Super Bowl party at church

[abcgrad94]

I concur. I don't like football and think it's a complete waste of time and energy. I don't like the fact that people would rather watch football than hold a normally scheduled worship service. I disagree with the lifestyles of the football players and the halftime show entertainers.

But, here's the kicker. I cannot back up my personal preference with scripture. There is no "rule" about when and where believers should meet. There is no schedule for church services to follow. So, I cannot dogmatically say anyone is wrong for using the superbowl as a fellowship and evangelistic opportunity.

Even though it goes against the grain for me to say it, I believe this is a matter of personal liberty, whether I like it or not.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[TomVols]

I think you're right. I also think this is a moot point, to an extent. Why?

What the essence of the question is, it seems to me, is this: should we alter or eliminate a worship service (that may not be the original question) to do something not explicitly commanded in Scripture? Answer: we do it all the time. Church services in rural areas date their times back to farming and travel days, when you couldn't just zip over in the car and you had to milk (work) and tend the chickens (work) and do other things (work) on the Lord's Day.

Whenever I read these kind (or hear these kind) of questions, I always want to ask about moving the service time to an earlier or later time. Invariably, the protestations are quick and furious. We cannot change a time! That's cow-towing to the culture. A local church blasted another church for having their Sun PM service Super Bowl Sunday earlier so people can worship, the attend a church or family fellowship. This church that did the criticizing? They cancel two services a year so their members can operate a secular community festival. Me thinks thou dost protest too much.

I dare say that all who criticize this aren't guilty of this in some way. I respect why they're criticizing. I just think there's a lot of hypocrisy in this. If not, why not have three Sun services? Four? What about services each day of the week? What about a service at 5am? in Asia, none of this is out of the norm. Are they more holier than us? Before you answer, know this: the moment you answer affirmatively or negatively, you immediately pass judgement on them and us using a metric the Word of God does not use.

 

[webdog]

Dale, where in the Bible does it say that we have to even have a church service on Sunday evening? Where does it say that we have to conduct the service the same way each Sunday or we are guilty of cheapening the gospel? Where does it say that we cannot take advantage of opportunities to engage the culture? Doing something different from time to time does not cheapen the gospel. However, imposing man made traditions and expectations on it does.

Bingo...well said :thumbs:

 

[TomVols]

As usual, someone else says what I was trying to say, and they said it better than I did

 

[Dale-c]

Dale, where in the Bible does it say that we have to even have a church service on Sunday evening?

No where that I have seen, nor have I said that you must have an evening service. I said the opposite actually.

Where does it say that we have to conduct the service the same way each Sunday or we are guilty of cheapening the gospel?

Where did I say that?

Where does it say that we cannot take advantage of opportunities to engage the culture?

I did not say anything about engaging culture.

Doing something different from time to time does not cheapen the gospel.

Nope, it does not, nor did I ever say it did.

However, imposing man made traditions and expectations on it does.

Ok, and which is a man made tradition, the preaching of the gospel, prayer and singing or a super bowl party complete with questionable advertising promoting covetousness, immodest cheerleaders, and halftime shows that are, well you know about those.


Are you saying that the means that God has shown in scripture are not good enough? The gospel is so weak that we have to attrack people by appealing to their flesh to get them to take up their cross and follow Christ?

I fear what is much more likely is a kid thinking: Jesus likes football? I like football, sure I will follow him.

Oh, and for what it is worth, I like football too, in it's place.

 

[Steven2006]

We don't change anything we do on Sunday nights for the Super Bowl. Or any other Bowl or sporting event. :

I agree.

I have to add this because "I agree" was to short to post. :laugh:

 

[dcorbett]

I concur. I don't like football and think it's a complete waste of time and energy. I don't like the fact that people would rather watch football than hold a normally scheduled worship service. I disagree with the lifestyles of the football players and the halftime show entertainers. But, here's the kicker. I cannot back up my personal preference with scripture. There is no "rule" about when and where believers should meet. There is no schedule for church services to follow. So, I cannot dogmatically say anyone is wrong for using the superbowl as a fellowship and evangelistic opportunity.

I said I was done with this, but I believe in the truth, so.....

No, the Bible doesn't set a schedule....but that's only avoiding what needs to be done. How can a person grow in the Word when they only hear it 15-20 min a week? I mean, how much do you want to serve the Lord? An hour a week?
Romans 12:2 (KJV) ~ 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 14: 14-16
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.
But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

So, if you want rock music, or if you want Super Bowl ads that show half naked girls and beer parties on a big screen in God's house, yes, this offends me personally, but think about those who see church as a refuge from the crap in the world? You just turned church into the crap in the world!

And I found a good quote about the discontinuation of Sunday night services - a fact-based statement that spells the state of Christianity in this country today:

Sunday Night Slump - Sept 21, 2007
BY CHRISTIE STORM
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
The Rev. W.J. Bryan III of Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology said the decline in Sunday evening worship services is due in part to less emphasis in American society on keeping the Sabbath.
For many, Bryan said, Sunday is no longer a mandatory day of worship. It’s an optional hour of worship — if it doesn’t conflict with a trip to the lake or soccer practice.
Busy lifestyles and dual-income households have also contributed to low attendance on Sunday evenings as families struggle to find time to spend with one another.
“It’s difficult to recruit people to things that go on forever now,” said Bryan, the Dallas seminary’s director of professional formation. “Sunday night, for those who enjoyed it, went on forever. Until the Lord called them home they’d be there on Sunday night. People don’t make that kind of commitment anymore.”

