I ran across this article today and thought it quite interesting. In trying to attract the non-churched to be exposed to the Gospel, some have stepped beyond what is considered moderate even in our world's standards. I could not believe the lengths that this church has gone to attract new people to their doors. They have gone to handing out beer…
Every month dozens show up at the brewpub to drink beer and talk about issues ranging from racism in St. Louis to modern art controversies to the debate about embryonic stem cell research. First-timers are invited to check out the church on Sunday, and Journey leaders say many have. Theology at the Bottleworks is just one of The Journey's ministries, but it has helped the church grow from 30 members in late 2002 to 1,300 today. ----more
The real Gospel still works for those who are really ready to make a change in their life. If we are just trying to attract a crowd, then I suppose handing out beer would be as good a game plan as any!? But we were not called to attract a crowd. We were called to bring people to a place called Calvary where they can find liberation from the addicting substances of this world. If we are feeding them more of what has them bound, we are sending the wrong message. God is still in the business of deliverance through repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for the TRUE message that doesn't have to be peddled through secular means, it comes on the wings of love.
4 comments:
OHHH BROTHER! What will they come up with next.... Your church just gets free tea! LOL :)
This reminds me of an evangelist we had many years ago who told how he and some friends wanted to become "spiritual" and were very sincere. They decided to have communion and the only thing they had in the house was beer and donuts. They "celebrated" communion with beer and donuts and felt really "spiritual." Although they were sincere, they were sincerely wrong. The evangelist in his search for God, finally came into the truth. Hopefully, these "blind leading the blind" can come into ALL truth before their "sincerity" brings greater detriment to more lives. Alcohol is an addictive substance that has brought destruction to many families and even death to abusers. It is a shame that people allow their brain to become so fogged that they promote sin in the name of God.
I would love to say that is hard to believe, but then the world we live in has become so messed up. Things that every relegion knew and proclaimed as wrong is now being accepted. Yet, it should make truth shine that much more. I am thankful God changed me and did not leave me the way that I was when I came to Him. Thank you Jesus.
What next?!!!
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