I’m tired of all hoopla and buzz offered up by the church going world. Acting as if they are truly interested in the “unchurched.” Many seminars are more about building up the church than loving those who are not part of the community of faith.
Check out the typical fare in many of the program oriented seminars on how to reach those who are most commonly referred to as “The lost” (It’s “us vs. them” people)
(my comments in italics)
“This unique,
practical and impacting seminar includes the following:
1. Creating Kingdom Culture - A culture of
evangelism
(What is the mission of the church again . . . to
love people?)
2. Understanding unchurched thinking
(Acknowledgment that we have minimal
relationships outside our sub-culture)
3. Creating our message to connect with
unbelievers (a message where they see the benefits)
(Consumerist mentality – “our
product’ contradicts #1)
4.
What gathers unbelievers - and brings
them to your church
(Come to us as we WILL NOT go to you.)
5. Turning Christian events into a true
outreach events.
(Programs, programs: No relationships evident)
6. Ways to build community profile
without spending any money.
(We are too in debt keeping the organization
afloat)
7. Building great relationships with
local media outlets.
(Advertising : See Consumerist mentality again)
8. Obtaining major media
publicity (newspapers, radio and TV) for my church or ministry for FREE
(Repeat Above)
9. How to write a media release that
works”
(Repeat Above)
The
first three items are about indoctrinating people to the need for looking
outside the church. A noble effort but then the focus shifts.
Items
4-9 are more about bringing “them” (the consumers of religion) to the church. This demonstrates the lack of true
relationship with those of differing opinion and points of view. These items
are more centered on the church as a social institution and how to build
visibility.
Wake
up people, the church is an irrelevant institution to most people in our
society.
If
we actually and honestly loved people seminars like those typified above would
be out of business.
If
more than 20% of the people who attend church would actually put their faith
into practice and do more than speak about it - - - the Church would naturally become relevant to
people in our society.
IF
WE LOVE OTHERS
AS CHRIST LOVED OTHERS
THE WORLD WOULD CHANGE
Seems
idealistic eh?
Would you Die for this Simple Ideal?
Will you die to yourself?
Can
you live your faith every moment of the Day?
Come and try with me no matter how much we may fail at times.
I am with you
....oh, crap i am a pastor
but i am with you anyway
Posted by: dAve wainscott | 14 September 2008 at 07:10 AM
Thanks, double crap. . . I am a pastor as well.
Posted by: Darren | 17 October 2008 at 02:53 AM