Beloved only the true Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power of God unto the salvation of man. Zeal without the actual Gospel is misplaced zeal. Today's super-apostles might convince someone to come back to their church but they are not saved and while they were expending so much energy, how many sheep have wandered off through the pen door they left open? Nevertheless, Carey Nieuwhof soldiers on to list and discuss the seven things he believes Christians need to give up to reach the unchurched:
1. "Music - Many churches who call themselves contemporary" aren't. They're just more contemporary than they used to be. Have you listened to the top 40 on iTunes or Spotify recently? Probably not" because you hate that music. You even tell yourself it isn't music. There's no guitar. It's all beats. And what's with the vocal Olympics? Why can't they make music like they used to (like in the 90s), you say to yourself? Which may be part of the reason your church struggles to reach anyone under 40. Sadly, well-meaning self-deception runs rampant in church leadership today." -- Carey Nieuwhof
Really. Seven things Christians need to give up to attract the unchurched and we lead off with carnal music? This is how twisted the minds of purpose driven leadership are though. The church is not supposed to have anything to do with the world. Christians are supposed to be pilgrims and sojourners whose citizenship is in heaven but Carey Nieuwhof thinks that we need to check out the beats on the top 40 secular song list to draw people into church. This is why Perry Noble last year had his worship team do Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" and Hillsong London did "I Like To Move It, Move It." So when confronted with how to draw people who do not know Jesus, Carey looked to Spotify. Not one of the Gospels. Not the fact that the grave was defeated. Not the healing and provision that comes in Christ alone. Spotify. This is the purpose driven model however. Rick Warren canvassed his neighborhood before his church opened to ask what they wanted and they said club music. None of that blood and cross stuff. So he gave it to them. The result is worship music has gone from How Great Thou Art to How Much He Loves Me. One is focused on how great God is and the other on how great we are. But hey, as long as it is popular.
2. "Politics - I'm not sure politics has been this divisive in a generation or two. But I promise you; it's divisive. Just check your social media feed. I know many people who say they have stopped following people on social channels and avoid the news because they're so upset by the divisiveness. By definition, your church needs to include people who are different than you." -- Carey Nieuwhof
I agree that politics are divisive and have relatively no place in the pulpit. The problem here is that Carey gauges everything based on carnal logic and human wisdom instead of the Bible. If you preach the Gospel then you do not need to develop schemes, organize leadership seminars, or write articles exposing how little you understand the Gospel. You must understand that the true Gospel is meant to divide:
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. -- Matthew 10: 34-35 (ESV)
The purpose driven mindset is one of Kumbaya unity not grounded in solid doctrine. In fact the only people blessedly subtracted are those that disagree, who are usually those that want sound doctrine. Mr. Nieuwhof would continue:
3. "Style - It seems the likes and dislikes of Christians run deep and wide these days. You know what that is? It's pettiness. And church leaders, you need to choose who you focus on: members or those not yet coming to your church. I agree with my friend Reggie Joiner who says leaders should focus on who they want to reach, not who they want to keep." -- Carey Nieuwhof
