Church – is it for believers or seekers?
ByAndy Stanley was the guest speaker at our church this weekend and while I really appreciated his message and what he had to say, there were some things he said that I didn’t totally agree with. I don’t know if I just didn’t get what he was trying to say or if he really meant it the way I took it.
The point of the message was that there is a place for everyone at church – it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, there is a place for you. I wholeheartedly agree with that. Everyone should be welcomed when they step into a church.
The part that I had a problem with was at the beginning. He started his sermon by saying that local churches need to be careful about not making church a place for “church people” – an “insider” thing – that they shouldn’t do things or say things that might make someone who has never been in church uncomfortable, that we need to make sure that we don’t use language that these same people would not be able to understand, and things like that.
This is where I disagree with him. It seems to me that the main function of the church is for believers to gather in order to worship God and fellowship with one another. It’s a time to come together each week and refocus ourselves and make sure that we are living as God wants us to be. It’s a time for teaching and learning but most of all – for worshipping.
While I believe that taking people to church is a fabulous thing to do and great way to try to evangelize, I don’t believe that churches should be designed for unbelievers. Yes, we need to take the time to welcome them; yes, we need to take the time to explain things they might not understand; but no, we should not be watering things down so as not to make someone uncomfortable who might be there just checking things out.
There are all kinds of programs and classes we can set up for unbelievers, new Christians, or people just checking things out. A classroom setting or a small group setting, in my opinion, is a better way to get things on a level that someone who has not grown up in church might feel comfortable with and be able understand.
Corporate worship should be just that – worship. And that’s something believers do.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you agree or do you see things differently? You can even watch his message and get your own personal take on what he said. The part I’m talking about is only about the first five or ten minutes of the message. Come back and let me know if you do! I’d love to know what others think about it!
The term “Seeker Sensitive” comes to mind. I agree with you. Churches need to feed their flock AND be available for new believers. By watering down the Gospel (which many of these seeker-friendly churches do) to make it “nicer” for a new believer or unchurched person to hear is NOT Biblical in any way. Our church is fairly large- around 1200 people between the two morning services- but we have a new believer’s class, a new member’s class, and other small groups that meet with folks who are newer to the faith in mind. If a church changes to focus entirely on being seeker sensitive, they will lose those who are mature in their faith, who are desiring Scriptural “meat”, and what a tragedy that would be! Churches need every person, every mature and seeking person, to give a complete picture of what Christ is doing in the Church. The older mentor the younger. I think it’s a balancing act that successful churches are constantly working on. I know ours always is, and they do a great job of it too.
Very well said! I completely agree!
We had a guest pastor tell us once of a church he preached at where they instructed him before the service not to mention things like ‘the blood of Jesus’ or ‘sin’ and stuff like that. Don’t offend or freak people out who may be visiting.
Well…needless to say he preached blood, sin, and more blood. As well he should have.
Overall, I think there should be a balance. NEVER water down the gospel of Jesus. EVER. But at the same time, don’t make it all about ‘preaching to the choir’ either.
I completely agree that for the most part the disciplining of new believers should be done in classes, mentoring, Bible studies, ect. Preaching watered down messages to dumb things down and not offend is like watching Oprah…it just ain’t the true gospel!
Yeah, I’m kinda thinking that if you don’t preach about the blood of Jesus and sin then what’s the point!?!?
I agree. Like Missy says, don’t freak out the visitors, but don’t water anything down, either.
This passage is a good example: 1 Corinthians 14:22-25 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Great example, Neil!
That’s kind of what I was thinking as I was listening to the sermon – isn’t it kind of the point to make people uncomfortable? We aren’t there for a “feel-good” pep talk! We are supposed to be convicted of sin and be taught Biblical things.
Thanks for sharing that!