A few days ago, A Little Leaven noted that "some Purpose-Driven / Seeker-Sensitive Churches apparently have much more important things to do on Superbowl Sunday than hold evening church services." Posted here are just a couple examples of how some church leaders justify viewing a football game as an option to the preaching of the Word of God.
And in the comment stream, one contributor actually suggested that “…it could be a great witnessing opp. Why? (because)Warner is a great christian man.”
So the stream commenced with much arguing, some who insisted that it was a matter of personal choice and others who were critical of the church leaders who purposefully incorporated this diversion into the practice of the church.
Now I am not a football fan and I did not watch the Superbowl game. But I must admit, I did not attend our evening service on Super Sunday. And, taking my cue from some of those church leaders, I can justify my actions and I am very comfortable about it.
You see, my wife and I were busy that evening doing ministry outside the box. We went out into the presence of unbelievers to enjoy some food and fellowship at one of our favorite restaurants. It was great. There were so many unsaved people there and that provided a great opportunity for God to work
through us. We didn't "hit them over the head" with our religion but, I'm sure our non-offensive evangelism was effective in showing and sharing the love of Christ with them. Many of them observed us as we bowed our heads and gave thanks to God for our food. What a wonderful time we had together; we talked about church and family.
Even the Apostle Paul said, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (I Cor. 10: 31-32).
And in the comment stream, one contributor actually suggested that “…it could be a great witnessing opp. Why? (because)Warner is a great christian man.”
So the stream commenced with much arguing, some who insisted that it was a matter of personal choice and others who were critical of the church leaders who purposefully incorporated this diversion into the practice of the church.
Now I am not a football fan and I did not watch the Superbowl game. But I must admit, I did not attend our evening service on Super Sunday. And, taking my cue from some of those church leaders, I can justify my actions and I am very comfortable about it.
You see, my wife and I were busy that evening doing ministry outside the box. We went out into the presence of unbelievers to enjoy some food and fellowship at one of our favorite restaurants. It was great. There were so many unsaved people there and that provided a great opportunity for God to work
through us. We didn't "hit them over the head" with our religion but, I'm sure our non-offensive evangelism was effective in showing and sharing the love of Christ with them. Many of them observed us as we bowed our heads and gave thanks to God for our food. What a wonderful time we had together; we talked about church and family.Even the Apostle Paul said, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (I Cor. 10: 31-32).
Our prayer is that many, who were there that night, would see that Christians are normal people and that we can have fun too. Who knows; maybe they liked what they saw in us and might be attracted to God because of our life-style evangelism and silent witness among them.
Please pray that our ministry efforts will bear much fruit.
Please pray that our ministry efforts will bear much fruit.
7 comments:
You are really onto something. If the apostles had thought of this kind of evangelism and had quit preaching that pesky, offensive gospel, just think of all the persecution they could have avoided. Maybe you should send out a letter and get sponsors for your next missionary outreach ministry. That way, someone else could pay for your meal. After all, you are the one making all of the sacrifices. If you craft the letter just right, maybe you can even come out ahead and make a profit. The laborer is worthy of his hire. I know some people who could help you word your letter.
Yeh, we were rather shocked that our church's Awana program was cancelled for the superbowl. BUT honestly, this is the only church in town that we know of that even has something on Sunday night.
In the old days, Sunday afternoons were kept sacred because it was the Lord's Day. Sunday morning and evening services with not much more than a meal in between. That all changed and folks started shopping, hanging out, going to birthday parties, and movies on Sunday afternoons. Sunday evening service was crimping their style. So what gets dumped? The service, of course.
Jayson,
That's really funny. I hadn't really thought about raising mission support for my ministry but I guess, today, undiscerning people are willing to support almost any fool thing.
Our church in Lacos raised thousands of dollars for missions work and then used it to send a group of teenagers, most of whom knew nothing about constrution, to another country to help build a building for the missionaries. The "ministry" pictures they came back with were mostly sitting around and eating, sightseeing, playing volleyball, etc. The money should have just been sent to the missionaries.
Of course if you send me one of those "send money now" letters I will probably just put a tract in the return envelope. You never know who might read it and get blessed.
Sarcasm is a gift, and while I am not willing to pay for joining the NSS I would love to have the right to post the NSS sign on my blog.
Ellery,
I don't put SASEs in my "send money now" letters. As for the National Sarcasm Society sign; I think it would look good on your site. A friend emailed the image to me. I don't know where it came from; I just pasted i it in. Help yourself.
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