LETTER: What is wrong with a church reaching younger generations?

I considered writing a response to the letter Mr. Cheek is responding to. Kudos to Kevin for doing so. If I may though, I would add a few things.


Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. -Colossians 2:8.

I would challenge the writer of the previous letter to examine his beliefs on church and how it must be conducted in light of the Scripture. He may be surprised to see that the modern day church set up is quite unlike the church structure we find in early Acts. Specifically on the music issue, I wonder if they sing in Greek and Hebrew at his church? If not, then they aren't singing the same songs they did in the Bible. As hard as it is to believe I don't think when Paul and Silas where singing in the jail house that they were singing "Amazing Grace" or "Just As I Am".

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. - 1 Corinthians 9:20-22.

Paul says he does what it takes to see people saved. Never changing the message of salvation through the grace of Christ, Paul changed the delivery form of the message to meet the needs of those he was ministering to.

Perhaps the reason churches are failing is not because they are quiting people as much as they are quitting Christ. Jesus tells us in John 12:32 that if He be lifted high from the earth He will draw all men nigh unto Himself. Well, Mr. Ingram we can both agree that Christ was lifted high from the Earth on the Cross of Calvary and can see the fulfillment of His statement in the physical sense. Perhaps though we are seeing the contra of His statement in the physical sense. He is no longer being lifted high in our churches and therefore is no longer drawing men unto Himself. I tell you that it isn't because there is dancing for even King David danced for the Lord in 2 Samuel 6:14. It isn't because there is rap music either. Pending appropriate lyrics, one style of music is just as Biblical as any other style. Simply because you can't understand it and it is not your preference doesn't mean it is of the devil. Christ isn't being lifted high and churches are failing because we are more worried about doing it the way man has been doing it for generations instead of worshiping the way God would have it- in the form that connects and means the most to those worshiping.