Christ First Forum

Sunday, November 30, 2008
Topeka Bible Church Taking Christ Out Of Christmas To Reach The Unbelievers
Is this just another bait and switch idea or a Biblically sound idea to reach the lost? A worship arts director takes Christ out of Christmas to reach the lost.

Here is yet another example of a church believing their man-made way is better than God's. Below is an article written this week by Topeka Bible Church's Worship Arts Director, Bryan Nelson. I would like to ask Bryan, is this your own human reasoning or a Bible based technique? I would encourage you, Bryan, to go into the public and boldly proclaim the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ. This approach will be honoring to God!


According to Bryan, they will be teaching the Gospel at some point...that is if in fact some "unchurched" people decide to attend their church through this light show. Having this light show is not wrong but we at Truth Matters question the philosphy that says we need to hide our Christianity to get people to show up.

HERE is the article...

Yes, I did it. And I did it on purpose. And I'm glad I did it. I thought about it long and hard, but I took Christ out of Christmas. Allow me to explain.

Our church is putting together an event that synchronizes lights on a 3-story building with live musicians in 11 different windows and it's all broadcast via a low-power FM radio station. Last year was the first year, and there were 4,000+ people who came. It was great. Last year we called it the "Christmas Light Show."

This year on the promotional information the word 'Christmas' is substituted by the word 'Holiday.' Why did I do that? Because I really enjoy offending Christians. Seriously, it's because of speaking the language of our target audience. Our target crowd are those who don't celebration Christmas or fully embrace the Christmas story. These are people who don't typically attend to church, want to go to a Christmas Eve service, or maybe don't believe or know the biblical Christmas story at all. That being the case, I've thought hard about what we call this event to connect with this crowd.

Let's say I recieved an invitation to a Hanukkah Light Show by a friend. And let's say I also recieved an invitation to a Holiday Light Show by another friend. If they were held at the same time, which would I attend? Well, if I was selecting simply on the title - the Holiday Light Show. Why? I don't know much about Hanukkah. What's the story behind Hanukkah? I think it's for Jewish people, but am I allowed to go? Are they gonna do something freaky that I'm not going to understand? Do I want my kids to ask me a bizzillion questions about the manaora and what are the caps for? Maybe. Maybe not. Frankly, I would tend to steer clear because it's the unknown-ness of Hanukkah. The word Holiday tends to resonate with the general public. They know what the word holiday means. It's universal.

Let me be clear on two reasons that I didn't substitute the word. First, substituting the word 'Christmas' was NOT an attempt to avoid offending people with the truth. The light show at TBC has the potential to offend some with the truth of the biblical story of Christmas. I understand that - am I'm OK with that. Why? Because I believe it's the truth - and the greatest story ever told.

Secondly, substituting the word 'Christmas' is not an attempt to take Christ out of Christmas, but to put Christ into people's holiday. On the contrary, the purpose of the light show is to attract those that don't know about Christ in an attempt to INJECT Christ INTO their Christmas (or their holiday season as they call it). If you come in your vehicle and listen to the narration, Christ is the centerpiece. He will always be the centerpiece. But when we are attempting to connect with a crowd that doesn't know Christ is the centerpiece to begin with - we gotta speak their language so they understand.

I wonder if the angels said to God - "No, no, no...You can't become like one of them...You can't go in the form of a human baby!" I can almost hear God's reply, "Yes I do. I need to become like them of them so they can understand my purpose for coming." God not only used a language we would understand, He did it to INJECT Himself into this world!

http://bloodtippedears.blogspot.com/200 ... t-out.html

Jeani wrote:This man is trying to use 'works by man' for reaching the lost.

He will fail...fail...fail

When you leave 'Christ' out, then there is no salvation.

This man might get lost people to join his church,but I seriously doubt if the gospel is even taught.

This is part of the emergent church movement! They will fail!
This is typical of the Church of Ephesus mentioned in Revelation who have forgotten their first love. Their lampstand will be removed eventually!