Fair minded Ministry
I was given the opportunity to lead my Sunday-school class yesterday and while I don't generally like the material we use, I came across a tidbit of something that I found very interesting. (and provoked some very interesting discussion in class as well!)
The idea comes from 2 Corinthians 4:2
Now I'm certain that there are things that fall under the categories outlined by Paul. Building a shopping mall in your church, watering down your message so people aren't offended, etc. What really sparked debate in SS though was the more mundane things; like Vacation Bible School (for the uninitiated its usually a week long "bible camp" for elementary kids), the various camps or sports teams, and the various programs that are sure to be "the next big thing". Do those things fall under the category of "craftiness"?
At the same time the second part of the verse says "commending ourselves to every man's conscience" as we manifest the truth. I think this is clearly saying that we must live as Christ in our daily lives, above reproach and relevant to today's culture. So it seems like a fine line.
At the end of the lesson the class pretty much agreed that programs are fine if they are there to teach people about Christ rather than to pack people into a pew. I would agree with the statement, unfortunately I think the programs are designed to pack people into pews and no matter what our intentions are, most of them by definition seem to steal our focus from what's important. My opinion of course, feel free to post your own :)
The idea comes from 2 Corinthians 4:2
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (NKJV)The author of the SS book stated that the first part of the verse is an argument against using gimmicks or tricks in ministry. He compared it to the programs that we use in churches today and stated that the message of is so powerful that it doesn't need these things to stand on its own.
Now I'm certain that there are things that fall under the categories outlined by Paul. Building a shopping mall in your church, watering down your message so people aren't offended, etc. What really sparked debate in SS though was the more mundane things; like Vacation Bible School (for the uninitiated its usually a week long "bible camp" for elementary kids), the various camps or sports teams, and the various programs that are sure to be "the next big thing". Do those things fall under the category of "craftiness"?
At the same time the second part of the verse says "commending ourselves to every man's conscience" as we manifest the truth. I think this is clearly saying that we must live as Christ in our daily lives, above reproach and relevant to today's culture. So it seems like a fine line.
At the end of the lesson the class pretty much agreed that programs are fine if they are there to teach people about Christ rather than to pack people into a pew. I would agree with the statement, unfortunately I think the programs are designed to pack people into pews and no matter what our intentions are, most of them by definition seem to steal our focus from what's important. My opinion of course, feel free to post your own :)
Comments
The craftiness Paul was talking about I believe would be along the lines of a soup kitchen offering food for all then when you get there there is a sermon. If the church said beforehand "Get some food and Christ" or something then it's fine. But if they were to just offer the food and then "spring" the sermon on a person, then it's wrong. And definitely not Christ-like. Christ was always open and when everythign he did you knew was related to God. Tricking people to a church event under the guise of something secular is wrong.
Anything done openly to praise Christ or Christians coming together to have fun (like a softball league) are fine. Even if a church wants to "pack the pews" (which sounds more like they want more people to give more to the church so it has more money) to spread the "Good News" and is open about it then it's OK.