Re: The Church Has Become a Circus... Literally.
| Posted On: 05/09/07 09:43:57 AM |
Age 47, TX |
I agree with Todd. Christians are compromising the Word and its power in hopes of reaching the world for Christ. Perhaps they are well intended, but sincerely wrong. We are to be "wise as serpents" ... so I believe that some innovations are certainly in order ... but nothing should compromise the holiness and sanctity of God's Word and His edicts.
That picture of a clown presenting the sacraments is downright frightening. These men are so desperate to bring in more folks that they are becoming confused between their desperate need for growth and the actual statements in God's Word about being "fools" for Christ. (which basically means being willing to give all for His purposes)
For these church leaders, fasting and prayer would do the trick ... and lots of it. With that kind of devotion, God CAN give innovative ideas ... and He will also give ones that do not make a mockery of His Word and His sacraments. Miracles come out of consistent prayer.
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Re: The Church Has Become a Circus... Literally.
| Posted On: 05/09/07 09:28:46 AM |
Age 61, WA |
Personally, I've never seen or heard of anything so ridiculous in my life. It just proves how far the church has fallen in it's attempt to conform to the world and it's ways. I really wouldn't want to be in their shoes when they face our Lord. These folks need our prayers and we desperately need to ask God to "forgive them for they know not what they do."
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Re: The Church Has Become a Circus... Literally.
| Posted On: 05/09/07 07:50:57 AM |
Age 57, FL |
While I do not particularly agree with pastors acting like clowns, at least these guys admit it. There are all too many "clowns" who can't see beyond their fancy hairstyles and rolex watches to be able to discern who the real clowns are.
There are a lot of things I don't agree with in the church. A lot of those have to do with my personal likes and dislikes, others with the particular way I was raised, and still others with how I perceive they line up with Scriptures.
The bottom line, however, is fruit. Are the "just" entertaining? Or are people really coming to the Lord. I guess as I get closer to "being face to face" with the Lord, as with Billy Graham, I am becoming somewhat more "tolerant" of methods and more focused on more "eternal" concerns.
vp
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Re: The Church Has Become a Circus... Literally.
| Posted On: 05/09/07 07:50:40 AM |
Age 57, FL |
While I do not particularly agree with pastors acting like clowns, at least these guys admit it. There are all too many "clowns" who can't see beyond their fancy hairstyles and rolex watches to be able to discern who the real clowns are.
There are a lot of things I don't agree with in the church. A lot of those have to do with my personal likes and dislikes, others with the particular way I was raised, and still others with how I perceive they line up with Scriptures.
The bottom line, however, is fruit. Are the "just" entertaining? Or are people really coming to the Lord. I guess as I get closer to "being face to face" with the Lord, as with Billy Graham, I am becoming somewhat more "tolerant" of methods and more focused on more "eternal" concerns.
vp
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Re: The Church Has Become a Circus... Literally.
| Posted On: 05/09/07 04:57:54 AM |
Age 60, TN |
I agree with the writer. The church has become a "joke" to the lost. People living like the devil and at the same instance, they claim to know God. I believe that church folk should be the happiest people on earth, but WE should also be the most sober in our actions because we fully understand the awful destination of the lost.
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- Re: Re: The Church Has Become a Circus... Literally.
| Posted On: 11/28/07 07:28:09 PM | | Age 54, VA |
Friends---
I have waited until the end of the year to respond to your comments. I am Jim Lavender, the United Methodist pastor who used the elephant on April 29th. In fact, I have offered children's sermons for thirty three years using live animals as object lessons, most of the animals adopted from uncertain futures. I taught a grown lion to lay down with a live lamb, among other images that are Biblically authentic. For fifteen years, I provided Christian missions to other churches of every denomination nationally using animals to teach Christian truth to unchurched and irreligious children and their parents. To date, just over one and one half million children have come to Christ and His church through this sacrificial and volunteer ministry. Most every Sunday, each of our three services features a two minute message for kids using animals. I humbly offer to you that on April 29, 2007, twelve new families committed to Christ and to our church, one marriage was saved, and one person chose not to take their own life as a result of our special 25th anniversary outdoor service. We felt pretty good about the day since 2,200 people came. We humbly apologize to anyone who does not understand or who might be offended. Our church has always sought to reach those who Jesus sought...the irreligious, the lost, the hurting. We find that more important than the trappings of tradition. With deepest respect for everyone Jesus died for and also for all living things, I shall keep all of you in my prayers during the new year.
Dr. Jim Lavender
Senior and Founding Pastor
Discovery United Methodist Church
and former professional entertainer.
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