Fulton
County Gospel News
Editor: Ted J.
Clarke
Volume 33 Mammoth Spring, AR 72554 June 1999 No. 6
"Now They Shop Around"
by: Terry W. Frizzell
For many years, faithful men have been sounding the alarm at a gradual departure from the truth, which is among us. The day has now come where we can no longer be passive about the battle cry. In many instances the distinctiveness of the church has disappeared. This would be a tremendous blessing if it was because the world was now following the truth, but this is not the case. The distinctiveness is disappearing because the church is becoming more like the world.
On March 21, 1996, an article appeared in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette which is an incredible thermometer for the religious world. There is not enough space to deal with everything in the two-page article, however, there are a few statements which expressed the overall attitude.
Early in the article there was a statement that reveals the purpose for everything involved in the new worship styles. The author wrote: "Across the country, cutting edge churches are retooling more than their outward appearances to attract and keep younger members." The author then continues by giving the solution to which many churches are turning: "Part of the attraction is a contemporary worship service, which often includes a short drama or skit rather than the traditional sermon lasting 20 to 30 minutes. The style targets baby boomers who seek a faster-paced and more entertaining worship experience.
Lest one gets the idea that we are only dealing with denominations, consider the following statement from the preacher who fills the pulpit in a congregation of the Lord's church in Little Rock: [The preacher] "describes the worship services as praise-oriented, designed to make people leave on a high note, not a guilt trip. Don't expect to hear much about the fiery depths of Hades here. Life's too short to feel miserable at church . . ."
The problem has been created because of a lack of knowledge of God's word, much like the days of Hosea (Hosea 4:6). As Christians, we are called to worship God. The New Testament word for worship is "proskuneo," which is defined as "to prostrate oneself in homage." Where in the world does anyone find entertainment in this? Worship, in order to be accepted by God, must be according to His will. Jesus asked the question, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26). The principle behind this passage could also be applied to the tactics of these so-called churches. What good would it do to have all 250 million citizens of the United States as members of the church of Christ if they weren't converted? They might be entertained, but they would still be lost. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for making some "twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Matthew 23:15). They were converting people to something other than the truth.
The reason for these changes is to keep people from leaving. But Jesus didn't change anything because people wouldn't listen (cf. John 6). Jesus knew it would do no good to have large numbers of people, unless you gave them the truth. And I wonder, if people don't hear of the fiery depths of Hades from the preaching of God's Word, where will they hear about it? In actuality, life is too short NOT to know the truth about eternity!
The final statement in this article read: "It used to be if a . . . family moved to town, they would automatically go to the nearest . . . church. Now, they shop around," (denominational name omitted, TWF). Sorry, but true Christians will refuse to become a part of the "church circus." The last time I checked, the Bible still read, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16). The gospel will attract, and the gospel will save. Let's depend on God.