And the Answer is… The Sex Sermon Series
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, July 29, 2009
- Viewed 413
- (51) comments so far
Jon at Stuff Christians Like writes: If Zondervan lets me write a second book, I'll probably title it "How to grow a huge church in 1 easy step." And inside the book, which I will insist on having my picture on, will be a single piece of paper. (Talk about being green!) And on that piece of paper will be the secret to instant church growth.
Want to know it? Want a sneak peek or really I guess it's not a peek so much as it is the whole book? Here it is:
"If you want to grow your church instantly, do a sermon series about sex."
Jon continues:
Below are a bunch of names for sex sermon series, including some websites. Some are real and are from actual churches. Some are fake and are from my head. See if you can guess which ones are which:
Sexy sermon series titles are real or something Jon made up?
1. “Yourultimatelover.com”
2. “Great Sex for You”
3. “Bringing Sexy Back”
4. “Electric Sex”
5. “Whatsbetweenthesheets.com”
6. “Desperatesexlives.com”
7. “Solomon is the OT’s version of the musician Prince. Love notes from a man whose awesomeness with the ladies eventually brought him to ruin.”
Which are true and which are false? Go here to find out...
Jon concludes in his great post:
I’m not sure what the approach some churches are taking with the subject of sex says about us. Are we talking about it too much? Are we using it as a subject because it garners lots of attention? Or are we not talking about it enough?
I’m torn on this one. On the one hand, the world has a loud, noisy, colorful campaign about sex. They are constantly bombarding us with messages about it and for us to remain silent or to allow the world to try to claim that topic as their own domain seems foolish. I cheer that the churches on this list are sharing God’s word with our culture with creativity and funk. But at the same time, I think it’s really tempting to use that topic as a neon sign that will attract people to a topic but maybe not the Lord. Pastor Craig Groeschel dropped some bombs on this subject at a conference I went to when he talked about the foolishness of doing a sex sermon series just as a way to make your church look cool. And I confess that even as a silly blogger it’s tempting to write about controversial subjects in the hope that controversy will attract more eyeballs.
Where do you stand on that?
Does the church talk about sex too much?
WHAT DO YOU THINK? (And, thanks Jon, for a great primer and making us think!)
Todd
Comments
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CS on Wed, July 29, 2009
I have yet to hear of a person who has said something like, “Because I received a flier in the mail from a local church that was telling me how I can have my Best Sex Life Now (TM), I repented of my sins and put my faith in Christ.”
Seriously, if we want to talk about sex in light of what the Bible says, in a decent and mature way, being sensitive and appropriate, that’s fine. When it’s being used as the draw card for bringing people into churches through web sites, billboards, mass-mailers, and news reports—that’s where it has to stop.
—
CS
Brandon Matthews on Wed, July 29, 2009
This post is so true. It is a strategy that even the growth experts endorse. I’ve also seen it happen before my eyes. A church about 30 minutes from me launched a sex series in a small town and it raised controversy. Out of that, the pastor was all over CNN, Fox, and local news. His church has boosted attendance like crazy from it.
Whatever it takes to reach the lost I say!
Rev. K on Wed, July 29, 2009
I agree in doing sermon series to induce the consciousness of the congregation about what God has to say about sex. However, I don’t endorse using a sermon series on sex as a way of getting more attendance in our congregations. As preachers we can’t stray away from sensitive topics. We also must guard against bringing about self glorification. I do believe our communities need to be aware of the both the blessings and dangers of sex.
CS on Wed, July 29, 2009
Brandon:
“Whatever it takes to reach the lost I say! “
That’s called, “pragmatism,” and that’s wrong. The way that churches should be grown, in a biblical model, is going out and preaching the Gospel so that people get saved and then want to come into churches.
Because, if we use your mentality, we could do silly things like giving away cars, iPods, vacations, and money. That would certainly draw people in as well.
—
CS
Brandon Matthews on Wed, July 29, 2009
So it’s wrong to make the messages inside our churches relevant so that people want to come?
Rev. K on Wed, July 29, 2009
making church relevant is what many are talking about today… this is one of the biggest hereies and mistakes any preacher of the Gospel could make… our job is to preach the Gospel not entertainment…
Brandon… who are you preaching for? the people or God? The Gospel preached in purity is our relevance to any generation… not giving away cars, ipods, etc… many are trying to turn the faith into a business with promotional give aways…
Brandon Matthews on Wed, July 29, 2009
The message is always relevant, but delivery is not. Why is the NIV translation more commonly used now than the KJV, because the presentation is more relevant.
I’m not endorsing “used car salesman” practices. But the topic was on sex series. For years the church has been silent on something Christ was vocal about and God created. Because the church has become vocal it has attracted the “world” to listen to what the church has to say. In return people have been saved and churches have grown. I just can’t find anything wrong with that.
