Had an interesting conversation today at lunch about the role of the church. The conversation revolved around the subject of churches that would label themselves as “seeker sensitive” are misrepresenting the nature of what “The Church” is to be about while we await the return of Christ.
I would dare to say that ‘much’ of The Church (including those considered “Seeker Sensitive”) do a great job at welcoming seekers, but shouldn’t our priority be SEEKING the “Seeker”? As in, going out and reaching he-or-she that may be open to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Why is much of The Church serving as a giant Country Club for Christians instead of being the hands and feet of Christ living out the Great Commission in the world?
Not sure if I want to use “how cool is that”, but we talked about “Seeker Sensitive” during Wednesday night bible study. We’re studing Keith Drury’s book on Holiness and were in Chp. 3 and discussion lead toward that direction. When I see things like this(our meeting and your post topic)my oun personal conviction is that is something God then has laid on my heart to pray about–so I guess yes—how cool is that!!!!
So from this I will be bringing our Wesleyan Conference to the Lord in prayer early and often!
Well, miss you guys and it’s good to see the pics. Can’t wait to see Ella in her sundresses that I sent–hope they’ll work for summer.
Need to get busy, I am at work.
Love ya,
I’m sure they will work, Momma Sweeny! I can’t wait for the weather to be warm enough so I don’t have to put a onesie under them–I’ve been known to do that so she wear bunches of cute stuff year round.
As for the post, the ‘country club for christians’ phrase jumped out at me. I think in times past, “Seeker-Friendly” churches probably considered most other churches the exclusive places to join, (but without as many fun benefits)complete with membership and a reserved seat each week. So they tried to make things more comfortable for all walks of life. Now, they can be just as guilty as the churches that may have been considered ‘unwelcoming’ to them. Wow! Hmmm…something to make sure I think about each week before I wish something was different about my church when it has nothing specifically to do with reaching others for Christ.
This is what God has been drilling into me for the last couple of years! We are sooooo mistaken thinking that seekers will just come to us! We have to go out and get them! Did Jesus just sit in the synagogue and wait for sinners to come to him? No way!
And the thought about our churches just becoming Christian Country Clubs…our DS did a message at the beginning of the year about that and it really hit home with me. The church should not be for those of us that already follow Christ. The church should be more about the lost and less about keep the “old timers” happy.
Jeremy that is so true and AMEN… However in all honesty how do we treat those people that do not fit the mold? Those folks who are unlovely? They don’t dress well or they smell funny or they are always late to a service? We laugh and snicker and treat them as if they do not count. The Lord has really been speaking to me in this issue because sadly I have been one of those snickerers. I pray that I will learn to be someone who seeks those who are lost and offers a kind word of encouragement. May I not snicker or point my finger again!