Tom,

I have some real issues with the seeker models. Some of these I have already alluded to, but…

1. They are not Scriptural. Besides the concept of “seeker-sensitive” being unscriptural (Rom 3:11), it is just a way of getting the world into the church—the world’s perspective that is. One PCA Church here in the name of being “seeker-sensitive” played a Bee-Gee’s song as the opening “hymn.” This is not worship it is blasphemy. The pastor lost many church members, but gained some new worldly disciples! What rock band did Jesus have playing while discussing the Beatitudes, etc.? God did not call pastors to entertain goats, but feed the sheep…

2. The “seeker-sensitive” model(s) are in direct opposition to true worship in the church. God is not worshiped in spirit and truth by being seeker-sensitive model. The church is called to be evangelistic, but not called to compromise the message, true worship, or true discipleship (come out from among them…) in the process. The church itself today is very weak because every week they see how many they can get to walk the aisle vs. teaching their own how to walk. Part and parcel of true walking is true worship on the Lord's day! There is more than one way to become a den of thieves.

3. I agree with you that the “seeker-sensitive” model(s) are not cloaking the Gospel—as they are not presenting a real Gospel; as a watered down church service is not the real Gospel, et. al. There is a time and a proper place to discuss certain issues, etc….To discuss issues here we use local bookstores and discuss new books—the latest being the Di-Vinci Code… This is an evangelistic effort (1) to discuss current issues with the unsaved (2) to give them a biblical perspective (3) to develop friendships, etc. This leads to a honest presentation (a) of who you are (b) who you represent (c) why you believe the way you do, etc. There are MANY different avenues to use to be evangelistic—one does not have to use the worship time of the church ……

4. Where are the different places in Scripture that evangelism is seen? (1) the Jewish synagogues-Acts 17:17a; (2) the Marketplace—Acts 17:17b; (3) family and friends—Acts 18:7, Acts 20:20-21; (4) Public Forums—Acts 17:19, Acts 19:9 (Mars Hill, School of Tyrannus). My point here is that the majority of Scripture emphasizes evangelism more-so outside the church then inside. (please note: this does not mean that the pastor is without an evangelistic message, but it also is not his only message—which a seeker-sensitive model demands, as that is its sole intent and thus unbiblical).

As always, please take what I have written here in a spirit of goodness, as it is not meant as a personal attack.

Reformed and Always Reforming,