Pop Goes The Church
Finished reading this book last week. It is absolutely a must read for any church or individual that is trying to use today’s culture to reach today’s culture. I grew up in a very conservative church background, so as I read this book, I recognized a lot of things that I grew up doing and thinking just because that it the way it had always been done, and that was what the “church” expected of those that attended.
Funny thing is, those are the things that are driving people away from the church today. Dan Kimball has written a book entitled, They Like Jesus But Not The Church in which he discusses the fact that people out there today are still seeking God and Jesus. They still are seeking for truth. They are just not seeking it in the church because most have become irrelevant, inward focused, and are seen as being disingenuous.
Pop Goes The Church boldly proclaims that churches need to not only be aware of the culture around them, but they need to utilize pop culture in their efforts to reach those outside of the church. Tim Stevens gives practical advice on how to do this in a Biblical and Christ honoring way, and also gives answers to the skeptics that will no doubt be critical of the concept. (Imagine that, Christians being critical!)
Anyways, that is enough for now. I will try to highlight some different things in the book that speak to me as I read it again. This is in my top three for the year so far. In no particular order, you need to read these three books:
1. Unchristian – Probably should be required reading for all Christians… after they start reading their Bibles of course
2. They Like Jesus But Not The Church – A lot of great stuff in this book. It is very similar to Unchristian, so read a book or two in between these two.
3. Pop Goes The Church – A great book to read between the other two. Also a great book to help start you thinking about how to break out of the mold that churches have been in that keeps them ineffective.
Ok, so there is my list. What have you been reading lately?
Tom Becker
We need to be careful when we take these book titles or sayings that are from people in the church or in church work as the GOSPEL truth. Sayings such as, “they like Jesus but not the Church.” Where do you find one verse in the Bible that says people like Jesus? They hated him and still do. It says in the word that if the world hates you, don’t be surprised, it hated me first. I don’t have my bible with me but next time I’ll give you the exact references.
I understand that people do not like hymns and organs, and pews, and stained glass windows and old fashioned looking buildings and that’s fine. But to put the blame on christians for why people don’t come to church and search for Christ. They don’t because there are a lot of phonies in church, traditional and contemporary. Plus if you talk about sin in church, they don’t want to hear that either. So that’s why the gospel message is being watered down and changed so it won’t offend people.
Read Gal. 1:8-9. See what is in store for someone who preaches a different gospel.
Tom Becker
I don’t have a website but I am going to re-start a blog pretty soon. I’ll send you the address when I get it up.
Tom Becker
I’ve read it once and I’m reviewing it again at the moment…a book by John McCarthur, titled, “Hard to Believe.”
If you have the courage to read it, it will turn your view of Christianity upside down.