Problems of Seeker-Sensitive Worship

Editorial
November/December 1994
Volume 29, Number 6

 

One of the current fads among the churches is the “seeker-sensitive” model of evangelism and worship. This model maintains that the church exists for the benefit of those outside its membership. “We exist to serve you” is the slogan of one church. It is hoped that, through contemporary music, professional quality drama, and short, thought-provoking messages addressing “felt needs,” unchurched people will see their need for Christ and accept Him as Saviour.

Many of these “seeker” services happen on a Saturday evening. No hymns are sung, no offering is received, and no “seeker” is ever asked to do anything. It is entirely a performance with an audience, much as one would find in a Broadway theater.

For those already believing, a more “normal” service is scheduled often on another night of the week. Sunday–the Lord’s Day– is left open for all to do as they wish, going door to door with literature on the special production, playing golf with an unsaved neighbor, or sleeping in and reading the Sunday paper.

Often the focus of most services is on the felt needs.” These are the issues and questions facing life in the 1990’s. Job, family, relationships, and so on, are the center of messages designed to help a person to live more fully and effectively in a hectic society. Douglas Webster writes, “Topics are carefully selected to stress the personal over the doctrinal, and the relational over the abstract.”

Some of the largest of these types of churches provide daycare, fitness centers, cafeterias–in short, things which appeal to present-day felt needs. One can drop the children off, go work out for an hour, bathe and change clothes, eat a quick bite, and–without leaving the building– attend a fast-paced church service.

But, aren’t there a great many Christians who can honestly say that Christ has not met their felt needs”? Aren’t there believers who are followers of Christ, not for their own purposes, but for the purpose of glorifying God? Could Job say that God met his felt needs”? Could Jeremiah? Could Paul? No! But God met every real need, needs of which they were oftentimes ignorant or unaware.

They understood that we do not come to God because He fulfills our needs like some “genie in a bottle.” We come to God, and find that, almost as an afterthought, He provides graciously for His people.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, wrote, “Any teaching…that starts with us and our needs, rather than the glory of God, is unscriptural, and seriously unscriptural. That subjective approach.., is what has led many astray for so many years.”

It is difficult for some of us to see how one can begin with the glory of man or self–including marketing techniques, business style “excellence,” “felt needs,”-and progress to the glory of God. Our approach ought to be pointing out the glory of God and the depravity of man, and then proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, so that the Word of God may change the hearts of its hearers.

While the motives of many in the “seeker” movement are good in that they want to win the lost to Christ, we must also ask a question. Is this model being accepted in mainline churches and the Church of the Brethren just as another means to get more warm bodies and more cold cash to fund denominational programming? Membership continues to decline, and instead of reforming the church and praying for revival, many are content to apply a superficial solution of marketing. The real answer is plain preaching from the Bible–explaining and interpreting the text of Scripture.

One can also note the parallels between the “seeker” movement and the “Re-Imagining” Conference (see Volume 29, Number 3 of the WITNESS). Both say that the church must change to meet modern needs. Both emphasize emotions over sound theology. Both offer little precision as to who God is. Both have a preoccupation with self.

Dr. John Armstrong, a former Baptist pastor, raises several serious objections to the “seeker” movement in the following article. The Brethren Revival Fellowship believes that doctrine and theology should be taken seriously. What we believe affects what we do. Theology must shape our methods. May God help us not to sacrifice our birthright of doctrine and theology for the mess of pottage of methods and marketing.

–CAM

Problems of Seeker-Sensitive Worship

By John H. Armstrong

Over the past decade an entirely new approach to public worship has arisen in a growing number of American churches, both evangelical and otherwise. This new approach commendably takes evangelism, conceived of as reaching those who would not otherwise attend church, very seriously. It believes the church must seek more directly to find those who are increasingly disinterested in her message and invite them to a place where they will clearly hear the Gospel in a culturally relevant manner. This approach treats popular culture as essentially neutral, using scores of modern ideas commonly associated with market strategies and the tastes of those outside the fold of the church.

It is imperative that pastors and other leaders of the church understand this movement and its distinctive claims and philosophies. Because large numbers of churches have adopted it, is not sufficient reason to adopt it without raising some significant questions.

