What if our Appeal is Appalling?

[Hoovie]

I have given some thought to our presentation of Christianity and how we project the gospel to the lost by how we "do church".

Are we really reaching across the spectrum of our society? Or is it simply a segment that find our special niche attractive?

It seems the primary attraction of Pentecostalism has often been the exuberant congregants who enthusiastically recite stories of their radical transformation. Their rejection of what was perceived a stoic Christian religion often preceded their conversion and embrace of Pentecostalism. They eagerly embrace the idea that quieter churches and those who worship liturgically are in fact "dead churches". They are attracted to the total abandon shockamoo style of worship and seem quick to denigrate those who see less virtue in the same.

Having a jam session and headbangin worship may be kewl to some, but to most? Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?

My question is, "What if one is not appealed to the way church is done"?

What if one really does not find total abandon attractive?

What if one does not see the virtue of a solemn liturgical service?

Is there outreach to those who aren't already wired like us?

Does it matter? Is it God Himself who sets the tone/style or do we have an actual responsibility to design our services and worship experience?

Is it our duty to find what is most attractive and acceptable in the society we live in?

Some have broadened their scope by have various services with different styles in each.

How far should the church go the be appealing to all peoples?

Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?

[Hoovie]

I would submit that today the traditional Pentecostal Style is appealing to some, but appalling to many.

[missourimary]

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

[missourimary]

I agree, Hoovie. And it's very sad. Even amongst Pentecostals, there are many who do not like this church or that one because... so I'd venture to say that we are appalling to many even within our own ranks...

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I have given some thought to our presentation of Christianity and how we attempt to project the gospel to the lost.

Are we really reaching across the spectrum of our society? Or is it simply a segment that find our special niche attractive?

It seems the primary attraction of Pentecostalism has often been the exuberant congregants who enthusiastically recite stories of their radical transformation. Their rejection of what was perceived a stoic Christian religion often preceded their conversion and embrace of Pentecostalism. They eagerly embrace the idea that quieter churches and those who worship liturgically are in fact "dead churches". They are attracted to the total abandon shockamoo style of worship and seem quick to denigrate those who see less virtue in the same.

Having a jam session and headbangin worship may be kewl to some, but to most? Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?

My question is, "What if one is not appealed to the way church is done"?

What if one really does not find total abandon attractive?

What if one does not see the virtue of a solemn liturgical service?

Does it matter? Is it God Himself who sets the tone/style or do we have an actual responsibility to design our services and worship experience?

Is it our duty to find what is most attractive and acceptable in the society we live in?

Some have broadened their scope by have various services with different styles in each.

How far should the church go the be appealing to all peoples?

Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?

Just ask Richard Dawkins, and Sam Harris.

Some of what we deem church is wee bit horrific. Walk into a Kingdom Hall and they are teaching the people how to debate housewives.

Walk into a Charismatic church and the women are manly, and the men are sensitive to your feelings.

People falling backwards, smacking their coconuts on the floor, or having professional catchers save the swooners.

People grunting, or letting out a blood curdling scream that would make you jump a foot into the air.

Oh, and then comes the money time. Yes, the time when the 'coin' get thrown into the silken sock, or the brass plate. Guilting souls to give, especially when you have a sock bearer just hang the velvet sock under the visitor's nose. Now, before we start saying amen, and down with offerings, they are necessary, but begging and guilt should not be a part of anyone's experience.

In Jesus' name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I would submit that today the traditional Pentecostal Style is appealing to some, but appalling to many.

Brother, people like services that use little to no Bible, and no one gets too excited. Joel Olsteen has his entertainment down to a science, and works through every inch of his program. If it was supposed to be so user friendly then Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul wouldn't of told us to repent. Now silliness and outright outrageous behavior is another story. It runs from pole to pole.

From traditional Pentecostal (some not all) to mainstream Charismatic (some not all). Religion is a funny thing, it attracts all kinds and some people who come really don't want anything more but to put on a show for one and all.

In Jesus' name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I have given some thought to our presentation of Christianity and how we project the gospel to the lost by how we "do church".

Are we really reaching across the spectrum of our society? Or is it simply a segment that find our special niche attractive?

It seems the primary attraction of Pentecostalism has often been the exuberant congregants who enthusiastically recite stories of their radical transformation. Their rejection of what was perceived a stoic Christian religion often preceded their conversion and embrace of Pentecostalism. They eagerly embrace the idea that quieter churches and those who worship liturgically are in fact "dead churches". They are attracted to the total abandon shockamoo style of worship and seem quick to denigrate those who see less virtue in the same.

Having a jam session and headbangin worship may be kewl to some, but to most? Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?

My question is, "What if one is not appealed to the way church is done"?

What if one really does not find total abandon attractive?

What if one does not see the virtue of a solemn liturgical service?

Is there outreach to those who aren't already wired like us?

Does it matter? Is it God Himself who sets the tone/style or do we have an actual responsibility to design our services and worship experience?

Is it our duty to find what is most attractive and acceptable in the society we live in?

Some have broadened their scope by have various services with different styles in each.

How far should the church go the be appealing to all peoples?

Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?

This particular subject is one of the dominant subjects of my life. Good subject.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Brother, people like services that use little to no Bible, and no one gets too excited. Joel Olsteen has his entertainment down to a science, and works through every inch of his program. If it was supposed to be so user friendly then Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul wouldn't of told us to repent. Now silliness and outright outrageous behavior is another story. It runs from pole to pole.

I'm watching some of these The Rock Church broadcasts and they have it down to a science as well.......

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I would submit that today the traditional Pentecostal Style is appealing to some, but appalling to many.

And it's not just the pentecostal genre, Hoovie. It's most all Americanized cultured Christianity. It's the tone as much as the style.

Here's something Erwin McManus said:

"What is really needed in the church today is not so much a change in music, although that may need to change.....not so much a change in the decor, although that may need to change. It's not so much a change in how we look, and we may very well need to change how we look.

But the real change that's needed within the church is a change from the posture of spiritual arrogance to one of spiritual humility.....a change from "The church is not here for us, the church is here for the world."

[revrandy]

We have grown in the last year probably by 20%...the Church is Rockin' Folks are being won to the Lord...Preaching is Anointed..Folks are looking for Folks that are commited to serving God...It's working for us...