From the article: It's one thing for a church in a big city like Dallas or Atlanta to tackle the ticklish topic of sex. It blends in with the urban scene.
It's another thing when a small-town congregation puts up billboards with the phrase "Great sex: God's way" on rural highways to promote a sermon series. You can't even legally buy beer in Cullman County, and a preacher is talking about S-E-X on Sunday morning?
When advertisers use sex to sell everything from hamburgers to shaving cream, I suppose we can be creative in how to reintroduce sex as a godly and sanctified experience! You know, it's good for the church to get some publicity because of what she is FOR rather than just what she's against. I say, as long as the preacher handles the topic biblically, this is a positive move in the public arena. Gutsy, yes, but positive, too.
Agreed! If the church does not teach sex God's way, then how are we and our children supposed to learn? Where will they learn about sex?
Oddly enough, if we studied the Bible as literally as it was written, and then taught it the same way, we would be scared! We have culturally exalted the Word above our biases and don't realize that the Word doesn't care about those ideas. As such, a deep study of the Bible would show that it deals with sexual topics a lot more graphically than we feel would be "spiritual", or "Godly" in our churches. In fact, the Jewish Rabbi's didn't even allow males to read Song of Solomon until they were into their 30's because of how graphic it truly is.
I think the battle we have in our society is to grab people's attention away from the better marketed, artistically superior, and unlimitedly financed attractions and devices of this fallen world. It's a steep challenge, and I hope this church does honor to the biblical institution of marriage/sex while reaching the lost. Why not? Jesus was a master of using culturally relevant topics in 1st century Israel. I think we should do the same.
I AGREE!!! God is in to people... So whatever it takes to reach them I'm in!!!
I am sorry but I must be old fashion but I think this needs to be taught privately not publicly.
Rev. Sam Martinhttp://baptist-directory.org/christianforum/index.php
Good point Sam. Why can't parents teach their kids? To me it looks like an attempt to draw a crowd.
When the world thinks you're being salacious, you have a problem.
With all the talk over the last few years about how "relevant" these avante garde churches, or how "risky" they are (maybe risque is better term), the American church has all but disappeared. Seems all these "relevant" ideas have succeeded in only making the church blend in (as in "blended service") instead of stand out.
I'm particularly interested when this type of "relevance" is touted as "the way Jesus did it."
We have pastors becoming as gleeful as two teenagers behind the bleachers when talking about sex, but leading pastors are apologizing for taking a "mild stance" against homosexuality.
Say "good-bye" to America -- I don't think we survive presidents and pastors.
At first I found myself agreeing with John and Jack. But I knew that couldn't be right so I changed my mind.
Seriously, I struggle with this sort of thing too. I'm not sure if/when I'll ever do a "Great Sex God's Way" series. The closest I've come is with a sermon on lust (as part of the series on the seven deadly sins).
Fact is, though, people are being formed by the entertainment industry/media when it comes to sex/sexuality (especially when the Church is silent), and that's a bad thing.
Re: this situation, I don't think we can automatically assume bad motives in this situation. Sure, it's a way to get people's attention. Why not? People who might not come to church for any other reason could come to hear a message in this series out of curiosity. If they encounter God in the process, isn't that a good thing?
My Blog: williswired.com
I'm all for the church tackling the subject, but I've never been a fan of tackling it from the pulpit.
It's not that it's taboo, but just that it's hard to be frank about such things when children are in the service. Our youngest kids are at children's church, but we still have teenagers and such, and I wonder if discussing this from the pulpit might not just enflame the hormones that might already be raging.
I'm not sure what the answer would really be - maybe have it dealt with in youth group and in small groups rather than the pulpit?
Also, Jack - I need to ask you (and I ask in all seriousness because I've struggled with this): how should we teach our children about sex at home? How do you approach it, especially with teenagers?
We homeschool until Jr. High, then to the Christian school, so they're not being exposed to it at the public school.
We did the tape series "Preparing for Adolescence" but would be thrilled at finding something more.
Brian La Croix
I had to clean my office for my avatar picture. Maybe I should take pictures more often...
