Is it possible to say too much about the cross? As a preacher that possesses salvation purchased at the cross I do not believe it is possible. Is that what is happening in this day? I do not know. I do not dare make a blanket comment regarding preaching or church life in general. I do know, however, that the focus of the majority of preaching, books, and conference breakout sessions are not the Cross. Social media workshops? Yes. Public Proclamation of the glory of the Cross? No.
Some may say that it is understood that as Christians our focus is the Gospel message of salvation beginning with the atoning sacrifice at the Cross. Sounds nice, but is it true? Let me give you an example. I have in front of me a brochure for an upcoming Baptist conference. Here is a list of some of the so-called breakout sessions:
1. Transformational Elements in Worship
2. Beyond Bathrobes: Theater in Christian Education and Worship
3. Contemporary Approaches to Stewardship
4. Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood
5. Social Media in Ministry (told you)
6. Current Threats to Religious Liberty
7. Creating a Healthy Church Culture
8. Trafficked: An Experience in Choices and Consequences
9. Enacted Word: Using Theater to Present Scripture
10. What is the Importance of the Baptist Brand Today?
11. Wanted Dead or Alive (A Workshop on Giving to the church in your will)
Now, this is not an exhaustive list for this conference but none of the others are focused on the centrality of the Gospel Message. There are a couple of Missions focused things, but mostly introducing new people groups to raise money for.
I am for all of these types of things (except maybe the doubling down on theater stuff). I know that these things are important and can be at times directly linked to the propagation of the Gospel message. These are focused on issues that are secondary to the Gospel. In this age we continue to see the message of the Cross itself sacrificed on the altar of cultural relevance and political correctness. We dance around in all these areas and try to slip Jesus'; name in here or there instead of letting His name echo off the walls of every aspect of our lives and ministries. If we close a prayer in Jesus' name we count it a job well done.
I don't see it that way. Call me a Redneck, call me old fashioned, call me outdated, but from where I sit the churches experiencing the most problems are those that have let their opinions and politics shape their church life and not vice-versa. I would rather see 50 people listening to an old leather lunged preacher holler about Jesus than see 1000 people in a service with a watery message that focuses more on building self esteem than building the Kingdom of God.
I am not the perfect pastor and I do not have the perfect church. I am a small fish in a small pond and I love every minute because I believe God is in it. This post is simply the result of the mail I have received in the last few weeks. Maybe my experience is isolated, but I do not believe so. Stand strong and preach the Cross!
Some may say that it is understood that as Christians our focus is the Gospel message of salvation beginning with the atoning sacrifice at the Cross. Sounds nice, but is it true? Let me give you an example. I have in front of me a brochure for an upcoming Baptist conference. Here is a list of some of the so-called breakout sessions:
1. Transformational Elements in Worship
2. Beyond Bathrobes: Theater in Christian Education and Worship
3. Contemporary Approaches to Stewardship
4. Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood
5. Social Media in Ministry (told you)
6. Current Threats to Religious Liberty
7. Creating a Healthy Church Culture
8. Trafficked: An Experience in Choices and Consequences
9. Enacted Word: Using Theater to Present Scripture
10. What is the Importance of the Baptist Brand Today?
11. Wanted Dead or Alive (A Workshop on Giving to the church in your will)
Now, this is not an exhaustive list for this conference but none of the others are focused on the centrality of the Gospel Message. There are a couple of Missions focused things, but mostly introducing new people groups to raise money for.
I am for all of these types of things (except maybe the doubling down on theater stuff). I know that these things are important and can be at times directly linked to the propagation of the Gospel message. These are focused on issues that are secondary to the Gospel. In this age we continue to see the message of the Cross itself sacrificed on the altar of cultural relevance and political correctness. We dance around in all these areas and try to slip Jesus'; name in here or there instead of letting His name echo off the walls of every aspect of our lives and ministries. If we close a prayer in Jesus' name we count it a job well done.
I don't see it that way. Call me a Redneck, call me old fashioned, call me outdated, but from where I sit the churches experiencing the most problems are those that have let their opinions and politics shape their church life and not vice-versa. I would rather see 50 people listening to an old leather lunged preacher holler about Jesus than see 1000 people in a service with a watery message that focuses more on building self esteem than building the Kingdom of God.
I am not the perfect pastor and I do not have the perfect church. I am a small fish in a small pond and I love every minute because I believe God is in it. This post is simply the result of the mail I have received in the last few weeks. Maybe my experience is isolated, but I do not believe so. Stand strong and preach the Cross!
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