These are questions from the information box of a video posted on YouTube. The video is a montage of clips, showing the "fun" and "inspiring" activities that go on at my former church.
As I watched this video with the volume off, I struggled to find any indication—other than some words on a computer monitor—that what I was watching was taking place in a church. I agree that Christian worship shouldn't be boring and stuffy. But should it be a variety show? Should it be 'relevant' according to the modern, secular understanding of the word?
I agree also that Christians need to make a priority of bringing unbelievers into the fold. But is there any sense in which the use of rock bands, dramatic performance, interpretive dance, laser-light shows, or cutting-edge multimedia in order to draw a crowd isn't contrary to St Paul's plea not to be "conformed to the world"? (Rom 12.2)
I don't question the sincerity of those who worship in the modern, "seeker-sensitive" style. When I did likewise, I was sincere, too. But I can tell you that, although I have been a believer in Jesus Christ for as long as I can remember, it was not until I witnessed the Orthodox Liturgy that I really began to see what it means to worship Christ on His terms. Not those of modern culture. If that's not fun and inspiring I don't know what is.
Below is part of an article by Charles Spurgeon, in which he laments (in 1887!) the extent to which Christian worship had become entertainment. Having seen what the church of my youth has evolved into, I find it fascinating that these words are from the pen of a Baptist minister. (all emphases are mine)
An evil resides in the professed camp of the Lord so gross in its impudence that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years it has developed at an abnormal rate even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.
From speaking out as the Puritans did, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.
My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church. If it is a Christian work why did not Christ speak of it? ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’ That is clear enough. So it would have been if He has added, ‘and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel.’ No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him.
Then again, ‘He gave some apostles, some prophets, some pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry.’ Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they refused? The concert has no martyr roll.
Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the Church to the world? ‘Ye are the salt,’ not sugar candy — something the world will spit out, not swallow. Short and sharp was the utterance, ‘Let the dead bury their dead.’ He was in awful earnestness!
Had Christ introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His mission, He would have been more popular when they went back, because of the searching nature of His teaching. I do not hear Him say, ‘Run after these people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow, something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick, Peter, we must get the people somehow!’ Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them.
After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the Church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, ‘Lord grant Thy servants that by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are.’ If they ceased not for preaching Christ, they had not time for arranging entertainments. Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They ‘turned the world upside down’ (Acts 17.6) That is the difference! Lord, clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her and bring us back to apostolic methods.
C. H. Spurgeon, Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?
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