Contemporary style or modern musical lyrics is not the issue. It is not musical instrumentation, or modern language translations of the text of Scripture or liturgy. The issue for most of our churches today is the growth of an entirely new approach to the Lord’s Day worship celebration of the body of Christ. It is an approach which deliberately aims at “marketing” the message of Christ to a selected and defined target audience-often one made up of educated, white, younger “baby-boomers. The stated intention of this gathering is to use both culture–almost always considered neutral-and personal relationships, to build a non-threatening environment where the unchurched “seeker” (Romans 3:10 says, “There is no one who understands, no one who seeks for God”) can hear and see the message of the Gospel in a manner that will not offend or unduly trouble.

The goal is to preach–preferably short messages that are highly topical and anecdotal with much humor–and to provide a service in which man, the so-called “seeker, leaves feeling good and wants very much to try it again and again until, finally, he understands the Gospel and desires to trust Christ and become a part of the church.

This pattern has grown up in the last twenty years through the influence of the “Church Growth Movement” in North America. C. Peter Wagner, its best known advocate, admits that the stress is placed on what is, not on what ought to be. We are urged to study what people do, what they want, what their interests are, etc. Then we are to build a ministry around the is, not what ought to be, based upon a carefully developed theology of God, man, and sin.

Such advocates do not openly disavow simple doctrinal concerns which surround the need to see men and women redeemed. Indeed, they affirm that their goal is to seek the lost through the use of modern marketing principles that will allow an even greater number to be saved because of the sensitivity to the is.

TimeNewsweekthe Wall Street Journal, and major daily papers have chronicled the rise and development of this approach. Almost every major denomination-including the Church of the Brethren–and fast growing churches in America have adopted this approach as the mission strategy of choice in our generation.

What do we say to this?

POSITIVES OF “SEEKER-SENSITIVE” MINISTRY

We can affirm several positives. The “seeker-sensitive” movement has forced us, in various ways, to think more seriously about outreach designed to find those who do not attend church at all. It has led many to think more clearly about good communication skills and how we are being heard by the unbeliever in our age.

It has also fostered the strategy of planting new churches. This, though, is a mixed blessing because most of these churches will no longer exist in a decade or so. (One of our leading denominations planted ten churches–based on this marketing approach–in a major metropolitan region in 1986. Only two of these churches exist today, with one of the two thriving, which is the church that adopted a solid theological basis and was forced out of the very conservative denomination.).

SOME NEGATIVES OF “SEEKER-SENSITIVE”MINISTRY

The negatives of this approach far outweigh the positives. First, a major capitulation to consumerism has occurred. George Barna, a Christian pollster, uses the data he collects to suggest how we should minister as ministers of the Gospel, and even what we should give to the audience at certain points.

This consumerism creates several serious problems:
(1) casual shoppers with a narrow perception of church and sacrifice;
(2) a minimizing emphasis on truth, especially truth which offends modern consumers;
(3) services and church programs built around “meeting people’s felt needs” as an end in itself.

Os Guinness, a Christian social critic, has written,’Meeting needs does not always satisfy needs; it often stokes further ones and raises the pressure of eventual disillusionment.” Such heeds” have no natural limits, and now we even manufacture them and distribute them widely through various kinds of counsel and family-oriented religion. What people are looking for, when they “shop for a church,” is a full-service mall that will provide for every member of their family. Guinness notes, “Need is subject to consumer fashion and becomes shallow, plastic, and manipulative.

The felt needs” of multitudes of such church attendees mask their real need–reconciliation with a God whose wrath is heavily upon their self-centered lives at this very moment.

Second, the “seeker-sensitive” movement has an uncompromising bent toward theological compromise. At the end of the 1800’s, liberalism told us that we needed to make the Gospel message more attractive to its “cultured despisers.” This new approach is telling evangelicals, who would have resisted liberalism and its charms, that there is a better way to get unbelievers to respond to the Gospel.

For example, note these quotations taken directly from the literature of this movement:

“The Bible does not warn against the evils of marketing.”

“So it behooves us not to spend time bickering about techniques and process.”

“Think of your church not as a religious meeting place, but as a service agency– an entity that exists to satisfy people needs.”

“The marketing plan is the ‘Bible’ of the marketing game; everything happens in the life of the product because the plan wills it.”

“The audience, not the message, is sovereign.”

Even the New Yorker Magazine, a secular opinion publication, chides such thinking when it writes, “The preacher, instead of looking out upon the world, looks out upon public opinion, trying to find out what the public would like to hear….He tries his best to duplicate that. (He) turns to our culture to find out about the world. …The unexamined world, meanwhile, drifts into the future.”

Amazing, isn’t it? The children of darkness really are wiser than some of the professed children of the light. In this approach, further, methods take precedence over theology in building church gatherings, especially the Lord’s Day services of worship. These services are deliberately defended as not being worship services by many in this movement.

