MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Church Packs ‘Em In with “Fight Night”

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Wed, September 16, 2009
Viewed 140
(22) comments so far

From the New York Times:

The atmosphere was electric at Reborn in Christ Church in Brazil on “Extreme Fight” night. Churchgoers dressed in jeans and sneakers, many with ball caps turned backward, lined a makeshift boxing ring to cheer on bare-chested jujitsu fighters.

They screamed when a fan favorite, Fabio Buca, outlasted his opponent after several minutes. They went wild when Pastor Dogão Meira, 26, took his man down, pinning him with an armlock just 10 seconds into the fight.

With the crowd still buzzing, Pastor Mazola Maffei, dressed in army pants and a T-shirt, grabbed a microphone. Pastor Maffei, who is also Pastor Meira’s fight trainer, then held the crowd rapt with a sermon about the connection between sports and spirituality.

“You need to practice the sport of spirituality more,” he urged. “You need to fight for your life, for your dreams and ideals.”

Reborn in Christ is among a growing number of evangelical churches in Brazil that are finding ways to connect with younger people to swell their ranks. From fight nights to reggae music to video games and on-site tattoo parlors, the churches have helped make evangelicalism the fastest-growing spiritual movement in Brazil.

Evangelical Christian churches are luring Brazilians away from Roman Catholicism, the dominant religion in Brazil. In 1950, 94 percent of Brazilians said they were Catholic, but that number fell steadily to 74 percent by 2000. Meanwhile, the percentage of those who described themselves as evangelicals grew by five times in that period, reaching 15 percent in 2000. A new government census is due out next year.

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What do you think? Any churches here in the states experimenting with 'fight nights'? Should they?

Comments

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Jackie on Wed, September 16, 2009

The Gospel does not need to “lure” any one from any where. God has given us the means of grace preach the law as a mirror to convict men/women of their sin and preach the cross of Christ to show God’s amazing kindness, mercy and goodness. Making it clear the consequences of not responding in repentant faith and leaving the saving to the Holy Spirit.
To use such sensational means implies the Gospel is not enough nor the purpose of the church.
Larry on Wed, September 16, 2009

We host a weekly, free MMA class to teach all facets of the game: ju jujitsu, some clinch, dirty boxing. But it’s controlled and we limit the striking contact.

...

I’d have no problem with jujitsu matches in a church. It would be as safe as having American wrestling matches. I wouldn’t be ok with cage fighting for outreach.
Leonard on Wed, September 16, 2009

In this culture of Brazil, this is a pretty good idea. When I was in Brazil a while back, young people wanted very little to do with the church, lumping it together with the catholic church. Highways and Byways… come to the table.
CS on Wed, September 16, 2009

No, no, no. This is a horrible idea.

First, it tells people not to come to church for Jesus and for worship with other believers, but for entertainment and worldly amusement. Secondly, it puts principles such as violence into the heart of the church, rather than seeing demonstrations of the fruits of the Spirit. Third, this totally illustrates the, “slippery slope,” argument when this is said in the article:

“From fight nights to reggae music to video games and on-site tattoo parlors, the churches have helped make evangelicalism the fastest-growing spiritual movement in Brazil.”

That’s right, folks. Pragmatism at its finest. Get ‘em in any way possible. You gotta wonder where Jesus is in this mix.

—
CS
Jon on Wed, September 16, 2009

There have been issues at American churches where worship becomes entertainment. The music becomes ‘too good’, and then the worship leader is asked to step down, or to ‘play worse’.

Is it ever ok to be entertaining in order to draw people to church? to Christ?

Jesus did some miracles which were ‘spectacles’. Why is that different from this spectacle?
Peter Hamm on Wed, September 16, 2009

CS,

I agree with you! (mark this date.) Good valid concerns.

Jon,

I think you’re saying that asking somebody to “play worse” is ridiculous. (Maybe not.) That we should give our best for God. I lead worship at my church. I am very entertaining when I do it, even though that is not my goal. I am not going to play “bad” for my God to make somebody think it’s not too entertaining.

So my answer to your question [Is it ever ok to be entertaining in order to draw people to church? to Christ?] is of course it is okay. So it makes me wonder about whether this is okay.

Do I sound unsure and conflicted about this? I am indeed…
Leonard on Wed, September 16, 2009

If this was their Sunday Service I ight agree, but it is not. It is an event they do.
CS on Wed, September 16, 2009

Jon:

“Is it ever ok to be entertaining in order to draw people to church? to Christ?”

Is Jesus the reason for people coming, or is it to be amused? There is the old saying, “Bait and switch,” and, “What you draw them with is what you keep them with.” What happens when the entertainment stops? What will the people do?

“Jesus did some miracles which were �spectacles�. Why is that different from this spectacle?”

