“I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids dies of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said ‘shit’ than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.”

- Tony Campolo

And therein lies my problem with the church in America. I’m not a big Tony Campolo fan, but that quote pretty much nails it. Christians are so busy arguing over the little things that they miss the big picture. And it isn’t limited to world hunger. Abortion is another issue. I’ve blogged about it before, but just to rehash things, what is more important – fighting a losing battle to outlaw abortion or developing Christian alternatives to Planned Parenthood that would greatly decrease the amount of abortions taking place? And if you think we can have both, pass the pipe cause I want to smoke what you’re smoking.

Of course, those are just two examples of issues outside the four walls of the church. But even inside the church, Christians are so busy bickering and fighting with each other it’s no wonder my unchurched friends don’t want to have anything to do with the church. Hell, I don’t want to have anything to do with it. I once read an anonymous quote that said “I love Jesus; it’s His fan club I can’t stand.” A perfect example can be found on YouTube. NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC began a sermon series on Easter Sunday entitled The Gospel. Part one was called Highway To Hell, and they kicked off service with the band performing a cover of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell. Personally, I think that’s awesome, especially considering the fact that Easter Sunday is the most attended day in most churches around the world. NewSpring reported that over 300 people accepted Christ on Easter Sunday. Would some of those have accepted Christ without hearing Highway To Hell in church? Probably. As scripture says, the spirit of God draws men unto salvation, so nothing you or I do can influence a person’s choice to accept Christ. Unless, of course, God uses you to lead them to him. What if God used an AC/DC song to push some of those people over the edge? From what I’ve read, NewSpring has heard from dozens of members who have said that had it not been for the band playing Highway To Hell, their father, brother, son, sister, husband, daughter, etc. would have left without making a decision to follow Christ.

Now, I understand that some people have a problem with this whole situation. And that’s okay. I’ve read several blog posts and YouTube comments from people who, while they didn’t agree with the methods, praised God for the 300 that accepted Christ that Sunday. What disgusts me are the people who blog or comment about the performance and show no resemblance to Christ in their attitudes. Some have even gone so far as to question the salvation of those 300 from Easter Sunday! Just Google NewSpring Highway To Hell and read some of the garbage that shows up in the top 10.

A similar example is methodology. Until recently I was visiting a church but finally had to stop going because I was sick of hearing the pastor drag churches through the mud instead of sharing with me something God revealed to him in the Bible. Do you really think Jesus cares if you worship him through a hymn as opposed to a Hillsong United song? No! As long as He is glorified. Do you really think that Jesus prefers preaching over teaching? Again, no. As His message is delivered the rest doesn’t matter. Do you think Jesus prefers exegetical sermons over topical sermons? Or the lighting in the sanctuary? Or the volume of the music? Or the way you’re dressed? NO!!!! Those are all HUMAN preferences.

With that in mind, I’m reminded of Mark 3:24-25. I don’t blame the liberals for a lack of values and morality in America. Nor do I blame the “gay agenda”. And I won’t even blame the media or the press. I’m blaming all of us who call ourselves Christians, because the church in America is a house divided. Is there a perfect church out there? No. But when people spend more time arguing semantics than they spend showing the love of Christ to everyone they encounter then we are a house divided.

Should church leaders (paid and volunteer), and specifically pastors, be held to a higher standard than other Christians?

Before you comment, consider the various scriptures which designate all believers as priests or ministers of the Gospel, regardless of their vocation. (1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 4:1, Revelation 5:10 should be sufficient)

I know where I’ll be on Sundays at 5:00 pm (CST) beginning August 16th.

North Point Online Promo from John on Vimeo.

http://NorthPointOnline.tv

If you don’t follow The Resurgence Blog, you need to. Great posts from a variety of writers like Mark Driscoll, Tim Smith, Matt Johnson, Bob Thune and others.

Anyways, Matt Johnson has written a series of posts called Thoughts on Music for the Media-Gorged and while they’ve all been great, part 5 really spoke to me. One point Johnson made was especially relevant to me, and that is how many Christians take a hardline approach to music and claim that you should only listen to Christian music and that listening to secular music pollutes your mind and soul (can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the “garbage in – garbage out” explanation). Which of course Johnson rebukes by showing how, “if Paul hadn’t “polluted” his mind with pagan poetry, he wouldn’t have had sermon material to work with when he spoke on Mars Hill in Acts 17.”

Johnson also points out that scripture does not give us freedom for freedom’s sake, but that “mature Christians in step with the Spirit can cautiously engage thematically raw music, while not allowing a blank check mentality for sin.”

But that’s just a taste of what Matt Johnson wrote about. Check out part 5 and also the complete series.