Sad - so easy to be wrapped up in the world and not serving God!

 

[HeDied4U]

Wow, quite a discussion. Showing the Super Bowl in church sure does stir up emotions.

Our church will be showing the game that night. Since we don't have Sunday evening services, I don't see a problem with it. People can bring friends with if they want, and it's just a nice, relaxed atmosphere for enjoying the game. If anyone lets our pastor know that any unsaved people are there, his plans include giving a gospel presentation during halftime.

 

[tinytim]

So, if you want rock music, or if you want Super Bowl ads that show half naked girls and beer parties on a big screen in God's house, yes, this offends me personally, but think about those who see church as a refuge from the crap in the world? You just turned church into the crap in the world!


Sad - so easy to be wrapped up in the world and not serving God!

Awwww... she said CR*P!!!

http://www.busymom.net/archives/003688.html

Talk about being influenced by the world!...


NOW I am not saying the word CR*P is bad, but read the article I linked too... at one time it was!... and still is in a lot of places...

And if I was a legalist, I could yell... REPENT!

But since I am not a legalist.. All I will say is why is it OK to use a cuss word but not OK for a church to use Sunday evening to reach out to others and fellowship using the Superbowl?

 

[webdog]

Wow, quite a discussion. Showing the Super Bowl in church sure does stir up emotions.

Our church will be showing the game that night. Since we don't have Sunday evening services, I don't see a problem with it. People can bring friends with if they want, and it's just a nice, relaxed atmosphere for enjoying the game. If anyone lets our pastor know that any unsaved people are there, his plans include giving a gospel presentation during halftime.

We are doing something similar, but for the men in the church and who they want to invite. No evening service as well.

 

[webdog]

AMEN! Church shouldn't accomodate the world. Too many churches have given up Sunday night services out of failure.

What a comment!

 

[sag38]

Yes Tim, and another one of our Super Bowl objectors watches "Boston Legal" which, by the way, is a very un-godly show full of illicit sex, homosexuality, and questionable ethics. The Super Bowl is child's play compared to Boston Legal. If it's not good enough for showing in my church then it shouldn't be watched in my Christian home either. But, I too am not a legalist but I will point out a double standard from time to time.

 

[Revmitchell]

In what passage did anyone use secular means in the church to reach out?

 

[tinytim]

Rev, When you say "in the church" are you talking about the building or the people?...

Jesus had a service in a home of a tax collectors..

Of course the "churchy" people of that day complained too.

Paul did on Mars Hill.. .

The NT church had NO buildings pigeon holed for worship.. they met in homes... so there was NO "in the church" if you are talking about the building.

They were IN the world 100% of the time.

 

[Johnv]

Not to mention the fact that Jesus dined with the secular and worldly sinners in their homes all the time. He wasn't afraid to treat them as equals to him.

 

[Dale-c]

Not to mention the fact that Jesus dined with the secular and worldly sinners in their homes all the time. He wasn't afraid to treat them as equals to him.

Equals?
WHere do you find that language?

But you are totally missing the point anyway.
THis has nothing to do with associating with sinners.
THis has to do with turning the church into a sports bar.
And in case you still think I am a legalist, I really like Buffalo Wild Wings, but that is not church.

Here is an idea, why don't we see if we can rent out Buffalo WIld Wings on Sunday morning for a half hour service before the game begin, that way people don't have to wait in line for lunch or miss any of the games.

Seriously, what problem would you have with that?
I don't see how any of you could object with what you have stated before.

 

[Johnv]

Equals? WHere do you find that language?

In 1st century society, when you dined with someone, you were calling them your equal. It was customary to not dine with anyone who was not your equal. Jesus was willfully engaging in that custom when he chose to dine with those with whom he dined.

 

[tinytim]

In 1st century society, when you dined with someone, you were calling them your equal. It was customary to not dine with anyone who was not your equal. Jesus was willfully engaging in that custom when he chose to dine with those with whom he dined.

\
Absolutely true...

 

[tinytim]

Equals?
WHere do you find that language?

But you are totally missing the point anyway.
THis has nothing to do with associating with sinners.
THis has to do with turning the church into a sports bar.
And in case you still think I am a legalist, I really like Buffalo Wild Wings, but that is not church.

Here is an idea, why don't we see if we can rent out Buffalo WIld Wings on Sunday morning for a half hour service before the game begin, that way people don't have to wait in line for lunch or miss any of the games.

Seriously, what problem would you have with that?
I don't see how any of you could object with what you have stated before.

Again.. those that are against this keeps calling the building "the church"

It is impossible to turn "the church" into anything...
for the church is the people.. and if the people want to fellowship together, or evangelize by using the superbowl as an event to win souls.. it has every right....

BTW.. Friday's wings are better!.... LOL

 

[Dale-c]

In 1st century society, when you dined with someone, you were calling them your equal. It was customary to not dine with anyone who was not your equal. Jesus was willfully engaging in that custom when he chose to dine with those with whom he dined.

I see, I misunderstood you and I totally agree on that point.

But that is not at all what we are talking about.
This has nothing to do with eating and drinking with unbelievers but everything to do with the sanctity of the Church.

By the way, several people from our church got together and watched on New Years day and, among other things watched the Rose Bowl.
I have no problem with that.
We did not however cancel a normal service so we could watch a sporting event.