Time for Faithful Pastors to Go On the Attack!

They say the best defense is a good offense. After listening to Julia Duin regarding how people are quitting church in droves because it's been dumbed down (thank you very much Purpose-Driven Movement and Seeker-Sensitive Movement).

As an entrepreneur I always see bad news as opportunities. This is not any different. This is the time for faithful Bible preachers to reach out to those who are quitting church and offer them something they haven't been able to get... A good Biblical Meal. Here is a simple post card marketing idea that I think will help get the message out.

Comments

[Rebellious Pastor's Wife]

Okay, while I think this very clearly makes the point as to how truly tragic not being fed God's Word is to you and me, most people would be offended by this one, and the Gospel is what should offend, not this. I could see this causing a scandal and being VERY misunderstood.

[Ragnar Danneskjöld]

I think this is downright awesome! I've had the displeasure of attending a seeker-sensitive, bovine-scatology driven church and this picture is a perfect depiction of how I felt. It's strong yes, it's hard-hitting yes, is it true? Most certainly! Us confessional Christians need to be hammering away at the seeker-sensitive movement with every resource possible. We're gonna call a heresy and show it for what it really is even if it is unpopular!

[Tim Schenks]

Very good message, but that picture is a very bad idea.

[catransplant]

Bad taste, Chris. Lose the picture. There's a big difference between "shock value" and poor taste. This picture is definitely the latter.

[Beverley - South Africa]

Go for it Chris, I am tried of everyone playing twinkle toes with all
these Pastors who are misleading the poor sheep. Stand up and be counted. Time for playing games are over.
Love you all.

[Kairos]

Chris, Don't change a thing! This postcard is shocking but the church needs to have a mirror held up to it so it can see how ugly and vain it has become. Pastors who refuse to feed God's sheep. The book of Jude speaks very harshly against such pastors.

Jude 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds who feed only themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

It is time for the church to cast these false pastors out and get back to preaching God's word!

[Chris]

I think it's a great idea, but a horrible picture. Odds are, if you mail this out like the seeker-sensitive churches mail out their postcards, a whole bucket full of lost people will see it. Not cool. Their understanding is darkened, and thus will find it horribly offensive. Perhaps using a picture of bread lines from the Depression? In fact, I think I'll work on making that.

[Chris Rosebrough]

Chris,

I agree with you. I think the picture is over the top. In fact, I even said so on my program yesterday. My hope is that this will get the creative juices flowing and that someone will find a more tactful way of conveying a similar message.

Think of this postcard as a 'concept piece'. It still needs some work (a lot of work).

[akira Kurosawa]

Of right satire, Chris R. I get it. That explains your entire site.

Your site is just a satirical critique of everything you don't agree with.. I see.

I'm not sure I buy that, but whatever.

Nothing to see here but more hate mongering Rosenbergisms.

Move along, next topic.

[Andrew]

akira Kurosawa,

How dare you misuse the name of the greatest filmmaker this world has ever seen? If you want to post your drive-by comments without even trying to understand the motivations of the blog writer, fine. Go right ahead and make a complete fool of yourself on a public forum. But please, don't slander the greatest creative mind we've ever known in the process. Use Michael Bay, or Jon Turteltaub, or someone else like them who is more befitting of your level of...commentary. Thanks so much.

[ty]

akira Kurosawa,

Who's Rosenberg? And what would "hate mongering Rosenbergisms" be?
Chris' last name is "Rosebrough", and it's spelled right above your post (if he is in fact the person who you're referring to).

Chris, the picture is right. It IS horrible but I've been in that kind of church and it shows EXACTLY what happens. I was spiritually like that poor man looks physically at one time. I'm sure millions are now.

[Akira Kurosawa]

I stand corrected it is Rosebrough and Rosebroughisms, LOL

And Andrew may I respectfully reply...

How dare you misuse the name of an apostle? If you want to post your sycophant comments without even trying to think for yourself, fine, go right ahead and make a complete fool of yourself, but please, don't slander an apostle in the process. Use Judas, or Matthias, or someone else like them who is more befitting of your level of...commentary. Thanks so much.

and THAT was satire, not Chris's backpeddling hate mongering.

LOL, you guys are a hoot

[Kairos]

Akira,

So Chris is a hate monger and anyone who agrees with him is a sycophant.

That's quite a broad brush that you are painting with don't you think?

Furthermore, I think you're engaging in unthinking arrogant judgementalism by making such claims without backing up your statements with facts and evidence.

If you'd like to debate a position then get to it. But if you're hear to spew stupid ad hominem attacks then move along or start your own blog.

