If you have been reading this week, you know I have been posting about our vacation to Pigeon Forge and different events, happenings, lessons along the way. Hopefully I haven’t bored you. 🙂
While Tami & I were in the Titanic museum, Jo, Janna (our youngest) and Braden (our grandson) went next door to Wonderworks. It sounded interesting. It was. For all of them. My description of it would be “a fun place for all on steroids.” Wonderworks included a multitude of special effects, laser tag, rock climbing, interactive science offerings, ropes, and a whole lot more. Hint: Google Wonderworks. 🙂 They loved it! Especially Braden because it was action and activity.
We live in an age of action. At one point it was called “The MTV generation.” I would say it was “hit ’em and go!” Three to four minute videos and NEXT? It affected the way churches related to its culture. It hasn’t changed one iota, except for hit ’em harder, faster and add the hype. As a pastor/preacher I want more than anything to believe people come to hear me. 🙂 I am not naive enough to think that actually happens on a wide basis. There are many who come for the music; for the worship; for the children’s program; for the fellowship. But what the church really needs to be careful of is the hype. It is scary when you look at our culture and realize how things have changed over the years. What we never thought would be, now is.
I recently had a couple decide to stop coming, to “give modern worship music a rest.” True, they like the hymns. But her words to me were, “We want less music and more Pastor Bill.” Flattering but not going to happen. I preach 25-30 minutes and I am tapped out. I once tried the 45-50 approach like some of my “heroes” but fortunately I had a loving wife bold enough to say, “That is not you. You repeat yourself too much.” Point taken. I told the lady, “Less music does not equal more Pastor Bill. It just means less music.” But their desire is a rarity these days. If we don’t have smoke & lights to go along with our rock music (often “secular”) we don’t think we are “relevant.” I disagree. While I am not opposed to modern worship music (not in the least) we must NEVER steal from the purpose we are there: to honor and glorify the Father. Anything less is idolatry and hype.
The trick for certain tourist attractions is something different, almost avant garde. God help the church when that thinking gets in. Our thinking then becomes what is the next big thing we can introduce? I have an idea. How about just introducing people to Jesus and His Word?
Your thoughts?
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