The Message and Methodology

One of the more common phrases in our current church culture goes something like this, "Our methods change but the message never does."  This sounds acceptable at first but I think a little further thought is in order.  Vance Havner once said, "People are saying we should hob-nob with Sodom and get chummy with Gomorrah in order to convert them.  The argument is that the end justifies the means, but they fail to realize that the means determines the end.  If you use an unworthy means you have already spoiled the objective."  Our methods are very much apart of our message.  The way one performs an act says so much about what is being done.  For example, if one wishes to be a great baseball pitcher then one must practice. Someone who is lazy and shows up late and dresses shabbily and does not prepare himself will not be a good pitcher because his methods express the message to the coach and others that he just doesn't care.  He may be very talented and have a very strong arm but if he does not bring his methods in line with what the coach demands it will not matter how talented he may be.  Our objective is to glorify God in all things.  And we have no talent apart from Him.  By changing our methods to whatever is the latest fad in our modern Sodom is simply expressing a message that displeases our holy God.  He commands (without apology) that His people act reverently in their worship of Him and express that to others.  It matters not if the Sodomites are comfortable, nor are we called to provide a relaxed atmosphere  for those in Gomorrah.  What matters is that God is honored and revered above all else and that His truth is proclaimed in love.  Any method that does not first of all focus on this truth will unfortunately declare a different message than that which has been delivered to us from the prophets and apostles of old.