Jesus preached the gospel but in new ways. Parables was something revolutionary for the time. Message stays the same but the methods always change!
Rev. K on Wed, July 29, 2009
Brandon,
I agree that this topic should be addressed in our congregations… but what I don’t agree with is the “relevant cop-out” that many are running too today…
I also agree that every preacher has their own preaching style… and we’re called to wait on and cultivate our gifts…
However, there’s too much showmanship and less Godliness within many of congregations… It’s the Holy Spirit that does the drawing… therefore we could take the pressure off ourselves and rely on the Holy Spirit… even in our best attempt we fall short…
Brandon Matthews on Wed, July 29, 2009
I agree with that statement. I believe that we are to do everything we possibly can, and then the Spirit does the rest.
What I mean by that is the same as “study to show yourself approved.” To me that’s saying don’t just half-way show up and expect God to clean up the mess. If I do all I can God rewards it and then does the work.
If I make Christ message compelling and relevant to those who are unknowing, when they come Christ will fulfill the work. Some plant, some water, but “God” gives the increase.
I agree the church cannot be built on personality, showmanship, or charisma. However, I still think we have to be creative in our approach.
Brandon Doss on Wed, July 29, 2009
“it is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? the important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Philippians 2:15-18
I’m not real worried about the motives behind why someone is preaching Christ. The fact is Jesus talked about it, and the Word talks about it. I think that if more faith families were open to bringing God back into the conversation from the pulpit on issues such as sex; maybe more people would be running from a sin, and running to Him. Relevance isn’t a cop out, it’s simply an attempt to bring the life Changing message of the Gospel to a world with as much clarity as possible.
CS on Wed, July 29, 2009
Brandon Doss:
“I’m not real worried about the motives behind why someone is preaching Christ. The fact is Jesus talked about it, and the Word talks about it. I think that if more faith families were open to bringing God back into the conversation from the pulpit on issues such as sex; maybe more people would be running from a sin, and running to Him.”
But that’s the key point. Most of the sermons related to this post aren’t preaching Christ, but they’re preaching sex. Christ and the life transformation by having a saving faith isn’t being put on billboards, but sex is. And when those people who were drawn to the church by this choose to leave, it isn’t because of a lack of Christ, but a lack of the sex sermons.
Brandon Matthews:
“If I make Christ message compelling and relevant to those who are unknowing, when they come Christ will fulfill the work. Some plant, some water, but “God” gives the increase.”
Christ is already relevant to those who are unknowing. If we preach Him crucified for the forgiveness of sins, as Paul did, that’s the most relevant thing we could ever preach.
—
CS
brandondoss on Wed, July 29, 2009
I disagree that they only preach sex. And I would submit that maybe your just seeing the title of the sermons and jumping to conclusions. I have seen and witnessed testimonies of Life change due to a message that preaches what God said about Sex, and presenting people an opportunity to repent, and run to Christ. It’s hard for me to understand why it’s such a big deal that churches preach on culturally relevant topics, many repent, and follow Christ, as a result. Show me where scripture says not to preach on Sex with in the confines of marriage, and show me where it says not to condemn sinful lifestyles…. Then I would be glad to agree that it’s out of place. I’m sure that if you were to inspect, every church talking about “Sex”, clearly presents the Gospel.
Steven Crutchfield on Thu, July 30, 2009
Wow…nothing like a little “sex talk” to stir the waters. As a pastor’s kid that grew up in a church culture where sex was taboo—I’m sooo thankful for relevant, life-giving churches that are dealing with the issues we actually face. It’s not our job to judge the motives of pastor’s who have “these series”, rather can we celebrate in the changed lives that are a result. Fruit speaks well of the tree it came from….whether we like it or not…just do what you’re called to do…if you don’t feel comfortable with a sex series…don’t do it…but if God is using it to reach the masses….don’t judge it! Remember, He does actually work in ways that are above our understanding…
—keep preaching Jesus my friends!!!
Peter Hamm on Thu, July 30, 2009
CS writes [I have yet to hear of a person who has said something like, “Because I received a flier in the mail from a local church that was telling me how I can have my Best Sex Life Now (TM), I repented of my sins and put my faith in Christ.”]
Doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. I could definitely see somebody attending a church for a specific sermon series to see what they can “get out of it” and in the process, beginning a new life in Jesus. Even one on sex.
That said, I sometimes feel like it’s too much, and we haven’t done one like this here. Not saying we won’t… But we do try to come up with provocative sermon titles like “Don’t Go To Church Anymore” (I think it was something like that.)
I don’t mind intriguing unbelieving or “de-churched” people to get them in my door, because I know what they will find here.
jerry on Thu, July 30, 2009
Preach the word- explain,illustrate and apply it is always relevant.
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