Responding to Brett Yee's Blog

This is in response to Brett's MP520 - Reflection - Lecture 1-9-08.

Two things I liked about Brett's entry: First, I liked what Brett had to say about the church needing to becoming more incarnational. Second, I also feel a little pessimistic sometimes about Church and how its being done.

One thing I would like to expound upon: I think its hard not to be really critical about such things as "entertainment evangelism." The juxtaposition of these two words reveals the trivialization that has taken place in Western Christianty. The absurdity of what takes place on Sunday mornings in some (not all) churches shocks me. Why is there a perceived need for such things as videos, rock bands, djs, dancing, expensive lighting arrays, cameras in the aisles, simultaneous painting or sculpting during service etc? I am convinced that the Western Church is going through an identity crisis right now. Prior to the enlightenment the Church was the high authority on science and the nature of reality. Church was also the main event in a community every week. There was not much to rival Church back then because this was the time before TV and a plethora of leisure activities. However, in a post enlightenment world the Church is no longer seen as the authority for science and reality or the main place where community happens. So in response to this loss in prestige the Church has desired a new prestige; to become the harbinger of all things artistic, entertaining, fun and sensational. But the Church's identity can not be located in these things. When the Church places its focus on becoming this kind of place for people (even with the intention for it all to be for evangelism) it inevitably marginalizes its Gospel message. The Gospel message is not, being a Christ follower is intrinsically fun and entertaining. God's purpose in your life is to help you achieve personal greatness in your career path and relationships. Rather the message we are called to is about, sacrifice, love, servant hood and death to ourselves.