God, the Entertainer
Posted by Patrick Corkum on March 27, 2010
In American society, we are bent on being entertained. It seems as if though we won’t do anything if it is not entertaining to us or in some way leads us to entertainment. It seems to be so much the case, that it has found its way into mainstream Christianity as the norm. I am not saying that there is not a place for it, but it seems to have proliferated to all aspects of the church. The church uses entertainment for all kinds of purposes. People don’t seem to want to go to church unless the “entertainment” factor is good. It is almost as if the measure of a church is how good the band is or how well the pastor preaches. In most Protestant churches, kids get seperated from their parents because the entertainment isn’t geared to them in the “main” service, so they are shuffled off to Sunday School. I dare someone to point to a Middle School or High School ministry that doesn’t have entertainment as a primary focus of reaching and keeping kids coming. This seems also to be one of the primary methods of evangelism <a big word for telling non-believers the Good News (gospel)>.
So, here’s my question. <drum roll please>. Are we okay with this? Is this the what Christianity is about? Is it about God entertaining us? Or, rather, is it about the holiness and awesomeness of God? Are we focusing on the right thing (i.e. what we get out of it)? What do you think?
Patrick, I agree with your assessment that many church’s and youth ministries have put a major focus on entertainment. I think there is a bigger question that may have led to this. I think how we define church as a place we go on Sundays, sing three songs, take an offering, here a message, fellowship for a few minutes and go home is the bigger problem. I think defining church this way sense the Reformation has given us what we have. Just some thoughts. Peace
Chip, I totally agree with you. I think the Church needs to revist what church is supposed to be. I was thinking about it this morning on how the church should be about making disciples, worshiping God, and sending out.