Forthright Magazine http://forthright.net Straight to the Cross The Fellowship Room, warm posts and hearty communion. http://fellowshiproom.org/ COLUMN: REALITY CHECK Worship and television by Stan Mitchell http://tinyurl.com/bqageoy "In faith, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, charity." (Alexander Campbell) Who decides what format our worship will take? Does our taste and preference enter into the discussion at all? I think it does, given that we have satisfied whatever guidelines the Lord has left for us to follow. It seems that these days young people and old, the left-wing and the right have an opinion about what worship should be like. The old Restoration motif once again demonstrates the wisdom of the early leaders of our movement. Where God has taken the trouble to leave us instructions we should respectfully and rigorously apply. Where he has not given guidance, we are left to our own wisdom, so long as the result is loving and deeply respectful toward others. One thing we need to ensure, however. Whatever our worship looks like, it should not take its cues from the world. Ours is the most entertainment-centered culture in history, and the most prominent entertainment influence of all has to be television. For good or ill, education or disinformation, it has had an incalculable effect on our lives. Television burns images into the brain; in fact, when the average length of a picture on television is 3.5 seconds long, that is all that television needs to deliver its message — an image, not an analysis, nor an examination of the subject. Neal Postman, in his book Amusing Ourselves To Death devotes a chapter to religion on television. After viewing hundreds of hours of the likes of Oral Roberts, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker, (his sanity survived!) he concludes: "On television, religion, like everything else is presented, quite simply and without apology, as an entertainment." Quentin J. Schulze in his book Televangelism and American Culture declares: "It appears that Televangelism does not compete so much as it subverts the local church." Then he adds, 'While Televangelism alters America's concept of the church, it also transforms our notion of worship...local congregational worship seems more and more like a Hollywood production." John McArthur says: "Churches, zealous to attract the unchurched have utilized virtually every form of amusement. More and more churches are eliminating preaching from their worship services and opting instead for drama, variety shows and the like." The church apes nearly every fad of secular society. Heavy-metal rock, rap, graffiti, break dancing, body building, brick smashing, jazzercise, interpretive dance and stand-up comedy have been added to the evangelical repertoire. Many assume that without some gimmick the gospel message just won't reach people, and unless we accommodate it to the fashion of our day, we can't hope for it to be effective. "The compromise," McArthur concludes, "has resulted in churches doing everything possible to cater to the appetites of the unchurched." So who decides what form our worship will take? It might be good to lend an ear to what the one whom we worship has to say. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/bqageoy COLUMN: ENCOURAGING WORD Keystone by Paula Harrington http://tinyurl.com/csclugf I traveled with a group of fifth graders recently to Frankfort, Kentucky and toured the Commonwealth's old Capitol building. Built in 1827, by native Kentuckian Gideon Shryock, the building has a most unique feature, a self-supporting marble staircase. A keystone weighing approximately 1000 lbs sits at the top holding the steps in place. It is a sight to see as the entire staircase appears as if it is unsupported. Although the largest stone looks like all the others, it's much different. If one wasn't aware of the great strength and importance of that stone, you might not notice it at all. It does quite well at blending in, but the staircase wouldn't be there if that stone didn’t bear the weight for the others. As the tour guide made his speech about that keystone, my mind drifted to my keystone. Christ sits at the top, holding my mess of a life together. He is supportive, stable, and provides the way to Heaven. He takes the little I have to offer and works wonders. He came to this world and blended in, yet was much different from those around him. Many didn't recognize him for who he was. However, there were some who knew that he was the key to life. The world will offer many keystones. It will try to sell us the lie that money will sustain us. It will tell us that if we devote ourselves to our career, it will advance us. The world promises that if we had the best looks, that certain person, or material possession our life would be better. It tricks us into thinking that this life is about our pursuits and it will do all it can to squeeze Christ out of the mix. Choose the keystone who offers peace and mercy. The supporter who loves people, forgives them for their shortcomings and sees us, not for our bad decisions, faults, or sins, but as children of God, dearly loved and always accepted. Trust the one who never fails and never wavers. The eternal keystone who holds our lives together when we can't see the way and works our trials out for good. He is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17). Stay on the path that is taking you higher and closer to God. Choose Jesus. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/csclugf You can help get the word out. 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