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Seeker Friendly or Compromised Gospel |
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Posted By: greybear
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
When I hear people use the term "seeker friendly" it has a tendency to make me cringe.
Typically I see congregations talking less about God and more about the current world topics.
Music is less about setting a mood of reverence and more about a multi-media entertainment process.
Sin is called error, or our failure to do as well as expected.
God's word in the sermon is replaced with our own non-offensive stories.
A place of worship must be an attractive multi-million dollar social status symbol to lure them in.
Our youth groups become dating circles and youth minsters are buddies in leu of Leaders.
We begin to teach our youth about the world rather than laying a foundation in His word.
When you talk about being seeker friendly, what exactly does that mean?
I ask this in all earnest as this is the phrase I hear the leaders in my own church using more and more each week.
When I look at it, it all just looks like compromise to get "the numbers up" and little of it points to sharing the gospel as it was given to us.
To me it looks like a bad bait and switch campaign at the local appliance store! We are saying, you can be comfortable here, but in fact
we aren't suppose to be comfortable with sin in our lives and in the presence of our God. We aren't "just like everybody else".
Shouldn't they be coming because they are seeking something maybe not so friendly, something not the same as the world?
I would greatly appreciate some insight on why we are set on being "friendly" rather than pursuing and sharing "Truth".
In Christ,
GreyBear
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Posted: 10/26/06 12:11pm - Total Views: 1,734 - Category: Church Administration
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The Gospel according to Rahab - Part 1 - Woman of Faith,
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Blog Tags: friendly,
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nickspacek |
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Posted by:
nickspacek 
(Posted: 10/26/06 5:25pm)
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I answered "No" to the poll, based on your description of "seeker friendly". The way that you lay it out definitely sounds like a poor direction to go.
I think in a lot of situations it boils down to balance, walking the fine line, whatever. Or perhaps who is being reached, in a sense. I'm having trouble putting these thoughts down I guess.... On one hand, there are people who shut down when you are being too aggressive, right? On the other hand, some won't hear the message or may misunderstand it if it is "sugar coated".
So I dunno.  As a youth leader, I think it's important to be a good role model and to lead the kids spiritually, but it can be hard unless you have some sort of connection there. We've only been working at our church for a few years and it's been this year that I've decided to make a good push at being a better friend to the kids and connecting so that I can share with them better. But again, I think it's one of those balance issues.
Anyways, hopefully that was a little on topic.
Nick
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dgerbino |
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Posted by:
dgerbino 
(Posted: 10/26/06 6:58pm)
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I have a different spin. When I think of a "seeker friendly" church, I think of one that "seeks" to be welcoming to ALL walks of life, and non-judgmental. One where someone with tattered clothes wouldn't be made to feel "out of place" or "unwelcome" and one who dresses in 'gothic' attire is also welcomed without judgement, as well as the local doctor or CEO of a company.
Is this attainable? I'm not sure. I would sure hope so ... but also realize that we are all human, and some people will still judge and treat others in ways based on those judgements -- and -- some will be welcoming. I pray that if I'm ever faced with such a circumstance, that I am one of the welcoming -- showing God's unconditional love for them.
That's my two cents!
-Debi
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clayonmyeyes |
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Posted by:
clayonmyeyes
(Posted: 10/27/06 7:21am)
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Strong post GB. I also agree that once we shift the focus to man rather than on God we get into trouble. The key though to me is discernment - i.e. knowing the difference. It´s not always cut and dry unfortunately. Sometimes we end up on the wrong side of our convictions. The way I deal with it is lots of prayer, Bible reading, and regular reevaluation of my (not God´s!) position. I also consult others either through reading or personally. Like you said, don´t ever get too comfortable.
Thanks for the post and grace to you,
Vince
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savedbygrace |
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Posted by:
savedbygrace
(Posted: 11/10/06 3:49pm)
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This is very interesting topic to me as I recently returned to Christ after many years, of following another path. A few weeks ago I began attending a church that might be classified as Seeker Friendly and the jury is still out. Both sermons I heard were pretty worldly and followed the "Stewardship of Life" book and although interesting, were not what I had hoped for. I am taking a intro class about the church on Sunday, so that will give me a chance to ask questions and see if this is where God wants me. To that end, Id like to pose a question. If you were a new believer and were seeking a church home, what would you look for? Also what would you watch out for? I would love to hear your comments, as I'm feeling a bit like a lost sheep these days. God Bless.