Sermons preached often have titles like: “How can I have a happier marriage?” “How can I handle finances better?” “How can I find a job I really like?” “How do I get more time for myself?”

One prominent spokesman writes, “Limit your preaching to roughly 20 minutes, because boomers don’t have much time to spare. And don’t forget to keep your messages light and informal, liberally sprinkling them with humor and personal anecdotes.”

A famous American preacher of some years ago wrote, long before “seeker-sensitivity” arose, “Let your whole sermon be organized around their constructive endeavor to meet those needs. All this is good sense and good psychology…. Everybody else is using it from first-class teachers to first-class advertisers. Why should so many preachers continue in such belated fashion to neglect it?” Do you know who said that? Not a modern “seeker-sensitive” proponent, but rather the leading liberal preacher of the 1920’s, Harry Emerson Fosdick, an opponent of the Gospel of free grace.

Finally, this new approach destroys true worship in our churches. How can it do otherwise, since worship is preoccupation with God, not ourselves? It makes the same fatal error of most revivalistic thought which says the reason we gather on the Lord’s Day is to evangelize the lost who have not yet “made a decision” for Christ and joined the church with us. This new approach is not really new; it is just a baby-boomer version of the tent-meeting mentality of the past era.

While multitudes line up to follow this approach, true worship suffers even further decline in our churches. The crisis in worship, written of so powerfully fifty years ago by A. W. Tozer, has only gotten deeper and deeper since his death in 1963. It really is “The Missing Jewel of the Evangelical Church.” We don’t worship, precisely because we don’t know the God of the Bible.

Until theology is restored to its proper place through reformation, this tendency will never change. Theology must be restored to a central place precisely because theology is careful, reflective thought about God. This very thought creates the soil for a growing worship experience that brings delight to God and joy for the true worshipper.

We need to ask: “What does God require of us, where does true worship begin, and what has Scripture ordained for us to do when we worship?” Most assume anything we offer to God, as long as it is sincere, is just fine. Not so, and the first three commandments are being seriously violated by much of our modern worship efforts. As in the Protestant Reformation, we need a major recovery in the whole area of public worship. Our idolatries are just as serious, and the consequences are the continuing judgment of God upon our churches.

Brian Edwards has written, “The church was conceived in a prayer meeting and came to birth in a sermon.” Drama, mime, festive dance, and other novelties have never preceded great awakenings, or any true reformations based solidly on Scripture. A simple consideration of church history reveals something quite different. What we need, wrote an old Methodist, is less organizing and more agonizing.

John Calvin wrote an important tract titled, “The Necessity of Reforming the Church.” In it he argued that the principal place in the Christian religion lies in our worship. The beginning place, he reasoned, was not the source of our salvation but rather “the mode in which God is duly worshipped.” Why is worship of first importance in the Christian religion? Because human beings so quickly turn to their own wisdom, not God’s revelation.

If worship is left “open” to our best intentions, we will always manufacture golden calves and Asherah poles of our sincere, well-intentioned, design! God abominates our best efforts. He wants only what He has ordained, what is according to His revelation and His character. Until the modern church rediscovers this kind of biblical theology, any pretended awakening is both shallow and ultimately harmful.


(Adapted, by permission, from Reformation & Revival Ministries, Inc. Update,
Vol. 3, No. 3, May-June 1994.)
John H. Armstrong, of Carol Stream. Illinois, is director of Reformation & Revival Ministries, which publishes Reformation & Revival Journal, a quarterly publication designed for church leaders and meant to foster reformation and prayer for and understanding of revival.

THE BOOK OF DANIEL

Captivity… Dreams… Rulers… Fire… Lions… Prayers… Kingdoms. From a dedicated youth to a faithful sage, Daniel’s life stands as an example to follow.  Yet beyond his personal life, God gifted Daniel with a message of future events.  Though difficult to grasp, these events would shape the world for the coming Messiah and the Second Coming of Christ as King.

STUDIES IN LUKE

Luke presents a warmly personal and historically accurate account of Jesus as “the Son of Man.” This course will survey the Third Gospel, with emphasis on the unique events, miracles, and parables of Jesus found in it.

HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

This class will provide a broad overview of general church history. We will then focus on the Anabaptist and Pietist movements, especially as they relate to the formation and development of the Brethren groups. This is a two-part class. Plan to take both parts.

