Church "Fads" in our Generation

[Dr. Bob]

While I think the 2000's fad of "Purpose Driven Church" is simplistic, it is certainly a giant step up in the "popular christianity" culture from the "Prayer of Jabez" or "WWJD" fads.

Wondering what other "fads" have come-and-gone in the church market in our generation?

Bishop Fulton Sheen's writings were the rage in the 50's

Norman Vincent Peale was big in the 60's

Evangelism Explosion with T James Kennedy was hot for the 70's as was Hal Lindsay and the Late Great Planet Earth stuff

Others for the list or discussion?

 

[Daniel David]

Don't forget Left Behind.

It is a story about the end times. Although I think it is also what LaHaye did with his brain before he wrote the series...

DD, a true Dispy

 

[Emily]

I havent read the purpose driven life, but I am SO SICK of hearing about it.. The church my husband wants to join is doing one of their bible studies surrounding that.. I have NO desire to go..

WWJD.. well, that was a cute little thing for teenagers or whatever, and from a very close personal friend of mine, I take that in certain situations, it worked.. It served as a reminder one night when she was about to give away her "gift" so to speak..

Prayer of Jabez.. I was involved with the word-faith movement when that came out.. Now when I look at it.. it sickens me..

 

[mioque]

Jesus Christ Superstar
The whole rehabilitation of Judas Iscariot movement.
Padre Pio.
Taizé.
KJVO.
YEC. Yes untill the fifties even the staunchest Funfamentalists were basically all OEC or Gap theory adherents.

 

[Pastor KevinR]

I used to be a part of the largest church in Kentucky in the 70's, and this "fad" may have only been in that particular church, I really don't know, but everyone had to have a Bible that was leather bound and the color red. The saying was, in jest, "Red on the outside, and read on the inside"

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

I think I remember this fad that Jonathon Edwards and others during the Great Awakening had. They used to preach from the Bible. I think it probably worked pretty good for them and the early Church, but hey, that time is over now. It seems that now, we have to entertain instead of feeding them the Word.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[go2church]

Well the type of music is an easy given. How about the "I Found It" fad, anyone remember that one? All the end-time predictions and of course the whole "Moral Majority" thing. Bible colleges sending out huge singing groups to tour the country in matching dress and suits that where ugly then and awful now!

 

[Dr. Bob]

Good input. Appreciate it. Will work on a full-fledged article.

Robert Schuler's Self Esteem neeeds to fit in there somewhere too

 

[Artimaeus]

The problem with many of the "fads" is that their original "kernal" of truth is often overlaid with layers of "inedible" husk wich become mistaken for food.

 

[David Mark]

Originally posted by go2church:
How about the "I Found It" fad, anyone remember that one?

I remember that one. I was reminded of it when I asked a deacon about a cute green frog pin that he always wears on his lapel. I did ask him about it and that was his way of finding an open door to share his faith.

Dave.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

"Power to Change" and the Alpha course would seem to fit the catagory over here - are either of them know to our N. American brethren?

 

[Debby in Philly]

I was involved in the "I Found It" campaign. After the advertising was out, we went door-to-door with the Campus Crusade "4 Spiritual Laws" booklets, explaining the gospel to all who would listen. I also sat on the phone banks.

Interesting backlash to it from the Jewish community, was that in not really understanding what the "It" was about, some Jewish folks had bumper stickers that read, "I Never Lost It!" with a Star of David motif.

 

[mioque]

"some Jewish folks had bumper stickers that read, "I Never Lost It!" with a Star of David motif. "
This reminds me of the :" I only break for Jezusss" bumpersticker that was a shortlived fad overhere among atheist intelectuals.

 

[Ransom]

Henry Blackaby's book Experiencing God was hot stuff when it first came out. It's still popular but you don't hear as much about it now as then.

 

[Ps104_33]

Am presently reading John Pipers' "Desiring God" where he advocates something called "Christian Hedonism". Seems like kind of a faddish book although I only read the first couple of chapters so far. Anyone else read this book?

 

[Daniel David]

I have read the book. It is top notch.

It is only faddish if Jonathan Edwards is a fad.

 

[LadyEagle]

Ladies wearing hats to church.

Big ties.

Thin ties.

Bell bottom trousers.

Double knit suits.

Sword Drills. (Do they do those anymore?)

 

[USN2Pulpit]

Originally posted by Ransom:
Henry Blackaby's book Experiencing God was hot stuff when it first came out. It's still popular but you don't hear as much about it now as then.

It was so prevalent, there were some in the churches that were referring to Blackaby's books rather than the Bible. "Blackaby 3:16," as it were.

 

[Pennsylvania Jim]

Small groups.

Praise music.

Bus ministry.

Hyper-dispensationalism.

 

[Emily]

Pennsylvania Jim

Small groups are one fad that I am VERY glad is in existance... especially in the large church that my husband and I attend. While I realize its a fairly new thing, I do think its exactly what we needed in our church to keep accountability and my group of friends would probably not all be Christians if it were not for this small group.

I dont think Praise Music is really a fad.. I think its an adopted culture.

the charismatic church that I came from used Praise Music that was inspired from the African American churches.. They have used the lively stuff for years.. I doubt its going away anytime soon.