I happened by ths thread again and read these words I'd missed:
QUOTE I think the battle we have in our society is to grab people's attention END
Using this logic one might suggest: "A preacher sharing the gospel while standing naked in Times Square." I's be willing to bet my 1995 Hyundai against a dollar that this would "grab the public's attention."
What the statement implies is an ethical philosophy of "the end justifying the means." In Biblical theology, the means (grace) is what justifies (substantiates, verifies, authenticates) the end. The obvious begging of the question is: how do we determine what means justify what ends? I think there is ample evidence given in the Bible to evaluate any and all means.
So, the question is: is any particular means clearly outside of what the Bible would substantiate? The answer, when an extreme means is suggested, must be clear and compelling -- not just a possibility.
God forbid The Church of all people should talk about such a relevant issue in todays cultural climate. Ted Roberts in his book Pure Desire says it best when he unashamedly admits sex as taught in a biblical context is indeed R-rated; but the "R" as God intends is romantic and not raunchy. In our culture today, even romance has been twisted and it also needs to be taught in the context of the way God intends it to be. Adam and Eve certainly covered themselves out of shame after they sinned but it is time those who are living in secret and shame regarding their own sexual choices leading towards addiction and bondage should be uncovered. Sadly, the church has not been the bastion of hope and healing when it comes to these matters. This, indeed, only leads to more secretive living and bondage. And if we think this has only impacted the laity we are sadly mistaken. Be honest men! How many of us struggle with our own lusts and temptions. To think any of us are immune to this satanic attack is foolish. If you think it not to be foolish, I suggested denial is a better term. Satan has infiltrated the Body unlike he has attempted to do throughout time. His greatest tool is the invent of modern communication, in particular the privacy of the internet. Grievously, those in the pulpit are now shunned for attacking this head-on? Out in the open in a public forum? We can continue to talk till we're blue in the face about how sinful these choices are but I say hope and healing are the words the afflicted need to hear and probably the most effective way of bringing those entrenched in sin to come out from hiding. In particular, those who know Christ and have experienced His grace but find themselves ensnared. Jesus spoke truth but was clear that this truth would set people free without condemnation. Lastly, if we are going to speak this truth from the pulpit, I suggest we begin with our own honesty and weaknesses. Don't you think Paul could relate? It's past time those hurting and suffering masses can relate. We all need a Savior...
I have been reading this thread and I have become sick. I am sick at the lack of concern that the Pastors have for the lost. Sure you may be giving your church a good lesson on scriptural sex but you are speaking volumes to the lost world and they aren't listening. I have heard many comments on this issue when the church is the Chicago suburb decided to do the sex thing. I heard about the Pastor who put a bed on the platform and I heard all the negative comments and mostof them were from the unsaved. Is this campagin to reach lost or to turn them farther away from God? We haven't had any sex preachers in our area yet but the people are talking about what is going on in other parts of the nation. Just to let you know the comments are not positive and it is hurting us because they want to know if we are taking part in this sex frenzy. I tell them NO I am not part of that movement.
We had a Pastor is a mega church in our area deal with some marraige issues but never took it as far as these "sex crazed" Pastors have. They reach many unsaved and helped save some marriages and they didn't put up billboards saying "Great Sex".
Some pastor do it for the shock effect and I think what they are doing is hurting the cause of Christ.
Sam,...your intentions are well I am sure. But let's not forget "the lost" right in our midst. Some of these are indeed our brothers and sisters in Christ and not necessarily a part of the "lost world" out there. The sad reality for those who do not wish or care to listen to the healing and hope that is only found in Jesus is that they will remain broken. We cannot save them of our own selves. Narrow is the way and few enter it. Movements come and go. I would hope those who speak truth and deliverance to those in sexual bondage are not dismissed as being part of "a movement". As a man in the ministry who himself has been delivered, my days are gone of being "sex-crazed". How horrible a life that was! The cause of Christ is meeting others in their hurt and shame and leading them to a Savior some may or may not have ever met. Godspeed in your honest and continued efforts at reaching the unsaved and those in troubled marriages, Sam. There is no judgement. We all strive for the same...
I personally don't see anything evil in teaching about this subject once it is biblically thought and brings glory to God.