Posted on 06/11/2012 6:32:24 AM PDT by marshmallow
We're all adolescents now.
The house lights go down. Spinning, multicolored lights sweep the auditorium. A rock band launches into a rousing opening song. "Ignore everyone else, this time is just about you and Jesus," proclaims the lead singer. The music changes to a slow dance tune, and the people sing about falling in love with Jesus. A guitarist sporting skinny jeans and a soul patch closes the worship set with a prayer, beginning, "Hey God …" The spotlight then falls on the speaker, who tells entertaining stories, cracks a few jokes, and assures everyone that "God is not mad at you. He loves you unconditionally."
After worship, some members of the church sign up for the next mission trip, while others decide to join a small group where they can receive support on their faith journey. If you ask the people here why they go to church or what they value about their faith, they'll say something like, "Having faith helps me deal with my problems."
Fifty or sixty years ago, these now-commonplace elements of American church life were regularly found in youth groups but rarely in worship services and adult activities. What happened? Beginning in the 1930s and '40s, Christian teenagers and youth leaders staged a quiet revolution in American church life that led to what can properly be called the juvenilization of American Christianity. Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as appropriate for adults. It began with the praiseworthy goal of adapting the faith to appeal to the young, which in fact revitalized American Christianity. But it has sometimes ended with both youth and adults embracing immature versions of the faith. In any case, white evangelicals led the way.
Saving the World
Juvenilization happened when no one....
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
I’d like to know what the author believes is the ideal church or method of worship.
GOP-E and Christian Establishment plan? Many sons and daughters of preachers out there, unfortunately, tend to push their artsy education and “drug persecution stories” over that of the true stories of those who were denied recognition of doing good to themselves and others.
Where in the Bible does it suggest that worship is supposed to be entertainment?
The perfect comeback quip, if one were so minded, would be to point out that Jesus said to “come as a child.”
A nonstop diet of this style would be monotonous and not very edifying. But it has a place and no that’s not in hell....
Me, I'm the fire and brimstone kind of gal. When it's glitz and glam, I am not comfortable. All depends on how one was raised.
Seriously, if the author doesn't like how they worship, they should find another church.
I don’t have a particular problem with an entertaining approach to praise, but .... “Hey God?” How about “Dear Heavenly Father?”
As long is the message is from the Bible, I have no problem with the rockier type music. In fact, I enjoy it more. Not every church that has up-to-date music and lights and such preaches watered down gospel. Some actually preach very sound gospel. It’s no different than an organist who refuses to let someone else play her organ, because she likes the attention it gets her. Worship is an attitude. It has nothing to do with music and presentation (as long as it’s God focused and God glorifying..
What about using your talents for Christ?
Agree with that.. Why do so many want to make the worship/mass/divine service as an outreach.. It is for the believers as a reminder we are sinful human beings in need of a savior. Outreach is done in your vocation(ie job, father, mother, employee, athelete etc..)
Good post. I don’t mind either, but I prefer the more rockier instrumental worship music. As long as it is God centered.
What do you believe the ideal church would look like? or its worship? This would be an interesting thread for sure. I think most would like for all of the members to be just a tad more honest, prosperous and attractive than themselves. And really feel the love when they come into the door. And really feel the welcome. And come from the same background as themselves. The same ethnicity as themselves. Yeah, a person could really get comfortable in a church like that. You wouldn't mature any as a Christian but you would be comfortable.
We made God into a Buddy Jesus.
Which, if you read the Bible, God is not. He is Just and Merciful. But He also awesome.
Fear and Love God. We forgot the first part.
Church is a weekly meeting of like minded believers plus those who will eventually answer God's call as well as those who will refuse the call. Edification and fellowship are the goals.
Worship is what takes place in your heart the other 166 hours of the week.
Exactly and good post.
Aren’t you supposed to use your talents for the Lord. And that includes lighting and sound.
Thank you. Have a Blessed week.
Hair shirts and self-flagellation
Wow! This reads like a review of last night’s Tony Awards.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.