As a child growing up in church, I remember being told we are “the salt of the earth”. We must influence the world and make it a better place. So sad that today the church does not influence the world, but the world is influencing the church. For example, 21st century people are driven by experiences. And the experience must always get bigger and greater.
Movie screens must get bigger, the sound system more powerful. The sexual revolution confirms this trend. School kids engage in sex – not to have babies, not to cement their relationships, but to have wow experiences. The drug trade keeps coming up with new drugs to give us a bigger and wilder high.
Now churches are under pressure to give better shows on Sunday. With a hundred or so churches in Mogale, each one has to try to give a good show to draw a crowd. So it is sound systems, lighting and professional orators. It must be a good show. But we walk away looking for the next or new high.
Church is not about a show, it is not an experience, it is an encounter. Have you ever had an encounter with God? Encounters are more life-changing than experiences.
