Comments on: Seeker Sensitive

By: Kristin

Kristin — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:12:07 +0000

When I think about s/s congregations I dont just think of a church where the preacher tries to tailor his message to his audience...its more than that...its an entire identity and I tend to think now that the assembly isnt where we "reach people with the gospel." I mean, that happens...but we try to make the one or two times a week that we meet (whenever that might be) do all of the things that we should be doing the rest of the week...at all times in our walk. we let the preacher and those with the titles be the "priests" and...I dont know. Its a domino affect in my eyes. The focus is God, not "seekers." And, you know what? I'm a Seeker...

By: Sam's Dad

Sam's Dad — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:10:47 +0000

When someone visits in my home. I hope they notice that my family is in love. In the same way, when someone visits my church assembly, I hope they see a family in love with each other and with their Christ. The apostle Paul talked about this in Corinthians. He said to manage their assemblies in such a way that an outsider would fall on his face and say, “surely God is present among these people.”

By: Brad

Brad — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:35:17 +0000

In my experience most any honest effort to reach people with the gospel is better than no effort. I’ve seen people use a lot of methods that I thought were no good that resulted in genuine response. So even though I’m not a big fan of s/s services I’m still rooting for them.

One temptation that comes with them is to try to sell the gospel rather than preaching it. I’ve done it myself. The seeker must be exposed to more than messages of free forgiveness and salvation to make an informed and lasting decision. Some s/s services do a better job of this than others.

By: Alan Gable

Alan Gable — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:40:18 +0000

Todd,
I’m so sheltered that I didn’t even know what you were talking about with the “seeker sensitive” thing. I did a little research and it seems that most of the folks writing about this are either stoutly defensive or in attack mode. I prefer neither. If it is what I think it is, I see no problem with tailoring your message to your audience. And I think Paul would back me up on that. (Mars Hill and what not.)

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:21:54 +0000

I don’t think that our churches should necissarily be “seeker sensetive” as a congregation. I think that we should be as individuals, but I agree with Kristin when she points out that we need to be worshiping & glorifying God in our assemblies. That needs to be the focus. Now, that doesn’t mean that we exclude any seekers that may be present by giving our assemblies a “holier than thou feel.” It simply means that I think that when our assemblies are authentic, or sincere or real or whatever word you want to use, they will naturally be appealing to any outsider who may be present.

By: Jonathan Storment

Jonathan Storment — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:30:03 +0000

Todd, I used to big a huge fan of the seeker services. I went to Willowcreek thinking it was like Mecca. I think the beauty of this model is that it wants to open up the Kingdom of God to everyone. The heart behind it is good, and so it’s hard to criticize it but…

Part of the problem is that it plays into the consumer mindset that most of American Christianity has become entrenched in. As if God wanted a tithe of our lives instead of all of us. It can mute the cost of discipleship and make church more like a country club (Dallas Willard wrote a book called the Great Ommission dealing with our lack of call to discipleship). It also reduces church to something other than what it was created to be. A group of people who meet together for an hour a week.

I heard Atchley say this the other day, Nowhere in the Bible is someone estranged from God commanded to seek, instead the people of God are commanded to seek for people. They embody a different way of life, not just a different address on Sunday mornings. The best churches are the ones who produce a different kind of disciple, one who makes their world a better place. When we meet people like that we are automatically drawn to what made them that way.

With all that said, it seems that there is mystery when the people of God get together, and instead of trying to remove that, maybe we could try to unpack it for the people who are visiting.

Anyway this is just where I am at right now, good post Todd.

By: Brent Logan

Brent Logan — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:22:37 +0000

I like your topic -- it inspired me to write a post of my own. In short, I compare the phases our church's guitar group has gone through with churches having seeker services. I think they're a good idea.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:33:01 +0000

Todd: you stopped by my place; I figured I drop by yours. In answer to your questions…

What does that phrase mean to you?
a) Bad news.
b) Our church is desperate to fill the pews and we don’t believe simply preaching the word is effective enough to draw people.
c) The church down the street is “doing it” and a lot of people are showing up, so it must be right.

What are your experiences with “seeker-sensitive” worship services?
a) Nothing but a venue for the worship leader and his guitarist friend to show off the latest licks they’ve learned.
b) “I Can Only Imagine” is NOT supposed to be sung “congregationally.“
c) An inch “deep” and a mile wide.

Do you think it’s an effective model?
a) Yes…of how to raise up a weak, shallow congregation of people that believe truth is relative.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:53:53 +0000

Steven, you’re right. I do. I feel as if I need to repent every time it’s been a week since I posted last. I commit to ending that nasty and self-pitying habit.

By: kristin

kristin — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:09:33 +0000

I love what Vince says. Thanks. Man, if I could only say everything I needed to in that few words sometimes.

Reading back over my post I dont even know if its sounds like I am saying anything like what Vince said…but, ditto.

The only thing I would clairfy for myself is that coming together as the Body should also not be about getting our needs met. I’m not saying thats what VInce is saying…

My needs are certainly met when I am gathered together with those who follow God but that isnt why we meet together. God can do lots of things at once!