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mumbly |
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Posted by:
mumbly
(Posted: 11/15/06 1:26am)
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Hi friend Greybear,
I read your blog today, and I agree wholeheartedly. I think some churches today,
are so afraid of offending, that they are missing the point as to what we are supposed to be doing, as Christians. In all my years as a born again Christian, I never thought we were offending or upsetting folk, by presenting the Gospel to people who were thirsting, for the water of life. Today, in many cases this precious water is being watered down, and presented in a wishy washy way, and folk who are hurting badly in many cases, are not getting the answers that they need, that Christ is the water of life.
We as christians are supposed to be ambassadors for Christ, and to represent Him in a real way. Maybe one of the problems is that the church is taking on some of the worlds P.C. ways, which of course do not reflect the Biblical message of Salvation, to a needy soul.
We are supposed to be the salt of the earth. Matthew 5 v 13
May this be so for His Name's sake. Amen
With Christian love, Mumbly
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rrtyson |
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Posted by:
rrtyson
(Posted: 12/01/06 9:16am)
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Wow... I had no idea that somehow trying reach those who don't know Jesus was such a problem! Looking to tweak how you do things at a church so that others may feel comfortable is not really taking your eyes off God. I don't believe that it is about playing the numbers game, either (in most churches, though I sure that there are exceptions). I can tell you that I don't feel comfortable in some churches or "Christian" organizations, and I have been saved for 14 years. The church is not made to perpetuate itself, it is made to touch people with the love of Christ and to introduce them to their Loving Savior. If that means that we tweak the "dress code" or change up some of our song choices, then I believe that God will honor that.
Blessings,
Rob
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greybear |
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Posted by:
greybear
(Posted: 12/01/06 10:12am)
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rrtyson,
I think the point was to be careful not to follow the wolf in sheep clothing. Changes in dress code and music styles do not anger the Lord, but leaving his Truth out in order make folks comfortable does. I talked with the lead of a worship team of a non-denominational 5000 member church in Michigan. Their stage was 4' off the floor with no steps to the "theater seated" congrgation, when I asked how they handle alter calls, he said "we don't do them because it may make new comers uncomfortable and it would make the service flow awkwardly. We are very much about the performance and just letting folks have fun with the music. In fact we do alot of secular tunes we can just fit in. This way they feel right at home in the worship service, the same as they would anywhere else. Last week we did Money during the offering. There are times when we just skip the message." My friend that is not what God intended worship to be. That is compromise in sheep clothing.
IC,
GB
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prasnhym |
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Posted by:
prasnhym
(Posted: 12/01/06 10:30am)
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 WOW! GB! How very saddening that is to hear! Sounds more like a social Club or something...talk about led astray! Some of us have no idea what is going on out there...we really do need to pray "enlighten the eyes of our understanding"! for everyone.
Blessings to you
Tia
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elizabeth |
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Posted by:
elizabeth
(Posted: 12/01/06 3:34pm)
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Have you ever heard the story to the song Heart of Worship? (I heard this at my youth group)
It was written by Matt Redman because he felt his youth group was getting more focused on the band rather than the worship. He wrote this song and they sang it in the dark with just an acoustic guitar. It must have been an amazing experience!
Our church isn't really small but it's not very big compared to some (we have about 450 people and two services). Our pastor has personal relationships with many of the people in the church and stands by the door before and after services welcoming visitors and people who have been members for years. He likes people to call him "Tom" rather than "Pastor Tom" because he doesn't think that it is his position to be "above" all of us just because he's the pastor. I love his sermons because he actually interacts with the congregation some rather than just talking. He gets to the point and he makes sure his messages fit right with scripture by encouraging the congregation to give him feedback after services. The worship band is just guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums and they don't have any special effects or anything. It's really easy to focus on worship because the band isn't made to be the main thing. We have a balcony but I generally sit with my friend's family near the front. Our youth group focuses a lot on worship and small groups. We have a band but we normally have one of the senior guys playing guitar and we sing. I really love our church and I think we have good focus.
I know how you feel about some churches who focus on people rather than God and it really bugs me.
In Christ,
Elizabeth
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youaregolden |
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Posted by:
youaregolden
(Posted: 01/28/08 1:30pm)
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Papabear,
Even though this blog is old it still is an awesome blog. I am so tired of churches that just cater to the wants of the people instead of the needs. The Word of God is rarely preached anymore and the pastor or worship leaders have become idols.
The teens are just going to youth group, not to learn, but to flirt, and hang out with friends. They aren't taught anything and they are dying out there. My heart goes out to those teens.
Thanks for the wonderful blog!
-Golden 
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I am a Christian(30yrs), husband(17yrs), father(5+), & friend. I'm a ragamuffin sinner saved by Grace. As a Christian, I am a work in progress. I love my wife & kids and believe God intended marriage & parenting to be for a lifetime....
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