35 Years Ago Flip Wilson did a Skit...
I think he called "his church"
The Church of What's Happenin' NOW!
I believe you will discover that the writers of the actual Book... The Bible ... where not really interested in
conforming to the world in order to gain physical "numbers".
Rom 12:1 Therefore, brothers, I call on you through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
Rom 12:3 For through the grace which is given to me, I say to everyone being among you, not to have high thoughts beyond what is right to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God divided a measure of faith to each.
You may find out that Jesus is capable of doing much more than you tend to give Him credit for.
Rather than conforming to the world , people will be transformed when the CROSS is preached ...
Paul said
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1Co 1:20 Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
I believe you will discover that the writers of the actual Book... The Bible ... where not really interested in conforming to the world in order to gain physical "numbers". Thank you for your great copy and paste job on the quotes that you posted.
However, according to your statement above, the apostle Paul would be guilty of "conforming to the world in order to gain physical numbers" because of his passion to win as many as possible through his "becoming all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some." (I Corinthians 9:22)
I say again that I am amazed at the amount of poison being spewed my way merely for asking for help in reaching out to the younger generation who are turning away from the traditional, mainline denominations by the droves. If you or others think that reaching out to them in language and methods that they can relate to is diluting the gospel or compromising your view of "church" are the gosepl, then I suppose I'm guilty.
To me however, to stand on the sidelines and complain is akin to people watching a building burning to the ground and criticizing the firemen for not doing more to save those trapped inside.
The apostle Paul's passion for seeing people saved drove him to find a common denominator with people and cultures in order to introduce Jesus to them. Do you remember his sermon while in Athens (Acts 17), how he took a cultural icon, an altar to "The Unknown God," and preached Christ to them? If Paul were on this forum today, he would be subject to the copy and paste job of those who believe that unless "church" is done the way they, or their seminary-trained leaders, say it's supposed to be, then it's pandering to the world.
To me, such an idea, an idea that I also espoused for years before a clearer understanding of the grace and love of God began opening my eyes, it is the epitomy of arrogance and pride.