I’ve lived most of my professional career operating under the following guideline:
‘Our methods may change, but our message never will.’
It really sounds good doesn’t it? Being able to say with conviction that we’ll use exciting new methods while keeping our theological heritage intact. It’s a great way to say something we all think.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it true.
Do you ever wonder if the world would be more interested in the Church if it didn’t seem like we were against everything?
How amazing would it be if we were not known as pro-life or anti-choice, but as people who loved and cared for unwed mothers and their children? What if we were known not as middle class WASPs, but as generous people sacrificing to help others? And what if we were known not as homophobes, but rather as people who loved the gay community and did everything we could to introduce them to Jesus. And not just so they’d stop being gay. After all, a Christian struggling with homosexuality is no different than a Christian struggling with pride. We all need to deal with our sin. We’re all broken.
We often define ourselves as for or against certain moral frameworks. But God did not call us to morality; He’s called us to himself. If I convince someone to become pro-life or straight and they never meet God then we’ve only gotten part-way (and not the most important part).
As Christians, is it more important to be separate and set apart or invested in the culture and engaged with those around you? Should we run from the places unchurched people frequent or visit those places regularly? How do we balance these?
I know what I think. How ’bout you?
In Daniel 6 and Acts 4 three ordinary men risked everything for God. Daniel was caught praying to God after it had been outlawed and was thrown to the lions (literally). Peter and John healed a lame man and preached the truth of Jesus to the crowd that gathered. They were quickly thrown into jail by the religious people of the day. In Daniel’s case the whole nation ended up praising the God who held closed the lions’ mouths. In Peter and John’s case, 5000 people came to follow Jesus. In both cases, the men risked everything. Daniel was stripped of his position and sentenced to die. God intervened and he was saved. Peter and John were thrown into jail and released, but would eventually be martyred for the cause of Christ.
They risked everything…and changed the world. I wonder if when you risk everything for the cause of Christ you’re really risking anything at all. People certainly won’t understand you. But that’s ok, who would expect them to? I think God doesn’t call us to safety, living out our faith behind closed doors.
I think He calls us to risk.
Risky lives filled with adventure.
Filled with the adventure of serving Him.
Serving Him for HIS glory, not our own.
Maybe that’s the hard part. Giving up our own glory. Daniel was stripped of his position in government. Peter and John were mocked by the religious people of the day (they still exist today). We want the story to be about us.
That’s why we love stories. We love books, TV, movies, video games (we actually get to BE the hero)…it’s written on our hearts. We love to hear stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. God called our whole species to more…to stories that matter…
But we have to give it all up first.
“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:20). Peter and Andrew just left everything to follow Jesus. Do you wonder if they worried about their financial security? Did Jesus offer dental?
Something in them drove them to follow Him.
Immediately.
Without question.
Without reservation.
They risked everything…and changed the world.
What are we risking for Him? What have you done this week that REQUIRES faith? It’s a humbling thought…
So this one gets me a little heated. John Piper has answered a question about drama and video in worship services recently and his answer (although not unexpected) was somewhat controversial among those of us in church media. I would encourage you to read his whole answer here. I’m going to assume that you have.
I don’t even know where to start. I should breathe a moment to ensure that all the thoughts I have aren’t spewed out but are thoughtful and logical. I’m not sure I’ll be successful.
The problem with his whole perspective, and he would find it to be an asset, is that he places complete preeminence on preaching. That’s obvious in the following quotations:
I think the use of video and drama largely is a token of unbelief in the power of preaching.
It’s going to communicate that preaching is weak, preaching doesn’t save, preaching doesn’t hold, but entertainment does.
The logical conclusion from Piper’s statements is that video and drama cannot be used to teach and can only be used as entertainment. Thus preaching (and teaching) must be done by a pastor who is speaking to a congregation. It is this line of thinking that I strongly believe to be inaccurate.
Piper points out in his opening paragraph that media isn’t explicitly forbidden in the New Testament. (Does this mean that it is subtly forbidden?) We do find, however, significant use of storytelling and narrative throughout the scriptures. In fact, as much as 75% of the Bible is in narrative form (with only 10% as propositional instruction – from the Complete Evangelism Guidebook). Clearly, there is a significant focus on storytelling. Jesus himself spoke in parables to communicate God’s truth.
Video and drama are simply modern methods of storytelling. Incredibly powerful methods of storytelling. And, as with everything, can be used well or not so well. Preaching can mislead thousands of people to think that they can be ‘ok’ with God simply by walking an aisle. Video and Drama can be used to distract people from the truth of God’s Word. But when we meet together and use both effectively, we begin to communicate to a person holistically. We hit their mind, heart and soul. Preaching rarely expands beyond the mind.
This is why we need artists in the church. Good artists. Incredible artists. Artists who love God and can communicate His truths in new and exciting ways. If we hope to reach the next generation with God’s truth, we’re going to need everything we can get. Or to quote a preacher,” All was created through Jesus and for Jesus. (John Piper)”