By Amy Jacobs, Christian Daily.
Evangelical leaders believe Americans pick a church based on how friendly it is and how the children’s programs are.
That’s what 19 percent of U.S. evangelical leaders said in a survey that asked them to list three criteria that Americans prioritize when choosing a church.
Rounding out the top three criteria was worship music, 16 percent of evangelical leaders believe.
Greg Johnson, president of Standing Together, recognized that people are consumers, “like it or not.”
“Without a friendly, attractive and energetic first impression, they will usually not return for a second impression,” he said in the survey.
Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee would like to think that people would select a church based on how preachers interpret Scriptures, spiritual vitality, authenticity and missional passion.
But, she admitted, “that is not the world I currently observe.”
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Hey now don’t forget in the pcusa that we have added more choices for church shoppers, we’re welcoming and affirming of gay couples, gay marriage, couples that are shacking up, swingers, practicing abortionist, zen buddhist.. etc
Well, people today are in it for their own self-gratification, not to honor, obey or worship God. When churches cater to that thinking, it’s no wonder there is so much doubt today.
Victoria Osteen: “I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God — I mean, that’s one way to look at it — we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy,” she declared in the undated 36-second clip with her husband standing by her side and nodding. “That’s the thing that gives Him the greatest joy…”
“So, I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy,” Osteen continues. “When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really. You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy. Amen?”
http://christiannews.net/2014/09/06/i-stand-by-my-point-joel-osteens-wife-unrepentant-over-remarks-of-worshiping-god-for-self/
Thanks Carmen for standing for the truth!
When it comes to the precipitous drop in Church attendance over the last 50 years, the Church continues to ask the wrong questions of the wrong people. Instead of asking the fewer and fewer who stay why they stay, they should be asking the more and more who are leaving, why do they leave?
Is this public information part of your marketing mission for the new EPC, Dan? Looks like the evangelical movement has a new kid on the block.
Everything about what Dan says is disqualified by Red_Dirt’s astute critique. Why anyone would bother to deal with the substance of what he said, when it’s clear that he’s got a motive for writing it, is beyond me. We need more, not less, of Red_Dirt’s rhetorical technique in the marketplace of ideas, lest people like Dan continue to express an opinion that doesn’t belong in the conversation.