Every now and again those who read my blog know that I come out and rant - this is going to be one of them- so buckle your seat belts and come along for the ride.
Firstly I would like insert a disclaimer that I am not having a go at anyone involved in this ministry- I respect them for seeing what needs to be done and jumping in. Also i am not having a go sitting at my desk- I also have helped out with this event in past years in every level from acting to picking up rubbish to ushering to Painting children's faces (badly). And God of course works though all our feeble efforts and does the work not us.
Now to THE RANT:
During the week here in townsville an event was run called "Stable on the Strand." (Our Esplanade) This has multiple areas namely: Stable tent, Stage show, youth area and Children's tent (sorry if i missed any areas) Tonight I'm mainly going to concentrate on point 1 and 2 with a little bit on 3 and 4 if your taking notes. (Sorry NTE joke)
In the lead up to the stable we were feeling the buzz from the various organisers about 'this wonderful evangelistic event'. Apparently 'every year the council lets us put more and more of the gospel in.' I allowed myself to be sucked in looking forward to seeing a refreshing presentation that can be shown to the 1000s of people who come in- many unchurched and often having no contact with the gospel at all and them hear a clear gospel message. Boy was I wrong...
The main focus was the stable tent which started well, there was the guide who announced that Christmas was all about hope and the three wise men/women who set the scene well- introducing Bethlehem. then we saw King Herod, Simeon and Anna, Pregnant Mary, dancing shepherds, baby Jesus and the people handing out bibles and the people blessing people and the prayer wall. The only problem was it was all rush and there was no clear message just a haphazard play on what it might have seen like in play form. but with no meat- I've done primary school plays with more meat. Sure its a great line 'Hope is born today' but what is the hope- there might be a fuzzy connection to Jesus in there somewhere, so he was born to give me hope: Great. I hope I finish uni one day is that the hope? I hope I get a girlfriend one day too- that must be what Jesus came for. NO Jesus came to save the world from their sins and to restore the relationship with God. But instead I was left with a wishy washy picture of Hope and no thrust of where it goes to next. As i read on the Prayer wall some one had thoughtfully put, obviously missing the whole point of blessing, "Lord please bless my telstra shares".
2ndly there was too many difficult things in the plays- I know my biblical accounts well but even i was confused with the interaction between Simeon and Anna followed by the starving family and Gabriel (Did Jesus come to give physical bread?).
3rdly why have people at the end blessing people- I thought it was great that they were handing about bibles and a decent version for ppl to understand. But then after that- hey you stood in line for an 1hr followed by crammed in small sections standing watching plays, have sore feet and probably kids needing to use the loos- Can I give you a blessing? WHY????????... And what is this prayer wall- do you think a base relationship with God might be the last thing people should be dwelling over as they leave the tent.
4thly I couldn't help but laugh as I left the tent and saw a cross outside. Yes finally an indication Christ came to die for our sins. oh no its actually a collection box. But wait there is more you put money and it lights up plays music and says Jesus was born today. hmmm maybe that's the Gospel you put money in and get a bit of gratification/humour and a flashy light show. At least I got a free wristband with hope on it.
Having said that I really enjoyed the stage show and the youth area was quite good. but when it came down to it the whole thing was very much it. All show or rather entertainment. There were some very good gospel snippets but in the end they seemed to be afterthoughts not the main point of the event. And when it comes down to it how is that different from a show put on entirely by non-Christians. If that is the way the organisers are planning I have no problem with it there as a Christmas show and it does give a christian side to the overly secularised event that is Christmas. But stop hoodwinking us by telling us it is 'THE evangelistic event of the year for townsville' unless you put some gospel and some decent evangelism in there.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Where's the Light?
'"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -Matt 5:14-16
*A Car with a bumper sticker that reads, 'Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven," speeds down the highway cutting someone off. As the other Driver scrambles for control of her car, she sees the bumper sticker and yells in frustration, "Does being forgiven give you licence to run me off the road?"
* Two teenagers meet for lunch. One wears a shirt that announces "Jesus is the reason for the season," and the other a jacket with the words "Jesus Rules." Their lunch conversation centres on the latest church gossip. A husband and wife seated nearby and exchange glances. The wife says "If that's the way they talk about each other, I certainly wouldn't want to go to their church."
* A busy executive spends many hours leading the men's ministry at his church and teaching a bible study, but he never seems to have time for his family and constantly loses his temper when he is at home. Each week his children sit in the back of the room where the bible study meets, listening to him teach the scriptures and thinking 'Hypocrite.'
*A demonstrator stands at the fresh grave of a murdered homosexual, holding a sign saying 'He's burning in hell.' Relatives and friends, who have come to mourn their loved one, stare in shock. "If that's the way God really feels," the victim's mother says, "I hate him."
The Driver, the teenagers, the busy executive and the demonstrator all have something in common. They believe they're shining the light of Christ to the world.
If you had encountered these people while you were unsaved, what would you have learned from them? Would you have found their words and actions attractive- or would you have been repulsed by them?
If some one was to give a description of the Gospel based on observing your life, what do you think that person would say? What message is your life proclaiming?
(Taken from 'Shine' by the newsboys)
*A Car with a bumper sticker that reads, 'Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven," speeds down the highway cutting someone off. As the other Driver scrambles for control of her car, she sees the bumper sticker and yells in frustration, "Does being forgiven give you licence to run me off the road?"
* Two teenagers meet for lunch. One wears a shirt that announces "Jesus is the reason for the season," and the other a jacket with the words "Jesus Rules." Their lunch conversation centres on the latest church gossip. A husband and wife seated nearby and exchange glances. The wife says "If that's the way they talk about each other, I certainly wouldn't want to go to their church."
* A busy executive spends many hours leading the men's ministry at his church and teaching a bible study, but he never seems to have time for his family and constantly loses his temper when he is at home. Each week his children sit in the back of the room where the bible study meets, listening to him teach the scriptures and thinking 'Hypocrite.'
*A demonstrator stands at the fresh grave of a murdered homosexual, holding a sign saying 'He's burning in hell.' Relatives and friends, who have come to mourn their loved one, stare in shock. "If that's the way God really feels," the victim's mother says, "I hate him."
The Driver, the teenagers, the busy executive and the demonstrator all have something in common. They believe they're shining the light of Christ to the world.
If you had encountered these people while you were unsaved, what would you have learned from them? Would you have found their words and actions attractive- or would you have been repulsed by them?
If some one was to give a description of the Gospel based on observing your life, what do you think that person would say? What message is your life proclaiming?
(Taken from 'Shine' by the newsboys)
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