Please, please tell me you’re kidding. The miracles Jesus performed were to demonstrate supernaturally that He was God and to fulfill prophecy. This is people beating each other in the head for the enjoyment of others. If you’re honestly trying to equivocate the two or find some sort of parallel, I would be seriously worried about your theology.

—
CS
Jon on Wed, September 16, 2009

@CS & Peter - I am not saying that its wrong to ask people to ‘play worse’. I just see that type of issue as something that has some parallels to this situation. It’s about the role or factor of entertainment in worship and in evangelism. ‘Playing worse’ is not neccessarily the right phrase either, but I am at a loss at the moment as to coming up with a better phrase. So, Peter thinks its ok to be entertaining in order to draw people to church or Christ. I sort of agree, from the standpoint that you never know what is entertaining to someone. We can’t neccessarily avoid being entertaining, and why would we make being boring something that defines church? So, if its ok to be entertaining on any level, why is it wrong to be entertaining with jujitsu? I’m not suggesting that this jujitsu thing is right or wrong - I would honestly like to have more discussion and debate about it.

Secondly, I think it is naive to think that no one in the crowds that showed up around Jesus in the various places was there to see “the spectacle”, to be “entertained”. So, if that is the case, why is a ‘spectacle’, particularly one that draws people to Christ, wrong?

And if your worried about my theology, I’m ok with that. I’m not claiming to have it all down, and I’d be glad to learn from you if you do. Some of the things you and others have said make me wonder about your theology too, and I’m glad that we are concerned for one another.
Peter Hamm on Wed, September 16, 2009

Jon,

I totally appreciate where you’re coming from on this! Thanks!
CS on Wed, September 16, 2009

Jon:

“So, if that is the case, why is a �spectacle�, particularly one that draws people to Christ, wrong?”

I can draw people using a variety of means. I could give away money; that usually gets attention quickly. I can make promises of a happier life. I can say people will have better sex lives. But all of these detract from Jesus Christ, which should be the focus of why people should come to church. Otherwise, we’re following a pragmatic mindset that runs contrary to Scripture, and changing the ecclesiological model in making evangelism a primary activity of worship (not necessarily the case in this article, I know, but it springs up way too often in these types of discussions).

Additionally, the means of drawing people here could be seen as sinful. Man assaulting man may fall under adiaphoron in some aspects, but generally is declared as a wicked action. Why not use burlesque, without nudity, for that matter? It would be on the same lines.

Here’s what gets me: Whatever happened to wanting to be holy and above reproach? Why go to the lowest common denominator or see how closely we can push the envelope in going towards sin? Why bring people into the church using a hook instead of going out into the world and doing real evangelism so that they will want to come in voluntarily?

By the way, my theology is not flawless either, and I’m always eager to learn where I have some shortcomings. =)

—
CS
Leonard on Wed, September 16, 2009

Again, this is not what they do Sunday morning. This is an event they put on to connect with and draw others to a place where Christ can be proclaimed.

Should we avoid concert that communicate the Gospel because they are entertaining? Should we avoid them because the music might make us dance and enjoy a moment? Should we avoid inviting others to a Super Bowl party where we share the Gospel at half time because we will be entertained? Your reasoning in this is apple and orange here.

Events and Sunday worship services are different venues.

As for the sport itself, this kind of activity has been around since… well longer that our country has. The scripture uses references to the “games” and uses terms of both close combat. This is a far cry from burlesque, it is a legitimate sport. It is not a sinful sport. It is simply a contest.
Bobby on Thu, September 17, 2009

For those of you arguing against this, I don’t believe that the fighting draws sinners to repentance, but it does seem to draw a crowd. Jesus’ miracles did draw a crowd, but they did not save anyone else either. That’s why when the crowds came Jesus gave the true Gospel presentation.

I think that there is nothing wrong with grabbing people’s attention as long as you present the Gospel in a way that is not contrary to the Bible. I dont know if they are compromising the Gospel message, but that would be the true issue.
David Buckham on Sat, September 19, 2009

I recall a story of D. L. Moody using an opera singer to draw a crowd, once the crowd had gathered they were “entertained” (reminiscent of the Roman Circus beggars saying “give us bread give us drink”). Maybe I am way off base, but I really don’t see how this is much different. No one would disparage Moody’s tactics today. He would use a culturally relevant event to draw a crowd, then preach the gospel. Is the problem the “violence”? Is the problem that this articles seems to initially suggest they are doing this to pull people from one church to another.

Me, I wouldn’t do this at the church I serve. It definitely wouldn’t culturally fly here either. But hey, people are being won to Christ. Should we really complain (maybe even judge) against them, or just say good for them, but I am going to keep doing my thing?

all about Christ,
David Buckham
Randy Wood on Sun, September 20, 2009

Like it!