I need some help in understanding something I have seen in a group of people that meet in Shreveport/Bossier City in a church capacity.
Here is the post on Facebook from a friend of mine:
It was a check-in..."A little Van Halen to start out the services...@______ Church.
a friend asks, "Really?"
reply: "um...yeah...week before last it was Kenny Rogers - Gambler, last week it was Journey and this week- Van Halen!! There's a reason and purpose behind every song! Yall should come visit sometime! You'd love love love love it!!!!"
Is it ever acceptable in a Church to glorify such? I am about as level headed as it comes when you talk about tolerating certain things but isn't this a little much?
I have spoken to the pastor of this group many times and he is very nice and he warned me that every service begins with a secular song. He said it would probably be the one complaint I would here but it was for the purpose of making those attending feel more comfortable.
Are there other ways to make people feel more comfortable that are less worldly? Is there another option or is this a direct affront to the cause of Christ and what he designed for his Churches?
Just curious about your opinions...I for one think it crosses a line.
Is our goal to make people "comfortable" or to bring God glory? Answer that question and everything else SHOULD fall into place.
ReplyDeleteYou said you needed help understanding something. You then asked questions. I'm supposing these aren't rhetorical and call for an answer? If so, I'll give it a shot in the most unbiased way I can.
ReplyDelete[b]"Is it ever acceptable in a Church to glorify such?"[/b]
If you mean glorifying the music - as in shedding good light on them, I'd probably say no. These type of musicians I guess are ones who play musics with awful lyrics about drugs, fornication, alcohol, etc. If these are songs with nothing at all "bad" in them, and singers who aren't known to live that kind of lifestyle, I suppose I'd have no problem with people having a time of fellowship with it. In the New Testament, times of fellowship and celebration were common among the church as they were a close knit family. They probably got together to celebrate many secular or social things without turning them into times of worship. That being said, they most likely did not listen to or sing music of a sinful theme.
For example: We might be able to play classical music, elevator music, or many of the older songs which aren't "Christian" but aren't of worldly themes either for times of fellowship which can be designated on days other than Sunday/Wednesday, or even before or after worship.
[b]I am about as level headed as it comes when you talk about tolerating certain things but isn't this a little much?[/b]
Not sure what you are asking. I guess so.
[b]Are there other ways to make people feel more comfortable that are less worldly?[/b]
If we would be REAL, as in genuine people and not pretend we are un-human, I think people would feel much more comfortable. Too many pretend to be something they aren't on Sunday and Wednesdays. For some churches, they pretend to be rich by their clothing and many are uncomfortable in that setting. For other churches, they pretend to be sinless by being so concerned about the appearances and sins of others (like nose rings or hats) when all God cares about for those lost visitors is salvation. For others, it's those who pretend to be so "holy" and play church, people see this and know the truth. This is not God's plan for worship. Lastly, if we had a church who was a REAL family that functioned as a church more than a few hours a week, perhaps this would make others feel far more comfortable - like they are walking into a place of love instead of a loosely joined group of strangers who barely know one another.
[b]Is there another option or is this a direct affront to the cause of Christ and what he designed for his Churches?[/b]
I don't know that it is meant to be an attack on his churches. I think it is intended to do exactly what the man(men) told you. To make folks feel welcome. It is a pure motive. It is just going about it the wrong way.
While I'd never recommend it, and I'd never do it myself, I would caution us however to admit there is nothing about such a thing in the Bible so all of this is our speculation or putting together principles and relies heavily on our understanding of years of study and experience. It probably isn't any more evil or wicked in God's eyes as are those who come to church weekly without actually worshiping. Both are vile, and let us pray we will all actually seek God's when entering church capacity. Jesus promised to meet with us, but we may never know He is there if we don't seek Him.
If I stood up in a pulpit and preached a sermon about how to play and win at poker, Grace Pointe would run me out of the building... and rightfully so. I see no difference in that, and playing a song about Gambling for entertainment purposes.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord's house is to be a house of prayer, worship and learning. It is not to be defiled with worldly entertainment. Plain and simple. The power of God unto salvation is the Gospel, not our ability to relate to people by making worldly things the utensils of worship.