More on relevance...
In the Five on Faith section on the Religion page on Saturdays, I ask readers their opinions on a variety of topics. Last week I asked, "The World Council of Churches said this week mainstream Christian churches are at a crossroad and must make changes or risk losing their relevance. Do you agree or disagree? Why?"
(This week's question is at the end of the responses on the Religion page.)
Here's what some of you had to say:
"I do believe churches must change with the times. One must always be relevant to the population," said Allen Tate.
"Churches must welcome modern praise music because that is what the Christian generation of today listens to. For the most part, it is music that worships God with a modern beat. Churches must also look for ways to keep young minds occupied and adults interested in being a part of the local church. Churches must be a place where people can come and be loved and feel at home. Church should be a place where we love the sinner, but not the sin. It is a place where, through God's word, we learn to live as God intended. A place where character is built. A place where our spiritual needs are met.
"However, if churches steer away from what the Bible teaches, then they have lost their relevance as a place to worship God and study what the Bible teaches us about how to live our lives. Churches should not compromise biblical teaching in order to attract members, or bow to political pressure to install leaders in the church that do not live according to God's Word. What are they teaching the world, if they do this? That God's word has no meaning, that it is not true?
"The church must be a place of refuge and also a place for worshiping God and submitting to God's direction for our lives. We must not loose sight of God's purpose for the church as we try to bring people into our churches and be relevant for a modern people."
-- Allen Tate, Greensboro
"If not they should be concerned!
"In my opinion most organized religions have lost their focus. Many are out of touch with the times and needs of the people. It appears to me that the focus has shifted from the people to business and politics. Gaining wealth for the different denominations appears to be a higher priority than the needs of those in the church and community. This could not be anymore apparent than a recent trip to Southport, NC. Near Southport is Fort Caswell and has been owned by the Baptist Church since the late 40's. Some estimates, because of the location, claim that this piece of property may be worth $500 million to a $1 billion. Just think about the number of kids that could be educated and the emergency medical care that could be provided with this type of funds. This is only one piece of property in one state. How many more are just like it throughout the U.S? All tax free!
"It's wrong in my opinion!"
-- Robert Bedwell, Greensboro
Comments (1)
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Hammer. Nail. Head.
As for worship, rather, style of worship is an irrelevant discussion. That is a personnal taste issue that has sadly caused more fruitless discussion than need be. There will always be those that desire a piano and hymnal, those that desire a pop band sound, and everything else in between and on the fringe-edge.
Does the church that has a piano need to buy an electric guitar to be "relevant"? 'course not, 'cause they'll alienate some current worshippers, so what has really been gained?
Souls not goals.
Posted on May 20, 2005 10:00 PM