[Chris]

Chris --

How about a photo of one of those haute cuisine dishes -- 90% fancy plate and 10% food? You know the one.

[akira Kurosawa]

Hmm. and here I thought the comments section was for comments, Kairos...

Perhaps I was wrong. Or maybe the comments section is only for people who agree with Chris...

and Kairos, look up what satire means... you might realize I was kidding, don't take it personally. I mean if Chris can hide behind satire, why can't I?

And my position is sitting, so debate that...

[Philip Walker]

"How about a photo of one of those haute cuisine dishes"

Haute cuisine is still good food, even if there's not much. In fact, if you're distributing in a wealthy or upwardly-mobile area, people may perceive precisely the opposite of the message intended. However, it's got a good idea, and inspires in me a similar one: a photo of a single potato chip on a large white plate. There's not much, and what there is isn't what you'd call a full, balanced diet.

[Beverley - South Africa]

Chris

I can't believe you let people intimidate you, calling a spade a spade is the right thing to do.

Why does everyone make out like baby Christians can't take the heat. One thing I always ask the Lord is why Christians are always made out to be such DRIPS.

I am certainly not precious, meek and mild. These Christians that can't take the heat and it is going to get hotter, should wake up and smell the fire.

Love you all,

[SueS]

It's a shocking picture to be sure, but before leaving our former church with its "pastor" who majored in legalism made palatable by funny stories and jokes, rather than a faithful proclaimation of the Word of God, I commented several times that if the people of the congregation could be seen in the Spirit they would appear to be like the walking skeletons of Nazi death camps. Your post card confirms this in no uncertain terms.

SueS, who is now feasting on the Word of God in a church where expository preaching is a priority. What a blessing!!!

[SueS]

It's a shocking picture to be sure, but before leaving our former church with its "pastor" who majored in legalism made palatable by funny stories and jokes, rather than a faithful proclaimation of the Word of God, I commented several times that if the people of the congregation could be seen in the Spirit they would appear to be like the walking skeletons of Nazi death camps. Your post card confirms this in no uncertain terms.

SueS, who is now feasting on the Word of God in a church where expository preaching is a priority. What a blessing!!!

[Paula]

Chris from The Concerned Christian wrote:
>Perhaps using a picture of bread lines from the Depression? In fact, I think I'll work on making that.

That would be assuming there was bread to be had at a seeker sensitive church. Faulty analogy.

[Dave]

I think a breadline from depression picture would be preferable. You want the picture to compliment the message and re-enforce it, not detract from it. Too many people are prolly going to be offended by the above pic to make it broadly effective.

[Dave]

I think a breadline from depression picture would be preferable. You want the picture to compliment the message and re-enforce it, not detract from it. Too many people are prolly going to be offended by the above pic to make it broadly effective.

[Dave]

I think a breadline from depression picture would be preferable. You want the picture to compliment the message and re-enforce it, not detract from it. Too many people are prolly going to be offended by the above pic to make it broadly effective.

[Chris H]

Paula (this is me, I just posted my last initial to help keep down the confusion b/w two Chrises), you make a fair point, though bread lines still bring to mind the issue of starvation. My concern isn't so much about what "Christians" (true or false Christians) think about it, it's what professing non-believers think when seeing this photo.

A photo of an emaciated person isn't a bad idea, it's just this particular photo that strikes me as a bit off, even though I love the idea of these postcards and would one day love to use them to "advertise" the church I attend.

All in all, I can see both sides of this, and am wrestling with which way is correct.

[wholebrainer]

Chris:

I'm late to the whole "conversations with god" publishing-phenomenon, but perhaps you could create [pro bono of course] a promotional campaign for the "conversations" books, as the "god" of those "NYTimes bestselling" books preaches that Hitler is in Heaven, and that he did the 6 million Jews he killed "a favor?" There'd be no end to the number of similar photos that'd be "appropriate" in that effort - maybe you could work an exchange for free admission to Walsch's November 6th seminar in NYC [http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/index.php?p=Classes]. I'm just sayin...

[wholebrainer]

Chris:

I'm late to the whole "conversations with god" publishing-phenomenon, but perhaps you could create [pro bono of course] a promotional campaign for the "conversations" books, as the "god" of those "NYTimes bestselling" books preaches that Hitler is in Heaven, and that he did the 6 million Jews he killed "a favor?" There'd be no end to the number of similar photos that'd be "appropriate" in that effort - maybe you could work an exchange for free admission to Walsch's November 6th seminar in NYC [http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/index.php?p=Classes]. I'm just sayin...

