Church of Fun

We recently received an announcement from an area church about Wednesday night family meals and an after school program for kids.  Part of the pitch is “Bible study,” but the majority of it includes “a fun time,” “refreshments,” “wood-working,” “exercise,” “crafts,” “knitting,” “sports,” and “recreation.”  The name for the program is “ACTS: Anchoring Children and Teens to the Savior.”  No such thing is found in the book of Acts.  In fact, the Bible is bereft of such gimmicks to draw people, young or old, to the Lord.

The rate at which churches are becoming sanctified fun-centers is amazing.  Each is trying to outdo the other, adding more activities and programs in an effort to attract and hold people in the congregation.  Did Jesus die so we can have crafts and knitting?  In Acts did the disciples of the Lord believe wood-working and exercise were part of the work of the church?  Does any of this disturb the members of the churches that do these things?

In the New Testament of Jesus Christ, we learn that Jesus died so that man’s sin may be forgiven (Jn. 1:29).  Christians in the New Testament used this fact to draw men to the Lord (Acts 2:16-41; 3:12-4:4; 10:34-48; 13:16-52; etc.).  Paul said that men are called to God by the gospel (2 Thes. 2:13, 14).  Using fun, food, and frolic to draw people to Christ is spiritually shallow, and those who respond to such things are spiritually shallow as well.

God is spirit,
and those who worship Him
must worship in spirit and truth.
- John 4:24

Showtime
Worship In The Age of Showbusiness
By Dan Chambers