ONE FOUNDATION

This course is intended to lay down a measure in a world where truth is slippery and often subject to interpretation. Where “Christian Values” become a political slogan, and “good people” are our allies despite their faulty core beliefs. Where Facebook “friends” post memes about the power of God, despite a lifestyle that is anything but Godly. In the process we often fight among ourselves, doing Satan’s work for him. The purpose of this course is to lay the measure of Jesus Christ against the cults, religions, and worship in our contemporary world.

THE APOCRYPHA

While Protestant translations of the Bible contain 66 books, the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches recognize additional canonical books as well.  Where did these books, collectively known as the Apocrypha, come from and why aren’t they part of our Bible?  How reliable are they, and what value is there in studying them?

STUDIES IN 1 AND 2 PETER

The goal of this class is to acquire a firm grasp of the teachings and themes of these two general epistles. Peter covers topics from salvation and suffering to spiritual deception and the return of Christ. These letters are packed with warnings and encouragements for Christian living.

THE GREAT I AM’S OF CHRIST

A detailed study of Jesus Christ and His relationship to the “I Am” metaphors in John’s gospel. Why did Jesus describe himself in these terms? How do they relate to each other? We will look at spiritual and practical applications to further our Christian growth.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: AN AMERICAN CULT

Have you ever been visited by someone who said they wanted to study the Bible with you so that you might discover the truth together?  Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to have much in common with evangelical Christians, and they seem to be well versed in the scriptures.  But what do they really believe and how can we effectively witness to those who have been ensnared by this false religion?

THE BOOK OF HOSEA

While we may consider Hosea as one of the minor prophets, his message vividly illustrates the major doctrine in all Scriptures.  The theme of God’s unconditional love is magnified and extended beyond those deserving it.  God expresses tender words towards His erring people inviting them to turn from sin to reconciliation with Him.

CHURCH LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION

This course will look at basic principles and polity of leading the local church. We will examine the balance between upholding a spiritually focused organism of ministry and cultivating proper order for effective organization. Practical applications will be emphasized. This is a two-part class. Plan to take both parts.

STATEMENT OF CONDUCT

The Brethren Bible Institute believes in the discipline of the whole person (spirit, soul, and body). We will aim to train students not only about how to study the Bible in a systematic way (2 Timothy 2:15), but also how to live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12). God calls Christians to the highest of character when He commands us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15), and holiness requires discipline.

Indulgence in the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, drugs, profanity, and gambling are forbidden at BBI. Objectionable literature will be prohibited. Students are asked not to use the college pool during the Institute. Each student must be thoughtful, and respect the rights of others at all times, especially during study and rest periods.

A friendly social group intermingling of students between class periods, and at general school activities is encouraged. Each student should enjoy the friendship of the entire group. At all times, highest standards of social conduct between men and women must be maintained. This means that all forms of unbecoming behavior and unseemly familiarities will be forbidden.

Personal appearance and grooming tell much about one's character. Students are expected to be dressed in good taste. In an attempt to maintain Scriptural expressions of simplicity, modesty, and nonconformity, the following regulations shall be observed while attending BBI.

MEN should be neatly attired and groomed at all times. Fashion extremes and the wearing of jewelry should be avoided on campus. The hair should not fall over the shirt-collar when standing, nor should it cover the ears.

WOMEN should wear skirts cut full enough and of sufficient length to at least come to the knees when standing and sitting. Form-fitting, transparent, low-neckline, or sleeveless clothing will not be acceptable. Slacks and culottes are permitted only for recreation and then only when worn under a skirt of sufficient length. Wearing jewelry should be avoided on campus. Long hair for women is encouraged and all Church of the Brethren girls (and others with like convictions) shall be veiled on campus.

The Institute reserves the right to dismiss any student whose attitude and behavior is not in harmony with the ideals of the School, or whose presence undermines the general welfare of the School, even if there is no specific breach of conduct.

The Brethren Bible Institute is intended to provide sound Bible teaching and wholesome Christian fellowship for all who desire it. The Bible School Committee worked hard and long at the task of arriving at standards, which will be pleasing to the Lord. It is not always easy to know just where the line should be drawn and we do not claim perfection. No doubt certain standards seem too strict for some and too loose for others. If you are one who does not share all these convictions, we hope you will agree to adjust to them for the School period, for the sake of those who do. We are confident that the blessings received will far outweigh any sacrifice you may have to make. If you have a special problem or question, please write to us about it. To be accepted as a student at BBI, you will need to sign a statement indicating that you will cooperate with the standards of the School.