[Paul]

I think it's so funny how you only hear what you want to hear. I listened to the lady speak on the video that you posted. First of all, why exactly would you put any stock in what she has concluded. Second, if you do decide to listen to her, don't just pick one thing she says. She also says the the mainline (non seeker sensitive/purpose driven) churches have been drying up like crazy for years. Did you miss that part of the video???

[St. David]

If I remember my history correctly I believe that is a photo of a union soldier after his experience at the Confederate prison at Andersonville, GA.

I don't know what to think as far as whether or not this is an appropriate picture to use or not. Part of me thinks, considering the picture's historical context, that it is a disrespectful use of a poor soldiers suffering.

The other side of me thinks sin, death and Satan is a deadly reality and that there is a deplorable lack of faithful pastors in the church today. The Scriptures are replete with warnings from Christ to pastors/prophets to be a faithful watchmen.

With today's candy coated sermons, songs and teaching material they are undoubtedly many souls who are suffering in a church which is the spiritual equivalent of Andersonville POW camp. I think many American Christians are spiritual POW's and they don't even know it.

[Irene]

HI;
JUST FOUND THIS SITE. I'M SO GLAD.
I HAVE JUST TRIED TO TELL MY PASTOR ABOUT UNESCO AND SOME PREACHERS HE SAID WHAT I WAS TELLING HIM WAS VERY DISTURBING. I CAN'T TELL YET IF HE IS PLAYING THE DUCK AND PATRONISING ME OR IS TRULY DECIEVED OR JUST DOESN'T KNOW THE SCRIPTURE WELL ENOUGH. THANKS FOR YOUR GOOD WORK. I HAVE RECIEVED ALOT OF COMFORT THROUGH THIS AS MY SISTER JUST DIED YESTERDAY, SHE BELIEVED AND HAD OBVIOUS FAULTS.
THIS TYPE OF PREACHING IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND AS A CHRISTIAN I HAVE HAD TO REPENT FOR NEGLECTING TO READ MY BIBLE AND DEPENDING ON PREACHERS BOOKS AND VARIOUS TV MINISTRIES WHICH RESULTED IN A LACK OF DESCERNMENT. MAYBE PART OF THE STRATAGY IS TO KEEP PEOPLE BUSY WITH READING AND DOING THEREBY THE NEGLECT OF THE WORD WHICH IS VITAL TO KEEPING THE FAITH.
AS FOR GETTING FED, A GOOD POSTER MIGHT BE TWO PLATES ONE WITH THE BIBLE THE OTHER WITH PILES OF PREACHERS BOOKS. SLOGAN UNDER THE BIBLE "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE" AND "THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS THROUGH HIS WORD ALONE" SO CHECK IT OUT HERE FIRST. THEN IF OFFENCE IS TAKEN IT IS AGAINST JESUS AS IT REALLY IS.
THANKS AGAIN,
IRENE

[Bob]

It seems that attacking other Christian preachers is a common path for many. To focus on how others "err and stray" from your interpretive positions offers another example of how Satan can turn the most religious and zealous person into a pawn on his chess board.

I write this with love and respect for your obvious love of God and your commitment to follow Jesus as your Lord and savior. We all need to be reminded that Satan is the accuser and that when we imitate his ways, we become like him. Jesus died on a cross to reveal this work of Satan to turn us against one another. If in the name of our faith, the devil is able to slip his net over us by our imitation of him, our witness is not of the love of God that bore such accusations on the cross, but of Satan.

Your post card offers a vivid picture of what a life starved for the Word of God really looks like. It is the portrait of Dorian Gray that all Christians have stored in our closets so that the world will not see how impoverished and truly hungry we are for God's Word of forgiveness and grace for us and for the whole world. Rather than using it as an attack on preachers who you consider to fall short of preaching the true Gospel, why not offer it as a picture of our "inner man" without the nourishment of God's Word, Jesus?

May God continue to bless you with love, mercy, forgiveness, and amendment of life.

Bob

[Steve]

It could honestly represent what many Christians look like if they refuse the Word of God. It is spiritual food. I find it not offensive but it does bring tears too my eyes with regard to the modern day church.

If the Lord showed Ezekiel his vision of countless corpses and skeletal figures to bring a strong word to his people. Then this could be justified as a strong warning to worthless prophets and preachers who refuse to feed the people the Word of God and opt out for mere 'devotional and emotional' therapy sessions with nice God thoughts sprinkled at the beginning, middle and end of their 25 minute blur.

No I am not offended, but I am shocked, saddened, frustrated, and rightly so. The use of this type of imagery is powerful. As a graphic artist i appreciate what is tryng to be communicate (I have used it myself to express my heart and the truths of Scripture - see my site www.revivalasia.com, see my portal series on heaven and hell)

Blessings in Him

S