22 January 2008
Friends with Benefits
New Name — Same Old BAD Idea.
“Friends with Benefits” (Uncovering Relational Myths). This is the title and tagline of our next series. I know. I know. pallen@southbrookchurch.com
Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you why we are doing this. There are many reasons:
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I heard this discussed the first time a good while back on a radio show and I, like you, couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Are people really this naive? Because if they are (and they are), that’s a serious problem.
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On that same radio show they were taking call-ins and asking people if they were in favor of this or not and, if so, how it was working out for them. In a word? LOUSY! There were at least 10 separate callers before I arrived at my destination and 9 of them were left heart-broken at best and devastated at worst. Simple polling should have answered the radio hosts (dishonest) question but they kept right on touting the “benefits” (no pun intended) of this horrible idea anyway.
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After this initial introduction to this latest packaging of an ancient, bad idea I started to hear this “Friends with Benefits” theme everywhere—not just radio, but on TV, in the movies, internet, magazines, etc. People are really thinking they’re are on to something here—that they are on to a harmless way to get around God’s ideals. They’re whistling all the way off the cliff!
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We usually do some sort of relationship series at this time of year anyway, and it’s vital that we address the things people are actually dealing with from a biblical perspective—good or bad. And the fact is, a lot of churches talk about these issues all the time only they use Christianieze so that they can feel good about it rather than terms that are relevant. To be real blunt, I could always have a banner put out front (and flyers sent out) that read, New Series: Your Fornication and God’s Judgment! But somehow I don’t envision a very good response form the unchurched community. Who knows, maybe I’m wrong.
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We are, first and foremost, a church reaching out to the unchurched, de-churched, agnostic, atheistic, curious, hurting world—not a place to rally the “already convinced” for a time of naval contemplation. I know what some of you are thinking, but YES, discipleship of the believers is also what we’re called to do but the church doesn’t need to keep sacrificing one for the other. In short, we are a hospital for sinners rather than a country club for saints.
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The church needs to be the one tackling the tough issues and the supposed taboos of society rather than the ones hiding with our eyes closed, hoping things will return to the good ole days (whatever those were).
8 Comments currently posted.
mommytofour says:
Key says:
Speaking of radio shows and getting fired up for this new series… Try to catch Melanie on 91.9 this FRIDAY between 9:00 - 10:30 am. She IS reaching out with the biblical perspective!
We’re surrounded by so many gifted and obedient CHRIST followers… that are doing more than just following! Let’s support them with our prayers! Aways be praying for Pastors: Rob, Paul and Jeoffrey!
Calling all LADIES!!!!!!!! Let’s pack the Women’s Retreat this weekend!!!!!!!!!
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Gods.glori says:
My 11 and 9 year old loves to stay in the service with my husband and I and take notes. We have a contest after church and awards for who ever answers a question concerning the sermon. My question is, will the sermon be on a level that they will be able to understand or are there going to be some references that will need to be explained later? To date they have enjoyed every service and have come away with a complete understanding. Not to say that you talk down to the congregation :), it is just very easy to understand and apply.
Matt Langley says:
….birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it….and other churches do it too. : 0
http://www.local6.com/news/15109415/detail.html
Great topic Rob! We cannot wait for the next series to start because, as always, the messages you guys deliver always contain a multitude of “take aways” to deepen everyone’s walk.
Matt Hoag says:
“Aways be praying for Pastors: Rob, Paul and Jeoffrey!”
Pastors Mike, Daryl, Dan, Andy, Scott, and Clayton could probably use a prayer from time to time as well.
Chris Hogan says:
For Mommytofour, we are just finishing up a book by Clayton King and Steven Furtick called “Love, Dating, and Other Insanities” in our high school girls life group. We covered the Friends with Benefits topic in our discussions the past few months. Great book for all teens and parents, by the way!
From what I hear so far, the youth are excited about the upcoming series and already inviting their friends to be there! Lots of opportunities!
jennyfromdablck says:
In this day and age the church has become too restricted, caught up in tradition….rules and protocals…..with sugar-plum sermons. And then you have the tv evangelist that are more concerned with putting on a good show than ministering . Why are we so hesitant to speak the truth, to be soldiers of God’s word…..last time I checked Jesus wasn’t asking permission to speak upon a certain subject matter..he wasn’t concerned with pleasing the pharisees…instead he was out doing his fathers business…..giving out food (the word) to the hungry…not to those (so called believers) that would nit-pick at what he had to offer.
Pastor Rob….do what God has called you to do.
Minister.
Lance Ratliff says:
Rob I personally believe this is an awesome series. I plan on inviting friends from work to attend. It is not only a relevant topic but one that effects everyone through all means of the media. You can not watch tv or listen to the radio without sexual innuendos or blatant sexual references be blurted or displayed. God is truly blessing us with a church and staff that are not afraid to be difference makers.
Rob, will any of this relevant to those of us who have teenagers? Or will there be a parallel theme of some sort for the youth? Just curious, because like you, I’ve heard this theme everywhere, including some recent “young adult” movies, t.v. shows, etc… It would be very applicable for them (our young teens) as well.