Ancient Paths Blog

Mark Driscoll Does Old Time Religion

So many  people attribute the success of various modern, cutting edge churches to the raw, informal, hip, or technologically driven style of the pastor or the service.  There's no doubt those things can draw a crowd - but whether they can make for a church is another question...

At any rate, I was delighted to see Mark Driscoll, pastor of Seattle's raw, informal, hip, and technologically  driven Mars Hill Church tossing all that to the wind in his contribution to the Easter Sermon Jam last month.

In this short video we see Mark doing it old style - black suit, white shirt and tie; big black Bible repeatedly thumped while pacing; unabashedly, unavoidably and passionately loud in his delivery; a full choir - in robes no less! - behind him...

This IS your grandfather's preaching - your gandfather's gospel - your gandfather's Lord and Savior being magnified -- all by the grunge city's hippest pastor. 

This proves that Christ's church is built "'...not by might, nor by power; but by My Spirit,' says the LORD."

Preach it brother Mark!

 

When Pragmatists Run the Church

I was recently asked by a member of our congregation via Facebook to comment on an article at ChristianityToday.com regarding automated giving in Church.  The article entitled E-giving: Bring the Convenience of Electronic Payments to Church Tithes and Donationsthought this was a good idea principally because "many of your members have been eagerly waiting for the convenience of tithing or donating electronically" already and "giving a tithe or donation using online services is even easier than buying a value-meal."

The bottom line however is the bottom line as "the convenience of electronic giving could lead to increased giving and reduced costs associated with handling cash" and with the set up of automated electronic giving "donations continue to be made even if the congregant is not able to attend."

Here's how I replied:

The Theology of Relevance: Preaching the Ancient Faith or a New Prosperity Gospel?

Harping again on the theology of relevance - it's amazing to see confirmed the timeless wisdom of scripture.  I'm thinking of that statement from the book of Ecclesiastes saying, "What goes around comes around" - a rough paraphrase of ch.1, verse 9: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

I say "amazing" but it's also grieving, especially when what is recurring is man's uncanny ability to focus on himself.  Even in the Church, if we're not careful, it becomes all about Me.  Now.  The current theology of relevance in evangelicalism with its emphasis on life in this present world has found it has as a venerable ancestor the classic liberalism of the 19th and 20th century which disdained doctrinal orthodoxy, rejected the transcendent realities of the Spirit and sought instead to improve man's lot in this present life.  How shocking it must be to all these suburban hipsters to find the relevance church also has a first cousin in the word of faith, "name it and claim it," prosperity gospel crowd!

Does Your Church Leadership Appear Confused?

In describing the characteristics of competent leadership we would most likely use the words visionary, decisive, and self-confident.  Such a person has in mind a definite goal; has foreseen all possible contingencies that may arise; has formulated the best possible course of action to accomplish the most progress toward the goal while utilizing the least amount of resources along the way.  That plan is then laid out with an assurance that inspires others to follow.