It seems as if most days, I am obsessively listening to about 8 different podcasts throughout the day. Normally they’re on 2X speed so everyone sounds slightly crazy but it’s much faster. As I wash dishes or get breakfast ready or fold laundry (etc.), I’m listening to someone, whether it’s Heidi St. John, The Briefing with Albert Mohler, The Just Thinking Podcast, Sheologians, The Freemind Podcast, Larry Elder, Kevin McCullough – they’re just all SO GOOD!
But every once in a while, for one reason or the other (i.e. my children nab my phone), I leave the phone behind and just think and pray. I did that the other day when I went for a walk with the twins. That walk gave me a bit of clarity over something I’ve been struggling with.
I started thinking about the difference between seeker-friendly and seeker-sensitive churches. It may seem like semantics, but there is a big difference between the two (which I’ll get to in a minute). My thinking led me to ponder how often church is likened to a social club. This led me to think about how clubs and associations, in general, are run. That’s where I had my epiphany.
New Club Members
When a club has a new member, you know what they don’t do? They don’t water down or change what their plans were for their meeting. They do the meeting, and although the newbie may have no idea what’s going on, that person eventually understands. The newbie is given materials to study and possibly a mentor to help them out, but eventually, he/she assimilates. Same for a new employee. The entire organization doesn’t stop going after the goals of their business in order to make any “new employee” more comfortable.
It may seem confusing at first and frustrating, but if that employee believes in the foundational tenets of that organization, that employee will eventually learn what they need to do and conform to how things are done. Or they’ll end up leaving. That’s just how it goes, right?
Seeker-Sensitive Churches
And that brought me to my epiphany: Why are things so different in many seeker-sensitive churches? The point of the church is not to evangelize (for example, in the list of requirements of an overseer or deacon of the church (1 Tim 3), “evangelist” is not listed), but it’s to build up the body of Believers. Therefore why are these churches continually serving up “milk” to their congregants rather than the “meat” they so desperately need?
Obviously, when we’re new to our faith and our relationship with Christ, milk is what we need for a time. But this is not supposed to be forever! Why do we, as the church, avoid any topic that is in the least bit controversial in secular circles but clear as day according to the will and Word of God? No one wants to shrink the church. However, since the church is NOT a business, we need to also keep in mind that the size of the church is not nearly as important as preaching the Word of God to the people of God. If people want to leave, OK.
To be clear, I’m not trying to downplay the importance of growth in numbers; however, what’s much more important is preaching the Truth of God and helping the Body navigate life in, oftentimes, a hostile culture. Spiritual growth trumps physical growth. Always.
Seeker-Friendly Churches
In comparison, seeker-friendly churches are what every church should strive to be. Every church should be friendly to anyone and everyone who darkens the door of a church. Praise the LORD for the lost who are looking for Truth. But as I’ve said in other posts, there is no reason to change the message or avoid certain topics in order not to push away the seekers in the congregation. If it’s God’s Truth, there should be no fear in speaking to it. God’s Truth is the same yesterday, today, and always.
The culture continually morphs and changes direction. But the one thing that should never change or be amended in order not to offend is the Word of God. Newsflash – the Gospel is offensive. It’s going to happen. If it drives some away, so be it. Our presentation of the gospel is obviously important. We should always remove any unnecessary impediments that may get in the way of sharing the gospel with others. But to hide or minimize or amend the Truth for the sake of bringing someone to Christ based on rainbows and sunshine and a feigned inclusion based on the current culture, is just foolishness.
Believers
We should know better. We DO know better. Especially now, we need to not be ashamed of the Gospel and all that it entails. God’s Word is true and good. The unloving thing to do is not share the entire Truth of Scripture, especially when the culture is so adamantly attacking the foundations of Scripture. Is there prudence in not doing a Truth dump? Of course! However, we need to also not mince words when necessary.
For far too long, Christians have wanted to be liked by others more than wanted to be light to others. We all want to be liked, but never at the expense of sharing the Truth of Scripture.
Amen?
