Fitness?
My wife works part-time as a Health and Fitness Coordinator at a local health club. In a recent meeting, one of the executives lamented, “We used to find our greatest competition among other health and fitness clubs. Yet, now, some of our biggest competitors are churches.”
As my wife stated her objection to this practice among churches, another instructor added, “Well, churches have to do that to retain their membership.”
What a sad indictment of those churches and their members! Not only is the practice of church-funded recreation and entertainment without a Scriptural basis, it is sad to think our love for the Lord is so weak we must be manipulated and gimmicked into faithfulness.
Paul once wrote, Jesus “purchased...the church of God...with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). This “church” is called “the body” of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). Jesus “loved the church and gave Himself for her…” (Ephesians 5:25). Yet, apparently, this type of sacrifice is not enough motivation.
The fact Jesus died for “our sins” is not enough for some to memorialize this death on the Lord’s Day (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). No, they will have to check and see if the church’s gymnasium and daycare is good enough first. Further, the fact the early church assembled “on the first day of the week” to remember the Lord’s death is not enough to compel service (Acts 20:7). No, they must check the church cafeteria’s breakfast or lunch menu first. The fact Jesus is the Savior of the church is not enough to praise Him and encourage our others regularly (Hebrews 10:24-25). No, we must make sure our favorite entertainers are on stage first. The fact Jesus is Lord and demands our worship and obedience is not enough (Acts 2:36). No, we must make sure our local church offers our favorite fitness class first (Acts 2:36). The fact Jesus will judge us and make the deciding factor between heaven and hell is not enough (Acts 17:30-31). No, we must make sure our local church’s coffee and donuts are the best in town.
While some churches will not openly admit it, they have no confidence in the gospel’s power. Instead, their hope for growth is wrapped up in carnal things (cp. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6). Paul once said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation…” (Romans 1:16). Churches need to get back to the real winning power of the gospel and stay out of the gimmick business.
Think about it.
November 2009