It’s A Work In Progress.
Applying culture to the Church is a big downfall for a Church, some will argue it is paganism. But that is for another day*. Christians can’t apologize to culture, unless you have seriously hurt them with words or actions (and even then that would be a case by case basis, not a universal ’sorry’). Christians, myself included, need to repent for not living to the image of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18
But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
And it does matter how people see us. Jesus even prayed for it.
John 17:20-26
20 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’
It doesn’t matter how cool your band is.
It doesn’t matter if your pastor wears bootcut jeans, with cool button-down shirts.
It doesn’t matter if you have a coffee shop.
None of those will draw in people (for the right reasons).
Our love for one another will draw people to the knowledge of Christ and His love.
If we are not loving, the world doesn’t see Christ in believers.
If we are loving, and don’t turn from the flesh, the world doesn’t see Christ in us (Eph 4:17 and 5:1-2).
So how is it working out? It’s called sanctification.
Comment by B. Rink
“None of those will draw in people (for the right reasons).”
So, having a coffee shop, cool bands, stylish pastor cannot be construed into loving one another? I think it can. Using the culture to preach to the culture just makes sense to me. Missionaries don’t go to non-English speaking countries and just speak English to preach to them because that’s how they speak(off the wall example, but think about it). They learn the language or get a translator to get across the message. They also try to assimilate into the culture so they do not offend people away from the Gospel.
What’s the difference in trying to reach America?
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Comment by Matt Brammer
I never said those things were entirely wrong. But when you’re drawing people to the Church on those things, that is where the problem is. Applying the culture to Chruch is wrong, using culture to teach is exactly what Jesus did. Once one knows the culture that Jesus spoke in, we have to try to understand the equivalent in ours.
How is having a coffee shop, trendy pastor or cool band any part of the Gospel or loving eachother? Loving people involves conversations and service. You could argue that having a coffee shop could be serving one another. But should we charge then?
This would get into attractional vs. missional churches. To function, the Church needs to be both. Missional in serviec and outreach, attractional with our love for each other.
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Comment by Twit Conway
Matt, nice post. I don’t have anything to add - just wanted to encourage you. TC
Posted on April 8, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Comment by Matt Brammer
Agreed I don’t think those things are wrong but, when replace by the love of Christ and the Gospel, then it’s just paganism.
I never said have a band that lifted up the name of Christ; that’s what the worship band is for. What I said was the was we focus on the band (aka how good they sound and look).
Posted on April 9, 2009 at 3:38 am