HITTING THE TARGET

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

We receive many invitations to events such as “Youth Retreats”, “Ladies Days Out”, and “Men's Devotional Breakfasts.”  The majority of the time the emphasis is placed on some type of social gathering where they will take time out to study the Word of God.  These events are “sponsored” by local congregations and usually have a comment that “social activities are not part of the work of the church but paid for by individual members.”  These events are not new as they have been around for many years.  What is new is that a movement among “conservative” brethren has rejuvenated these events when many remember that these types of events started out innocently many years ago and have led to a very progressive movement in the church today.

Let me state that I am concerned over this movement!  My concern is that we “have not” taught on the issues that divided the church into what is commonly referred to as “conservative” and “liberal” for years.  Both sides have somewhat “separated” themselves from discussing these issues and are engaged in “situations” that have crept up “amongst their own.”  For instance, since the late 1980's the “conservative” side has been dealing with subjects such as “who can we fellowship”, and “days of creation.”  These subjects along with marriage, divorce and remarriage are on the list of about every gospel meeting around the country.  THESE ARE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS AND TRUTH NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT CONCERNING THESE ISSUES!  However, issues of authority, use of the Lord's treasury, the name of the church, etc. seem to be “old news” and proper time has not been spent in teaching a new generation about the “doctrines of men” pertaining to these subjects.  Now that these issues are showing up on a “regular” basis, red flags are flying.

I have noticed that some responses to these functions deal with “targeting audiences.”  While I understand this argument and agree that we do not have any Scripture to support excluding a segment of the congregation from a public worship (of course we have justified “targeting” our audiences -- usually by age -- for public Bible Classes) at our local congregations.  However, we also receive invitations from local congregations pertaining to their gospel meetings.  These invitations usually list the speaker, the times of services, the congregation having the meeting and the list of subjects.  Among these subjects we may see “A Lesson on Being a Good Husband” or “Let No Man Despise Thy Youth” or “Proper Dress for a Woman.”  When I see these I have to stop and think have we just targeted an audience?

As a gospel preacher I will admint that many of my lessons have a “targeted audience.”  I believe the sermon on the Day of Pentecost had a “targeted audience” and that the audience was from many different places.  We need to ask ourselves if “targeting an audience” and inviting folks from a large area are the violations in these “retreats” or is it the “social” and “recreational” attraction to bring in large audiences and sprinkle just a bit of the Word of God around to justify our “physical” appetities!  For if the violation is “targeting audiences” most of us that are preachers need to repent!

Please do not be confused.  Recreation, meals, and social gatherings are not wrong in their proper place.  However, they do not contain the saving power.  The gospel of Christ was the attraction yesteryear, is to be the attraction today and is to be the atraction in the future!  Let us take great care in what we do to try and encourage folks to come and hear the gospel.  Using unscriptural means does not justify what may seem to be positive results.