A result of dropping "Fundamentalist" from the label of our church
Forum category
An aritlce posted here on SI soon will reveal that we at SVBC are indeed part of the fundamentalist heritage. Furthermore the article will reveal I’m grateful for that.
However, it is true that for sometime we have decidedly “dropped” the fundamentalist “tag” from any PR we do as a church. A really fun thing has happened sense we made that move. Prior to that move we attracted not all, not even most but a definite sub-group of individuals who I’d characterize as “self-righteous” to either a greater degree (The Pharisee) or to a lesser degree (The Pharisaic). Sense we dropped the tag, we’ve been connecting effectively with sinners left and right and there has been a noticeable absense of that first sub-group that would occasionaly pop it’s head in the door. Apparently the word is out! This second group (“the sinners”) would be both the “saved kind” of sinners and the “not-yet-but-saved-soon” kind of sinners. The difference between the groups are stark. The first group (the self-righteous) would regularly want to spend lengthy discussions on the excessively trivial - such as how the words of the songs were just not consistent with the genre of the hymn or song sung, to name just one of a multitude of potential issues. (An occasional discussions or even disagreement about a song used here or there is not the issue…a constant attitude is the issue.). The second group loved the fact that we sang like 6 songs all talking about how wonderful Jesus is. They want to know if we can do that again next week. My response is “you bet man!” There response is “awesome!” I then get a high five or a hug. They then look at me and say, “Thanks Joel for being my friend.” The first group look as beautiful as the Mormon family next door. Many of the second group, well - they don’t look as beautiful as that first family. As a matter of fact some of them look weary like they’ve been on a long journey and are tired, yet releaved. You can see it in their eyes when you ask them what they think of Jesus. A tear comes to their eye, and they shake their head and say something like, “Man…I can’t believe the love of God.” You ask the first type and you get a really excellent orthodox answer but usually I didn’t see a tear or anything….too overt. Members of the second group on occasion come in with tat’s and left-over markings on their bodies from when they were in the world. Recently a guy who was a lead singer in a heavy metal rock band came in with his hair cut after worshipping with us for a few months with his hair not so short. He said no one told him to do that he just felt it was the thing to do. All of a sudden we are discipling people who have interesting backgrounds. I can see why Jesus prefered the second group to the first group. I do too.
One more note that I just mentioned on my facebook page - “I certainly don’t want to be self-righteous towards the self-righteous, so I stand ready to embrace the Pharisee (or the Pharisaic) who by God’s grace finally realizes he’s thus, and no longer wishes to be one.”
Straight Ahead!
jt
However, it is true that for sometime we have decidedly “dropped” the fundamentalist “tag” from any PR we do as a church. A really fun thing has happened sense we made that move. Prior to that move we attracted not all, not even most but a definite sub-group of individuals who I’d characterize as “self-righteous” to either a greater degree (The Pharisee) or to a lesser degree (The Pharisaic). Sense we dropped the tag, we’ve been connecting effectively with sinners left and right and there has been a noticeable absense of that first sub-group that would occasionaly pop it’s head in the door. Apparently the word is out! This second group (“the sinners”) would be both the “saved kind” of sinners and the “not-yet-but-saved-soon” kind of sinners. The difference between the groups are stark. The first group (the self-righteous) would regularly want to spend lengthy discussions on the excessively trivial - such as how the words of the songs were just not consistent with the genre of the hymn or song sung, to name just one of a multitude of potential issues. (An occasional discussions or even disagreement about a song used here or there is not the issue…a constant attitude is the issue.). The second group loved the fact that we sang like 6 songs all talking about how wonderful Jesus is. They want to know if we can do that again next week. My response is “you bet man!” There response is “awesome!” I then get a high five or a hug. They then look at me and say, “Thanks Joel for being my friend.” The first group look as beautiful as the Mormon family next door. Many of the second group, well - they don’t look as beautiful as that first family. As a matter of fact some of them look weary like they’ve been on a long journey and are tired, yet releaved. You can see it in their eyes when you ask them what they think of Jesus. A tear comes to their eye, and they shake their head and say something like, “Man…I can’t believe the love of God.” You ask the first type and you get a really excellent orthodox answer but usually I didn’t see a tear or anything….too overt. Members of the second group on occasion come in with tat’s and left-over markings on their bodies from when they were in the world. Recently a guy who was a lead singer in a heavy metal rock band came in with his hair cut after worshipping with us for a few months with his hair not so short. He said no one told him to do that he just felt it was the thing to do. All of a sudden we are discipling people who have interesting backgrounds. I can see why Jesus prefered the second group to the first group. I do too.
One more note that I just mentioned on my facebook page - “I certainly don’t want to be self-righteous towards the self-righteous, so I stand ready to embrace the Pharisee (or the Pharisaic) who by God’s grace finally realizes he’s thus, and no longer wishes to be one.”
Straight Ahead!
jt
Joel Tetreau wrote: I can see why Jesus prefered the second group to the first group.Wow.
First group = Pharisees?
Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?
Discussion