a Biblical thought...
When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." (Matthew 26:40-41)
a Book thought...
Mahatma Gandhi summed up similar feelings in a well-known quote of his: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." (p37 Kimball)
When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." (Matthew 26:40-41)
a Book thought...
Mahatma Gandhi summed up similar feelings in a well-known quote of his: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." (p37 Kimball)
a Dave thought...Last night I attended the Planetshakers conference at Vodafone Arena where there were over 3000 teenagers passionately worshipping God. The service went for 3 hours with an incredible production team, talented musicians and humorous preacher. Russell Evans began the conference in 1995 when 300 attended and this January they are expecting 25,000 across 4 venues so the growth has been quite exceptional.
When I was youth pastor at Box Hill 8 years ago we used to take bus loads of our teenagers across to Adelaide for this event and God did do some amazing things through the conference that greatly impacted our guys. My dilemma as I sat through the event again last night is that the hype and emotion of this worship rally no doubt helps our young people find Jesus but how long will it last? We have literally heaps of our young people that have been planetshaker saved but only last in our discipleship groups for a few weeks but then would turn up next year again for the big event experience.
I know Russell and some of his team and know they have great hearts and want to see so many young people won for Jesus across this nation, but unless we can go the journey with these guys and teach them about a Jesus that loves the poor and worships his Father even when the lights aren't up and the show isn't on are we really shaking the planet?
Just a thought.
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2 comments:
Thanks again David for more insightful thoughts.
My experience is that Hillsong Conferences produce similar outcomes to those you have spoken about here. The majority of those have who attended from Ringwood over the years are no longer worshipping with us. They have either left the church altogether or they are worshipping at other churches.
Also some attendees kept talking throughout the year about next year’s conference instead of advancing God’s Kingdom in their home church.
Hillsong Church preaches a false Prosperity Gospel, which is a real anathema to The Salvation Army’s preaching of a gospel for the “whosoever”.
At least two of the recent guest speakers at Hillsong Conferences have come under the watchful eye of the IRS in America for the lavish lifestyle they and their families lead using church funds. We should not encourage our precious young people to come under these influences.
Discipleship is a real challenge. However, I am encouraged by a new generation within the Army that is really focussing on God’s love and love for others.
A huge revival has begun. Praise the Lord!!
I agree Dave. As a youth pastor i much preferred to have my teenagers immersed in the presence of God for a week than the alternative. There is something to be considered also about the way the gospel needs to be presented in order for Gen Y to grab a hold of it. An understanding of todays generation would say that it's about nailing the balance between an event that they can experience and a truth that they can live by - the event is floored for this generation without both being present. The truth in the midst of the experience always seemed to make sense, but when you remove the experience, the truth seemed to fade into foolishness again - and it will if there's not a genuine transference of the holy spirit according to 1 Corinthians 1:18. I guess this is where the hype question is again applicable? or perhaps its a question of faith,(Matthew 9:29) on our part as leaders, as well as for our teenagers. But again your right, it's then a matter of discipling them through the course of February to December!
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