For a Christian church to grow today.....a particular congregation.....they feel that they must add some excitement.....bright colors.....lights......sounds.....laughter.....smiles. This isn't an invention of evangelicalism.....for American culture has led the way. To be really successful.....for the middle class anyway.....one has live in a bright and well-manicured gated community.....with a recreational building and a pool. I've been to one Pittsburgh Pirate game in that past almost half century.....and it was nothing like what I grew up with as a kid where fans had their scorecards and pencils out.....and there were at least a few Catholic nuns in every section. It was date night behind me.....fireworks above me.....and pirogi races on the field.
The milquetoast Bible study and exercise program is perfect for the Christian woman of today to appear spiritual yet fit nicely into seamless Yoga pants. A good parent makes sure that their child is involved in a sports program for every season.....thus the SUV is replacing the sedan....as the theater seat has replaced the pew. The church picked up on this as a vibrant youth program is a must for a growing congregation. Billy Graham's revival tent has been replaced by the 'big tent theory'.....where everyone can feel comfortable.....and where no one is offended. What we are seeing here are Christians moving from smaller churches to bigger more exciting churches....and where Bed Bath & Beyond has replaced the Christian bookstore for our needs.
This type of church growth will not help the overall church.....in fact it hurts the church.....and therefore America. It's window dressing that hides the unseemly family secret where a bloody cross is buried somewhere under the drum set. The only warnings that you will get in church is that the latte machine makes a really hot brew.....and the only preparation you will be encouraged in involves fitness for the coming softball season.
We were once an ark but have become an arcade. We don't need color spotlights.....or Dolby sound systems. We need a reintroduction on what the Bible says about joy. We need the bloody cross that led to a risen Savior.....and we need warnings on what we have become....and what is to come.
The milquetoast Bible study and exercise program is perfect for the Christian woman of today to appear spiritual yet fit nicely into seamless Yoga pants. A good parent makes sure that their child is involved in a sports program for every season.....thus the SUV is replacing the sedan....as the theater seat has replaced the pew. The church picked up on this as a vibrant youth program is a must for a growing congregation. Billy Graham's revival tent has been replaced by the 'big tent theory'.....where everyone can feel comfortable.....and where no one is offended. What we are seeing here are Christians moving from smaller churches to bigger more exciting churches....and where Bed Bath & Beyond has replaced the Christian bookstore for our needs.
This type of church growth will not help the overall church.....in fact it hurts the church.....and therefore America. It's window dressing that hides the unseemly family secret where a bloody cross is buried somewhere under the drum set. The only warnings that you will get in church is that the latte machine makes a really hot brew.....and the only preparation you will be encouraged in involves fitness for the coming softball season.
We were once an ark but have become an arcade. We don't need color spotlights.....or Dolby sound systems. We need a reintroduction on what the Bible says about joy. We need the bloody cross that led to a risen Savior.....and we need warnings on what we have become....and what is to come.
