Pushing Forward

I have heard it said far too many times that the world has gone so far astray, and if only the world would come back, that that he church needs to pray for those people to come back to church, etc.  I would just like to say- I vote to stop that.

We have to stop 'trying to get people to come back to  the morals they were at' and start pushing them to leave where they are at in search of higher ground.

I have no problem with traditional churches, so don't kill me for saying this- but churches with huge pipe organs singing "Just As I Am" while the pastor yells that the congregation needs to avoid things like movies and music because the world is going to hell in a hand basket- those kinds of churches are extremely ineffective.

Why?  Because the world is going to hell.  And why would a lost person in their 20's (or even 30's), want to walk into a stuffy room and sing songs written by dead guys?

It is all about relevance.  The Gospel doesn't change, its message holds true each and every day.  But the world around it is changing daily.  The methods of getting the Gospel into the hands of the people needs to stay relevant.  Once you get the people in, the Gospel and power of God will take care of the rest.

The church has changed with the times in order to effectively reach people.  There was a time with music was not used, and songs took the form of chants.  The chants were the same Scriptures we read and quote today, it was just a different way of reaching.  When hymns were introduced (Oh no- I am talking about hymns!), church members were outraged at the fact that instruments were being used.  The church split over using drums looks like more of a 'misunderstanding' when compared to these splits!  But the point is- the church has changed in order to effectively reach people, but in changing the way it reached people- it didn't change the Gospel!

Now- this isn't a bashing session on traditional church.  My wife loves traditional church, and I, while it is not my style, appreciate everything its given us.  I enjoy traditional services occasionally, and just like contemporary or modern services- when they are done well.  This post isn't saying we should do away with traditional churches- because, for some people, the relevant thing is tradition.  What this post is saying is that we need to stop praying that the world would walk into our stuffy, judging building, get off of our butts and do something!


Would a lost person want to walk into your church building?  Or would they feel so judged and so tired of being told how terrible they were that they would sprint out of there like a gazelle from a lion.

Pastors and church leaders- ask yourself if you are effectively reaching the lost.  Christians- think about ways you can reach the lost in your day to day life!  Jesus didn't have a church building with a weekly service, He was out in the community, sharing as it came up.

We can change the world.  If you want to.