Making Merchandise in The Church No 1

Making Merchandise in The Church

By Movies and Entertainment

By Gregory A. Albright

Making Merchandise in The Church By Movies and Entertainment By Gregory A. Albright I received in the mail a magazine called, "OUTREACH," an ecumenical church resource magazine which contains many different ideas on how to attract more people to your church. Now that sounds very good, but they have no standards or scripture for the ideas that they advocate. This is basically a sales magazine offering direct mailings, banners, door hangers, invitations, signs, bulletin covers and much more. Most issues I just throw away because I have no need for the wares that they are selling. Not all of the things in this magazine that are for sale are bad, but most of the sales tools are not what I would use. It seems in these last days that many have turned to marketing Jesus, and in doing so they leave very little room for the Holy Spirit of God to do His work. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you." (2 Peter 2:1-3) You see, the last part of these verses is what seems to be the bottom line: "make merchandise of you." The spring edition of this magazine promoted a Hollywood movie. Years ago it all started out with what I call "puppets and muppets" for young children. Next came the Christian videos and cartoons for kids. When Satan introduces something into the church, he starts small and works his way up so as to not shock the congregation. The concept of presenting a Hollywood movie took time, as this would never have happened twenty to thirty years ago, yet today it seems to be mainstream Christianity. The movie of course has a religious theme, and is entitled: "The Passion of The Christ." The ads claim this movie is: "Perhaps the best outreach opportunity in 2000 years." This statement goes directly against what the Bible says about preaching. I imagine many ministers think that this is a great opportunity to discuss the cross of Christ, but we are to do that through the preaching of God's word, not through movies or theatrical productions. Paul warned us that people would not endure sound doctrine: "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:4) Fables is defined as: "A feigned story or tale to instruct or amuse." This reminds me of all the theatrical productions and re-enactments that are in churches today. The pulpit is being pushed aside and the altar of God is becoming merely a stage for skits and plays. You may ask: "Preacher, what about the movie?" It is going to receive an R rating because of the gore and violence. The producers are trying to evoke emotions and feelings instead of reaching people's hearts through the preaching of God's word. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Please note this verse does not say by seeing, but by hearing!! If the world didn't believe it when they saw the real Christ, will a movie make a difference? I think not. Copied from the Van Born Baptist Church Bulletin "e From the Pastor's Study" Gregory A. Albright is pastor of Van Born Baptist Church, Dearborn Heights, Mich.