "Fellowship Hall" or "Gym." All of the things listed can indeed bring glory to God. To say that they "rarely do" assumes more knowledge that I think we should grant the Farmer's Wife. How can she possibly know what is going on there??

My caution, as always, is to make legitimate points of argument, not straw men. I think this thread is tending towards the latter rather than the former.

The Granny certainly makes a point about having to constantly upgrade to keep certain people. That is something to be cautioned against. But we must also keep in mind that there is no spirituality is being out-dated. Let's examine all things and hold on to that which is good, not just that which is "the way we have always done it."

 

I agree with Pastor Larry. Not one of the listed things (or any other things related to them) are incapable of bringing glory to God. There is, also, nothing unbiblical about meeting with others of the same interest and having a little fun and fellowship. Remember the Bible said that where two or three are gathered in His name, there He is also. I'm sure this can be extended outside of the walls of the sanctuary on Sunday morning. Once again, limiting God in His own outreach is counter-productive to the cause. "The way we ahve always done it" can be a very harmful philosophy when it refuses acceptance and understanding.

 

A "Oneness" Apostolic/Jesus-only woman who lives near me(actually I'm surrounded,) is always telling me about all the "dancing" going on in their Tabernacle. I asked her where in the Bible does it say anyone danced in church buildings?! She continually mentions David...

 

The bible doesn't even say there were church buildings. So thats just as unbiblical as anything else.

 

I'm not sure of the functions of family life centers.
I do think that there's is WAY less interaction among Christians than there should be, so maybe they're a good thing?
Why shouldn't local Christians pray together, play together, eat together, work together. I don't like that Christianity is so separated from everyday life. There really is no sense of having a "Christian community" in a lot of places. There's just Christians living in a secular community trying to remain Christian despite associations.
Gina

 

trying2understand

Im from Michigan too, and that church you described sounds just like Kensington in Troy.. I dont know that they go by Methodist anymore, but I do know that they stemmed off from American Methodist.

my brother went to Kensington a few times back when he was dating his wife. As soon as he went there the first time, he knew it couldnt be his home church.. He felt like he went there to be entertained instead of to worship. He felt like everyone filed in to watch the show, and then filed out..

he also said that he would feel extreme guilt giving his tithe there because it was not for the work of God at all.. it was for entertainment purposes..

Him and his now wife are busy looking for a good church.. just like me and my husband..

 

No where. They are using worldly means to bring people to Christ.

T2U. Missed ya. Where ya been?

 

Yup. I don't like applause. I don't think there's any place for it.

 

The same place you find organs, pews, hymn books, pulpits, and church buildings.

 

This is the negative influence of Bill Hybels Church. Get people in by ENTERTAINING them. It won't endure. Second, it's likely that the above United Methodist Church uses these techniques, but its leadership probably is VERY liberal. (if you understand the United Methodist appointment system, you know that conservative clergy don't often get 'assigned' to churches that can afford things like this) LISTEN to what is taught in 'mainline' churches like these. They will use these 'techniques' because they see chuches like Hybels growing. They naively believe it's the 'techniques' that will help them grow. As for me, being Anglican, I prefer traditional liturgy.
And I prefer that the Eucharist become the 'focus' of worship, not 'techniques'.

 

And your preferences are just that -- preferences. Others prefer the things described in the original post. I will not judge you based upon your preference of style. Don't be guilty of doing the same.

 

Or, where can you find the goings-on at your church in the Bible? Where do you find two meeting times on Sunday? Sunday School? Junior Church? Wednesday Night? Special Singing? Youth Group? Building Funds? Watch Night Service? Sunrise Service? Etc. Etc. Etc.

We are always ready to judge the folks down the road based on what we do.

 

The point is "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:2

If you're going to judge according to its absense in the Bible, expect the same.

 

While I do not agree with the approach this church is taking, I must remind you that nowhere in the Bible is there mention of a church building, stained glass windows, icons, rosaries, hymn books, robes for the priest/pastor, air conditioning, etc. While you may disagree with their approach, as I do, there are much better grounds to base you disagreement upon than one that undermines your very position.

In Christ,
Neal

 

trying2understand
In response to the post that started this thread.
Isn't all of that simply an approach to liturgy?
The Methodist equivalent of a churchservice in a cathedral?