The Gospel of Felt Need

Continuing in Chapter six of Gary Gilley's This Little Church Went to Market.

From psychology, Strobel and the seeker-sensitive church have discovered that both baby boomers and busters have learned to expect that their needs should be met, jobs would be provided, money would be available, and problems would be solved. The result is a generation of young adults who want and expect everything right away. Life is to be lived for the present. There is little awareness of a philosophy that says we should make long-range plans, or work hard today so things will be better tomorrow. This is a 'now' generation that has little interest in any religion that talks about sacrifices, heaven or 'the sweet by-and-by.' They want to hear about a faith that works now and brings immediate results.

If this is true, how are we to proclaim the gospel to a pampered, self-centered generation that demands society meets their every whim? Previous generations of Christian leaders, including biblical ones, would use these traits to point to evidence of sin in Harry's life. 'Look Harry,' they would have said, 'your selfish, proud heart reveals just how sinful and rebellious you really are.' They would have called Harry to repentance from such a lifestyle, and to faith in
Christ for forgiveness of these very sins. Then they would have challenged new-believer Larry to abandon his self-centeredness, call for a life of self-sacrifice, humbly allowing the Spirit of God to transform him into Christ-likeness.

But the modern church sees it differently. Strobel writes, "Our challenge, then, is to help this new generation of unchurched Harrys to understand that Christianity does work, that is, that the God of the Bible offers us supernatural wisdom and assistance in our struggles, difficulties, and recovery from past hurts." Harry simply will not be attracted to Christ if we present him with the biblical gospel. We must then change the message in order to make it more palpable to this generation of ultra-self-centered Harrys and Marys. What worked at one time simply does not speak to today's Harry. David Wells has nailed down the prevailing attitude when he writes, 'What our culture suggests is that all of the greatest treasures of life are at hand, quite simply, in the self. Religious man was born to be saved, but psychological man was born to be pleased. "I believe" has been replaced by "I feel". The problem is that we have not been feeling so well recently.'

A few more quotes from Strobel's book will help identify exactly what the new-paradigm church is offering the unbeliever. '"We baby boomers aren't coming to church to become members," said one pastor, himself a boomer. "We are coming to experience something. Yes, even to get something."' Strobel suggests that the best way to reach Harry and Mary with the gospel is to discover what it is that they want to 'get', what it is they want to experience; what it is they want to obtain in life, and offer it to them in Jesus. For example, 'If you discover that unchurched Harry suffers from a sagging self-esteem . . . you can tell him how your own self-esteem has soared ever since you learned how much you matter to God.' Never mind that the concept of self-esteem is foreign to the Bible, even against it; never mind that the real issue that Harry struggles with, according to the the Bible, is pride not low self-esteem; the gospel is now gift-wrapped to offer Harry what he has been conditioned to believe he needs.

We'll stop there for today. Tomorrow we'll see what Gary says about a church focused on the wrong need in chapter 7.

Last night was great. Kristen went to a small group sleepover, Mark went to his small group, Greg and I headed to church for him to speak at the Turlock Gospel Mission dinner, then we headed to Cool Hand Luke's, a great new steakhouse in town. We ran into a sweet couple from our church and had a great conversation about gospel missions. I didn't run too well this morning. I think it was the big dinner last night. We were there until almost 10:00, having wonderful conversation about ministry. I am truly blessed to have great friends at church and a wonderful husband. Off to my quiet time and to pick up Kristen, then a full day. Blessings on this amazing Friday!