|
The seeker-sensitive church growth movement has taken the American evangelical church by storm. Proponents of this philosophy teach that the church should and must change its appearance, worship, methodology, marketing, and even its message in order that “seekers of God” (hence the name of the movement) will feel comfortable as they attend the church service.
Understand that proponents of this methodology are suggesting a sensitivity that goes far beyond friendliness, comfortable seats, convenient parking, and properly adjusted climate control systems. They advocate the use of music and language that causes the lost to feel “right at home” as they attend the church service. Just don’t call them “lost.” Remember, they are “seekers” and biblically correct language must not be used if it could cause a seeker to be turned off to God.
The flaws in this ministry philosophy should be apparent to even the casual student of Scripture. One might ask, how much can the church change and still remain “the church?” Are we on our own when it comes to the structure and method of corporate worship or does the Word of God provide us with guidance and parameters? When the lost come into our services should they feel comfortable in their sin or convicted by the Word of God? These questions and others should be and are being asked with increasing frequency as discerning Christians begin to take a harder look at the seeker-sensitive philosophy.
But it seems to me, the most fundamental question of all is the one few are asking: “Who’s seeking who?” You see, the Word of God teaches that lost man does not seek God at all. The Apostle Paul states emphatically concerning the lost, “There is none who seeks after God.” (Romans 3:11) On the contrary, the Bible teaches that God is the seeker! He is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and truth: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23) Jesus Christ Himself stated that He had come to “seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Seeker-sensitive? Absolutely! Let’s just be sure we are sensitive to the Divine and Ultimate Seeker – God Himself! And let us be sure that everything we do in worship passes the tests of spirit and truth.
To learn more, read the excellent article by Dr. John MacArthur,
|
