Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Lights

[1Corinth2v4]

My intent isn't to degrade those that utilize these methods. However, I'm wanting to understand the drive behind your motive.


I'll boldly state I disapprove of colored lights, smoke machines, and strobe bright lights being utilized at any youth/adult event.

I've studied their origin, and you'll mostly find these instruments within a night club.

I hope we can a civilized dialog after my questions have been asked.


1) What are your motives behind bringing these instruments into the church?


2) What do you believe these instruments would accomplish for youth or adults?


3) Are you trying to create a club/concert atmosphere for people? (understanding 99% percent of these instruments are utilized at a club/concert)


4) Are you trying to infuse the church with the world's utensils for attraction?


5) What ever happen to plainly preaching the word without utilizing any form of club/concert attraction?


7) Is your message "living for God is cool"?


8) Do you feel your colored lights, smoke machines, strobe light concert filled Christian rock music can accomplish more than a regular lit building, with a preacher preaching and a sovereign move of God?

[MikeinAR]

Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.

My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by MikeinAR

Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.

My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?

Marijuana might make kids more open to the message, too!

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Marijuana might make kids more open to the message, too!

Tim-may!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AmericanAngel]

Originally Posted by cneasttx

Tim-may!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tyk]

I don't support any of these either. I feel they are all carnel means to get a fleshly reaction.

Is it impossible to worship God with those things taking place? no

Infact, what is beautiful to me is when people worship and pray without any music or cheerleading (being pushed by a preacher or worship "leader"). Nothing wrong with music, as long it's in its rightful place. Didn't mean to change the subject, just wanted add that in !

[Rico]

Originally Posted by MikeinAR

Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.

My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?

Paul used some pretty strange methods himself, ya know. He used an altar that had "To The Unknown God" and preached Jesus. He appealed to Ceasar, undoubtedly knowing it would mean he'd stay jailed, just so he could preach Jesus. Using unconventional methods isn't anything new.

[MikeinAR]

Originally Posted by Rico

Paul used some pretty strange methods himself, ya know. He used an altar that had "To The Unknown God" and preached Jesus. He appealed to Ceasar, undoubtedly knowing it would mean he'd stay jailed, just so he could preach Jesus. Using unconventional methods isn't anything new.

I would agree that Paul, to a point was unconventional. I'm not sure that he opened up a mosh pit on cell block 3 for all willing participants.

I believe in the church being on the cutting edge of darkness and light, but in the past 2 years I've been to some "christian rock" concerts where the crowd acted more insane than any country concert or most pop group crowd would.

Far be it from me to jump in the midst of all that smoke and haze and head banging to remind anyone that they're worshipping a Holy God, but I just wonder where the line is drawn sometimes? Is everything open for use?

I'm sure we could draw a huge crowd by having a "swimming" Sunday complete with cold sodas, hot dogs and swimming after the message, but would it make good sense to have a mixed crowd of half naked people come and hear the gospel in that setting? I'm not condemning any church or youth group that has strobe lights and heavy metal christian rock, I just wonder where the line will be drawn when my 4 year old is a teenager.

[1Corinth2v4]

Originally Posted by Rico

Paul used some pretty strange methods himself, ya know. He used an altar that had "To The Unknown God" and preached Jesus. He appealed to Ceasar, undoubtedly knowing it would mean he'd stay jailed, just so he could preach Jesus. Using unconventional methods isn't anything new.

Here is What Paul preached on Mars Hill:


Acts 17:

24) “God that made the world and all things therein” (Paul preached God’s power by proclaiming “God made all things”)

27) “if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:” (Paul proclaims God is everywhere, He is omnipresent, He is not far from everyone of us)

31) “in the which he will judge the world in righteousness” & “he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Paul preached the coming judgment and God's Resurrection power)


In Athens Paul uses an altar dedicated to an unknown God to preach the gospel, he didn't build the altar. If I was to follow Paul's example, I would come to a Christian concert and preach "brethren, God isn't found within colored lights and smoke machines."


Also notice, Paul preached the gospel without enticing attractions.

[Narrow Is The Way]

Originally Posted by Rico

Paul used some pretty strange methods himself, ya know. He used an altar that had "To The Unknown God" and preached Jesus. He appealed to Ceasar, undoubtedly knowing it would mean he'd stay jailed, just so he could preach Jesus. Using unconventional methods isn't anything new.

Yeah but the Apostle Pauls methods weren't a silly rip-off of what the world is promoting.