THE WOLF IS BANGING AT THE DOOR

I'm usually the "last to know" even though I like to stay abreast of things.... it seems there is a movement "for" or "against" everything out there in the internet / blog world. I've noticed a lot of "back and forth" between the mega-church / seekers crowd and the more traditionalist. I'm no expert, but it seems to boil down to the point that seeker-oriented churches are "meeting people where they are" at the "expense of the gospel" (not quoting a specific comment, but a general conclusion I've drawn).

Now, we are members at a "mega-church" (whatever that means) as you might know, New Spring Community Church in Anderson. Of course, living in Romania we're definitely out of the loop, so to speak. Places like this are accused of all kinds of things. But it has got me thinking.... is being culturally relevant a wrong thing? Is it a "watered-down gospel"as some say? I think this (at least today)... when I was a kid, our "traditional church"as was "culturally relevant" .....it was simply geared towards a VERY DIFFERENT CULTURE that the one which exists today.

How was the 70's traditional church the same as the '06 mega-church? It met people where they were and served them what they wanted. It gave us cushioned pews (we asked for them), Wednesday night family meals (we needed a break because our parents were busy), basketball and baseball teams and church league softball (to bring in the "unchurched"), youth hayrides and "lock-in's" (because it got kids off the streets). We were given a million and one things that were no overtly (and sometimes not remotely) spiritual. But it was OK. Even today, these same churches give these things and the bulk of their members might be there because it gives them what they want. Take away the bells and whistles and how many "traditional" churches would survuve?? Problem is, there is a new generation or two out there who DO NOT WANT the same BELLS AND WHISTLES. Two questions:

1. Is it wrong to give them a modern-day version of what they want (even if some of it is unspiritual like it was back then)?

2. Are they worth reaching on their terms?

My OPINION ...rarely do people meet Christ on someone else's terms. Let them come in any way they want.... the Holy Spirit is more than capable of shaping them up.

Anyway, my 2 cents because it's my blog.... people are always going to go to a church who offers them the bells and whistles they want.... our society is now filled with people who want and demand different bells and whistles. Here in Romania, very few of our bells and whistles would work. So, cultural relevance is huge. Maybe, just maybe, a lot of traditional churches are afraid of the new culture out there and like to pretend you are wrong if you acknoledge it. The wolf is banging at the door. Hide if you must!.