The triumph of a festival over THE Festival
"...the leadership of a supposed Christian congregation, a very large one, is saying that there is NO duty to worship God the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus on the weekly celebration of the resurrection in late December. What may be called the secular understanding of Christmas – family get together for a holiday celebration – has triumphed and the assembly of Christians is closed down on that day which is this year, nothing less than the Lord’s Day. (And the same is happening in many similar churches of the Willow Creek type across the USA.)"The practice of being user-friendly, relevant and “with it” has here clearly triumphed over the clear teaching of the New Testament... (these churches) are so committed to Christmas as a public holiday and general family get-to-together that they are ready to close down their church on the festival day, even if that day is the day of days, the festival of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead." Peter Toon, When Christmas triumphs over the Lord’s Day.
posted by Chad Richard Bresson at 12/19/2005 12:30:00 PM
8 Comments:
Would anyone expect any more than this? Why be different in your philosophy on any other weekend of the year. These "church growth and supermarket oriented churches have lost their complete identity and biblical purpose. Sunday means nothing to them. They offer church "at your convenience" on either Saturday nights, Sunday's or Monday nights"...you just work it in whenever it is convenient. I have a friend who goes to church on Monday nights...says it frees up my Sunday to "get things done."
He attends a huge one here in the Orlando area "the First Church of what's happening now!" as I call it. This same man, not long ago asked me would I consider holding a Bible study with him here at work. "I'm tired of not getting anything at church!" WOW. He said, could we have something "relevant" like a study about work ethics? I said sure! We had one "intro" and that was it. The Word of God was too narrow for him. He said that is why I left the traditional church, the Bible is too legalistic. I guess that tells the story. "Itching ears" but filled with "void".
Pretty soon those "traditional" churches preaching the Word are going to be prohibited by the government because of the "hate crimes" laws that are being slowly introduced into legislation. One day we may be arrested for the "Truth of the Word" under the guise of hate crimes, it's comin sooner than we think. Should be interesting times.
Personally, I think it could come over the issue of "membership" or exclusion of gays and/or lesbians. First step would be to remove the tax exemption for any churches that discriminate. In that case giving sad to say might go dramatically down...and these mega churches will have to show themselves for who they really are. Especially for those who attempt to immitate and are caught up in the church growth movement will have to make some tough decisions. I now have this huge facility, I need to find some wiggle room in my theology because SOMEONE has to pay those bills for those huge complexes. Just some thoughts.... Dad Bresson
Personally, I don't know that it boils down to the homosexuality issue. They are such a minority that their presence or absence isn't going to have any kind of an effect on the attendance numbers one way or the other.
The church growth movement plays to the comfort level of the consumer, and as a result, "enjoys" the results of playing to that comfort level.
BUT.. "IF THE GOVERNMENT/COURTS" makes an issue... that is when issues such as "homosexuality" will come to the forefront. That is how the minorities get their way, position and definitiveness.
It was the megachurches here in Ohio that fueled passage of the marriage amendment here in Ohio. Megachurches are not considered "gay-friendly" by the gay community, at least in these parts.
I'm gonna have to side with Dad B. on this one, the homosexuality issue is at the forefront. Yes they are actually a small minority, but they have the media, hollywood, schools, courts and the majority of mind molding outlets brainwashing the country into accepting their lifestyle as a minority that needs protection, to the point of "hate crime" legislation. It truly blows my mind, but I guess it doesnt surprise me. Preaching against the homosexual lifestyle may soon become a crime, among other things.
Hmmm? Now that I think of it Chuck, the Lord may lay something on your heart to preach about one day in the future, and you'll have to ponder the possiblility of being arrested, or just move on to a passage that's a little more "todays church" and non-confrontational. Think about that.
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