You can read the whole article here.I personally am comfortable with the need for churches to use marketing to make people aware of them. I think it's helpful in reaching the younger generation to have a good website, podcasts, and maybe even a nice logo. Using slides and powerpoint can really help connect with people who are visual learners. I'm also a fan of having upbeat, joyful singing and energetic speakers. We should be able to leave a worship service feeling like we worshiped.
But having people in costumes in the worship assembly jump around, raising the roof, and dancing to the music definitely makes me feel like a line is being crossed. Worship in so many congregations continues to try and compete with our entertainment-driven culture. I'm always left wondering, "What's next?"In talking about the argument of how to interpret silence in scripture, I always mentioned using soda and cheeseburgers at communion as an example of something so absurd that everyone would agree it was improper. But now, what I thought was an absurd idea doesn't sound that far out. I can totally see these churches using grape soda and fresh hot cheese bread to make communion more exciting. Obviously, they've decided that the Scriptural ideas for worship aren't good enough.
I kind of hesitate to even make this post, because the last time I pointed out something I thought was utterly ridiculous in a local denomination, I started getting angry e-mails and messages from them, trying to argue with me. I'm not looking for a fight. I'm just saying that this is totally contrary with how Paul said assemblies are supposed to be.
Those who disagree with me are welcome to think whatever they want to think.
It's news like this that makes me start to feel like an old man. Right? I mean, I could just imagine Dr. Lambert saying what you just said...
ReplyDelete"But having people in costumes in the worship assembly jump around, raising the roof..."
This is wrong. It's just flat-out wrong. It is artificial & completely foreign to the Spirit of God.
It is an abomination that leads to desolation!
Okay, that last one was a joke. But basically I'm with you. I don't like it.
The abomination that causes desolation was involving sacrificing a pig to a god inside God's temple. So if someone makes the "Praise Him Porky" outfit, we'll know they're a step closer in that direction. :-)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think it would liven up church service a LOT! Imagine, if you will, that the worship begins...
ReplyDeleteThe lights dim, the strobes come on, fog machines set the atmosphere... And the announcer/worship leader's voice comes over the speakers:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, Christians of all ages... welcome to the main events. Are.... YOU... READY?..."
We could do a halftime show, complete with Modest is Hottest Dancers in the aisles, sell over-priced concession items (it will help with our tithing situation), and have our mascots shoot t-shirts into the audience of worshipers.
Plus, I would give anything to see the chicken dance to liven up the boring parts of the sermon.
Personally, I think this is a HUGE selling point for Christianity. I've even got two possible contenders:
1. The Lions of Judah -- although we would have to deal with the whole "Satan goes around like a roaring lion..." idea
2. The Lambs of God
I explored the website...are you sure it's not a fake website like the Onion? Everything on there was ridiculous. If it is true, it is absurd!!
ReplyDeleteI had wondered if it could be fake...but then again, a lot of the churches they mention are real churches! I have a friend who's going to AR some time soon, and he's going to go visit Valley Baptist in Little Rock, to see if it's true.
ReplyDeletetrue...haha, post an update if your friend sees Tony the Tiger! I've been to Valley Baptist in Searcy, but not in LR.
ReplyDelete