I wonder what our Roman Catholic friends think of this article. They must think Protestants are an odd bunch at times.
The “advice” offered by Mr. Rainer sounds like something from a board meeting of a struggling corporation.
I know our Protestant brethren tend to shy away from John chapter 6, nevertheless it is a powerful passage that I believe speaks to the church revitalization movement (among other things of course).
After our Lord teaches about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:53ff), the Bible says in verse 66 “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” (ESV).
Imagine that. Jesus preached and they crowds left Him by the droves. Doesn’t sound like a growing, thriving, revitalized church to me.
What our churches need is not more gimmicks and slick song services. Our churches need men of God who preach the Word and tell it like it is. Men of God who preach Christ in all His glory. Men of God who are lions in the pulpit, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Men of God who believe with all their hearts this word from our Savior: “And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’” (John 6:65 NRSV).
I for one understand that things can get weird any time you are dealing with human beings, no matter what your denomination.
Of Course.
John 6 and ‘slick song services’ don’t cancel each other out.
I attend a church that emphasizes both.
And the church is growing and helping to bring many lost people to Jesus.