I haven't posted in a long while,but have a question...

I agree with Dr. Bob Griffin. But I certainly understand where you are coming from Molly. I can see the zeal that you have for the Word of God, and that is good. I generally am very fidgety and anxiously waiting for the sermon while everyone else is liking the music. Sometimes I think its happening... I get excited... and then someone steps up who wants to sing a special . (and wouldn't you know it sometimes its my wife!! ) I like the Word being taught. I also think lives are changed more by its being expounded upon than by anything else. But people also need to have fun, just as brother Bob has said.

God Bless!!

 

We need to be able to laugh and have fun with our church fmily, just like we do with the family we are realted too. We are one family and need to do more together then just sit and listen and learn.(although those are a very important part of our church life, not minizing those at all).
So i think as long as your church is doing those types of things, having fun together is alright, and need after all we are family those relationships need work just like anyother relationship, bonding time.

 

There is a danger in that this might be considered outreach. It is not worship, and it is not billed as worship, but there is a danger.

 

I think if we didn't see such a barrier--a great divide--between the "sacred" and the "secular", we wouldn't have these problems. God sanctifies all of life--I wonder why we create problems with that.

 

Lighten up, Molly.

There's nothing wrong with doing something different in church every now and then.

We use to do skits in my old church all the time because people tend to understand and retain what they see more than what they hear.

Some were silly, some were serious, some were to teach God's word in a provocative way and some were just for fun.

If you ever get the chance, check out Issac Air Freight. They were kinda of like a Christian Firesign Theater back in the seventies and eighties. Their albums are out of print, but well worth the effort too find.

I remember one skit in which Charles Taze Russel and Mary Baker Eddy were set up on a blind date and another that was a take off on "Let's Make a Deal" where the host desperately tries to get the guy to choose door number three:

"OK, Fred, you've chosen what's behind door number two. Now, before we see what you've won, let's see what's behind door number one...Oh! it's a thirty year supply of Turtle Wax."

"But I don't even own a turtle...".

"And behind door number three, we have...Jesus Christ, the Unblemished Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!...Oh that's too bad Fred, but we did try to tell you...

"But you choose door number two, Fred. Bob, tell him what he's won."

"That's right, Jay, he's won an eternity in the Lake of Fire..."

I think my favorite was "Big Bob, Little 'g'", in which a man who normally never gives God a second thought, badgers God to the point that God finally says in exasperation, "Fine, you want to be God? You're God for the day. I'm going to lunch."

Naturally, it turns out to be a disaster and he realizes that he needs God, after all.

Mike

http://www.keylife.org

[ February 26, 2002, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Smoke_Eater ]

 

Think of it this way. Perhaps there is another lady who will be there who has been sick for a while, or one whose husband left her, or one who has a wayward child. Instead of looking at is in light of what you will be feeling, go with a spirit that is ready to minister to someone else! Sometimes a smile, or hug, or a quick prayer together, ministers volumes to someone else. You may not even know it at the time!

 

A word of caution!! I agree with the comments that we should enjoy our fellowship with other believers, and sometimes those fellowships can be light and apart from worship, preaching, etc. and just be fun. However, my concern, Molly, is that you not violate your own conscience in this matter. Romans 14 addresses the matter of biblical differences, but would apply here as well. Vs 5 sums it up pretty clearly...."One man esteeemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Don't violate your conscience in this matter. Determine if this fellowship is the right thing for you to do and then do it wholeheartedly.

 

Molly:
I agree with you. I think all this so-called "fellowship" time is just another sign of the sheer nonsense that goes on in the modern day "church." Call it what you want, but when a church prides themselves on their contemprary music (like that obscene "christian" rap), have little skits about things of the world, trying to "reach Jesus", (as if the Sovereign God of the universe is just waiting with baited breath for someone to "accept" Him), when they waste there time on all this fluff, and worldly nonsense, it is time to move on to a REAL church.

I can see why you are having a problem with all this stuff. Look for a church where you can mention the DOCTRINE of Justification by Faith, for example, and the Pastor doesn't have a stroke and actually knows what you mean. Look for a church that teaches about the free gift of faith, that teaches the Old and New Testament as the word of God, instead of a bunch of people jumping around in custumes trying to be a 30-minute sit-com, which of course is just about par for the course in the so-called church of today.

When is the last time your pastor spent three or four months explaining the book of Ezeikel, or Daniel, or the tremendous amount of spiritual food contained in Deuteronomy or Ephesians?

Molly, don't just walk from such a chuch filled with such worldly nonsense. RUN from it!! Find a church where the Preacher actually preaches the Word of God. Now that is my opinion. Folks, Molly asked for opinions, so that is mine. Others may disagree with me, so for you folks, stay in your church and hear all about how successful you will be because you are a "Christian." Sit and listen to the I'm ok, you're ok, philosophy and all the latest versions of psychobabble that seems to take over the churches. That's fine, but Molly, if I were you I would look for a different church.
James2

[ February 26, 2002, 01:05 PM: Message edited by: JAMES2 ]

 

A little bitter, are we?

Mike

http://www.keylife.org

[ February 26, 2002, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: Smoke_Eater ]

 

smoke eater:
Pleasssseeee!!!!! To answer your question: NO!!! I know the truth may have hit home with you, so if your church spends it's time in the stuff we have been discussing, I would suggest you also look for a church that actually teaches the Word of God instead of all the stuff to make people "happy" and "feel good" about themselves.

I can't say much more. The mere fact that people are defending this nonsense just shows how far the church has gotten away from their main function -- to teach the gospel and GLORIFY GOD. Not to make people "feel good about themselves."
James2

 

You've never even been to my church.

I'm glad to have a preacher who preaches the word of God faithfully, thank you. Just like it says on the church letterhead, "Preaching Christ crucified, risen and coming again."

The point of church isn't to make you feel good about yourself or to entertain, although often, that can be a pleasant side benefit.

We do things like skits and interactive Bible studies because people just respond better to what they see, what is demonstrated to them and what they can do hands on.

We're seeing people come to Christ, people being baptized and people really wanting to study God's word.

If that's not good enough for you, then you are welcome not to come to our church.

Mike

http://www.keylife.org

 

Our church does an occasional skit, usually Bible-based, but sometimes more "real life".
The problem I see is the sitcom from tv thing. What sitcom? How could it possibly glorify God if it brings something so secular in baggage?
Need more info.

 

I agree with you James2.
Were the people are playing there is no praying and soon all they well do is play.
I have seen this happen in my own home church which use to be a strong Bible church. But they chose the world over the Bible and we left. I like to have fun as much as the next person but I love the Word of God more.

Molly, it might be time to move on.