Thursday, December 6, 2007

Friends in Low Places

This is a tidbit from Newspring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. Newspring is part of the new breed of mega-church which entices people to come with all the trappings of entertainment. Perry Noble, the pastor of Newspring was in a series called "American Idol" when this song was performed. How innovative.

I get criticized when I call attention to such foolishness but what are we to do? Are we to be silent? Are we supposed to lay back and surrender to pragmatism and the idolatry of the crowd?

Friends, what we win people with is what we win them to. If we "win" people with a show then it is a show that they will expect. If we "win" them with positive thinking, self-help, use the Bible sparingly types of messages then that is what they will expect. We may produce attenders with such approaches but there will be precious few converts.

Perhaps Jason can kick things off at Metro East this week with "Whiskey River" by Willie Nelson.

5 comments:

case.jess said...

If you thought that was bizarre, you should watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5S38LpMgu0

toothdoc said...

What about a good Rush song - oh wait. . .that's like asking for a deep theological Olsteen sermon ;)

Todd Pruitt said...

Ric,

You've stepped over the line. You know you can't insult Rush on this blog. Just for that I'm going to send you their latest box set.

thatbradguy said...

i wonder how you would suggest Matthew 18 plays into how we should address issues like this that we see in the church?

Todd Pruitt said...

thatbradguy,

It is appropriate for public goofy-ness to be addressed in a public way. This is particularly true if someone has been corrected numerous times in private conversations but has refused counsel.

When a church makes widely available practices that many of us feel are disastrous for the church and dishonoring to God then calls for repentance and reform must be public.