I read this article recently from the New York Times. In it, the author describes one of the fastest growing church movements in Brazil: Reborn in Christ. This church movement has about 100 “chapters” all across the country.
So what makes this church so unique?
Amongst other things, fighting.
Before the sermon they’ll often have UFC style fights. After the fight is over, the pastor (who sometimes is a fighter and participant) will pick up the mic and preach to the people.
So, I suppose, this is the question: how much is too much in church?
Does anything go? Where do we draw the line? Does a church service constitute a “holy” time where reverence is due, or does it not have anything to do with holiness at all?
What do you think?
[image by Lalo de Almeida, NY Times]
holy cow! *that's* what I'd call a bit too much… UFC style fighting??? seriously??!! unless it'd be staged and have some correlation to the sermon I dont think that's appropriate or necessary… IMO
A church should be interactive. A place where we can say hi to friends, make new friends and discuss how God has impacted our lives. That fighting thing, although physical, is nothing different than the silent hypocrisy that goes on inside the church. Why is that? In the one place where Love should be dominant, members are so judgmental. The "church" is a once a week thing. GOD is 24/7. Your neighbors are judging you when they see you. GOD is always watching us. Lets gain strength in our faith from the pastors sermons, from our friendships and uplift those who need to hear His message.
I don't necessarily agree with the whole MMA in church deal but I'm thinking, "what, fundamentally, is the difference between physical fighting and the warring of words?" A lot of people lobby, quite inappropriately, on different issues. They say things to bring down, not lift up & destroy, not edify. They throw blows that hurt even more than a left hook to the head and a roundhouse kick to the gut. That whole thing about sticks and stones…but words will never hurt me is a big lie. As for those Brazilians, Jujitsu is like football to us Americans. Football is pretty barbaric too. Only difference is that there's multiple people on the field and they got pads. Nevertheless, aint gonna be no jujitsu in heaven nor tackle football. But why not enjoy all of that while we're here, huh!?!? Love you, Rodlie.
Wow… that's great, now I have an interesting idea to propose for my fall evangelism plans. LOL …
Personally, I feel like church's goal shouldn't be entertainment. Why do we feel like the preaching of the gospel isn't enough? If it isn't the Spirit of God attracting the people what will keep them coming?
I imagine that the miracles performed in scripture which gave Jesus and the apostles the opportunity to share the gospel were pretty entertaining. What's so wrong with entertainment if it opens the door to share the gospel? I'm not so sure that MMA in church is much different than a 2 million dollar pipe organ… Both of which I would say have their place in advancing the gospel.
hahah…..yeah….just trying to imagine a full tackle on Sabbath morning 😉
interesting point about the pipe organ…
Here's the main question I have on this, though, for those subscribed to the comments: Throughout the Bible, there seems to be a concept of the holiness of God. In the OT, of course, we have this clearly evident through the sanctuary services and the reverence required when approaching God. In the NT, this isn't quite as explicit, but still seems to be there. When Paul interacted in the marketplace with the Athenians on Mars Hill he connected with them where they and engaged them intellectually. And when he preached in the synagogues, he always engaged people based upon the claims of Christ, even in mixed multitudes of Jews and Gentiles. I just think we have to be careful when we think in terms of entertaining to engage. I guess it's not just a principle I see in place in the OT or the NT. Especially when you get to the book of Revelation, and we have some presentations of some heavenly worship services….just seems very different than this kind of concept. Just a thought.
i don't see a problem with going out in to the "world" to reach the un-churched but to bring into the church as part of our services seems different. What is next? Pole-dancing? I'm sure that would get a crowd. As far as miracles in the NT goes, it was done to give glory to God, primarily. Not sure if God gets glory out of two people knocking the *heck* out of each other. 🙂 #justsayin
In principle, its a question of communication. Communication breaks into two very subjective areas. First, saying things in such a way that your audience understands (whether it be one person, congregation of 50, or stadium). Second, saying things in such a way that reflect who/what you represent. Daniel and Revelation both were books not meant entirely for their time. In fact the time for their "unlocking" came when much of the imagery and metaphors contained in them had been categorized as fiction and mythology. Both genres considered by most to be entertaining. The resurgence of Greek Mythology following the time of Enlightenment and well into the start of Romanticism (late 1700s into early 1800s) paralleled the discovery and popularity of the prophetic elements of the Bible. Is it possible that a spiked interest from popular culture into mythology was a catalyst to seek understanding of the intertwined mythology of Greek, Hebrew, and Asian cultures in the prophetic texts of the bible? Perhaps. Is it possible that something as entertaining as UFC could be a catalyst faith moment for someone? Perhaps.
I'm glad you clarified that, Jose, cause I had no idea what you were talking about until the very end 😉 Like you said….perhaps, my friend.