There is no place for "seeker friendlyism", "emergent churchianity", "theatrics", "entertainment worship", etc., ad nauseam in the church of God.
I couldn't agree with you more. However I will say that there was a point when I bought into the whole "seeker friendly" movement. Therefore I don't think that if a pastor is in the seeker friendly movement that it necessarily indicates that they are not committed to biblical Christianity. It does however show that their understanding at that point is flawed. The longer I am a Christian the more I have come to realize that each one of us has a flawed understanding to one degree or another. The problem I see however is if the pastor is in the seeker friendly movement, they will lead their congregation down the same road. Making them, inconsistent (assuming they are Reformed in theology) with their Reformed roots.
Does that make him unqualified to be a pastor? I don't know, but I do know that this is a very serious matter.
You have hit on something that I would like to say something about.
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Also, contemporary preaching (on male roles) has fallen along the lines of 'Promise Keeper's' themes, instead of covenantal responsibility... PRACTICING headship and leadership.
I can't help but think that maybe movements like 'Promise Keepers' happened at least in part as a result of not practicing covenantal responsibility in the Church. Cause and effect.
Tom said: Therefore I don't think that if a pastor is in the seeker friendly movement that it necessarily indicates that they are not committed to biblical Christianity.
So, Tom:
From your own words, you are saying that one's choice of worship is not part of biblical Christianity but a matter of personal preference? Or put another way, biblical Christianity doesn't require that one reject such modern innovations as: "seeker-friendly", "emerging church", "church growth", etc.? If not, then HOW in the world can one be committed to biblical Christianity, which logically and of necessity consists of specific doctrines, a worldview, ethics, morals, etc., and including worship (style) and yet contradict those teachings by doing something not taught in the Bible or contradictory to its teachings? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />
A man may be genuinely converted but err on these things; that's a given. But one who is committed to BIBLICAL Christianity will reject these vulgar "models/styles", especially when they are shown to be contrary to all that God is and what He has revealed in His Word concerning worship, evangelism, etc.
What I was thinking was, schools should copy or modify Spurgeon's idea. His school taught pastors who had allready started preaching. I believe a person should have allready started in a limited role in a local church. They should also intereview people who know the student.
Tom said: I can only guess. But it would appear that in many cases, men just don't want to attend such functions. But I do know that they do attend things where coffee and food are offered.
Would it help if I asked the question again so that you perhaps might offer an answer to the question instead of repeating it? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />
Why do you suppose that these men whom you mentioned, do not attend sessions where doctrinal matters are being taught? (it is assumed, Tom, that they don't want to attend and thus the question.)
These "things" that men DO attend where coffee and food are offered, would they include those "things" where theology, doctrine and/or catechetical matters are being taught? Or would such "things" be excluded even though coffee and food are offered?
In His grace,
Beer and my pc would be a good aditive <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ClapHands.gif" alt="" />
Well I do know of a fellowship where the men would meet once a month or so to discusss theology and quaff dark beer. They called it Calvin and Hops <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cheers2.gif" alt="" /> I always thought that this might not be a bad idea for other churches to implement.
Peter
If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. Augustine of Hippo
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