Wrong Appeals of the local church

In last February’s issue, we pointed out that the youth are being misled when elders of local churches employ entertainment to appeal to the youth. Young people have a distorted concept of the church, its work, and purpose. We are raising a generation of young people who look at the church as a social club and while they are being coaxed to come to church through entertainment, they are not going to regard spiritual matters very serious. In fact, what little benefit they derive from hearing watered down sermons, they are misled to think that the church has the God-given right to provide entertainment and other social services. The purpose for their attendance, therefore, begins and ends with a view of the local church as service providers.

This article will explore other appeals that are being made by local churches. One appeal is what we will call the positive message appeal. One church ad reads as follows: "You won't feel like you've been sentenced to prison when you visit ________. We are a church for people who have given up on the traditional church but not on God. You’ll find energetic music, exciting dramas, great kids' and teen programs, and real-life messages. So get rid of that ball and chain and come see how much church has changed." Another similar appeal reads, “If in the past the guilt-ridden, hypocritical church experience has sent you running, come check out _________. We're out to change the way you think about church. You'll find upbeat music, positive messages and genuine people….We won't 'scold' you, 'judge' you or 'pick-pocket' you…." Such an appeal implies that the traditional church is boring, condemning, hypocritical, and interested in your money. Consequently, the local church, as a provider of social services, creates an atmosphere in which the attendees feel good about themselves and their form of worship.

Too many have come to view the preacher as simply a public relations man whose job it is to make the audience feel good about themselves and replace the gospel with a pep talk. When people become weak and selfish, they want "smooth things" taught them and the people become "worthless" because they have no challenge to repent of their sins and improve their lives (Isa. 30: 10; Jeremiah 23: 16, 17). Biblical preaching involves the words "reprove," "rebuke," and "exhort" (2 Tim. 4: 2) to describe its intent and purpose.

Another appeal is the appeal to fun and frolic. When many think of worship and religion today, they think in terms of "where is the party and the food?" "Its party time! Join us at North Park Church…., we are hosting a free BBQ and community carnival and, for the adults, a special concert. We'll close the day with a short celebration service featuring a message from an NFL Pro linebacker and a special puppet show for the kids. Please join us for this fun and exciting day…." Such examples could be multiplied by the thousands. Dear reader, the church belonging to Jesus has never engaged in the social, secular, and carnal gospel that is offered by these appeals. Yes, this appeal is working because it is appealing to the carnal and base desires of the "unconverted.” "Religion" is being lowered and dragged down and people are not being helped but they are being encouraged in their selfishness. It is also apparent from the testimonies offered to show such appeals are working that the new Community Church religion that is based on unity in diversity is prospering. To help us to contrast what the biblical appeal is, please consider the following:
"You are cordially invited to hear the gospel preached in its ancient purity, simplicity, and relevancy. Come learn of sin and how to contact the sin forgiving blood of Jesus. The ___________seeks only to worship God in spirit and in truth and to engage in the acts of worship that please and adorn God. The music will be congregational, spiritual, and vocal only, just as it was rendered in the First Century Church. The atmosphere shall be God honoring and conducive to the reverent worship of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Following the service, there will be a question/answer period to allow you to question our teaching and further explore the teaching of God's authoritative book, the Bible. (2 Cor. 4: 2; Matt. 26: 28, Acts 2: 38, I Jn. 1: 6-10; Jn. 4: 24; Eph. 5: 19; Heb. 12: 28; Acts 17: 11.)" Do you see the difference in the appeal? What is your view of the church?