I find it rather interesting that the Acuff blog actually had more to do with judgementalism and theological bickering than "avatarism". I fully expected it to be about Christians disregarding their beliefs altogether and becoming a online terrors. Which happens regularly, in gaming or in communities. Christians shurk off any "religious censorship" they would normally heed to and run amok because no one is the wiser.
The problem, in either situation, comes down to not being personal relationship. It is easy to treat someone poorly when there is no personal give and take or, more importantly, love. And this carries over into offline communication as well. I'm sure many of us have known non-Christians who have been completely turned off by the faith because a Christian that they barely knew treated them with finger-wagging and condemnation rather than the love of Christ. Which then puts up a wall for future interactions.
I've been involved in a number of internet communities in the last decade and I've always tried to approach it with authenticity of character and of faith. Most of these communities have not been faith-based, but I've walked away from some great relationships and very positive experiences. And, of course, I've had to put up with a number of jerks.
I agree that the focus shouldn't be our personal enjoyment, but God's that is important. But it is difficult to get into that mentality. It is especially hard when the church has done such a poor job of emphasizing worship even when you are having a terrible day/week/month/year. Everything has to "feel good", even when life doesn't. King David certainly had his bad days, but some of those psalms are the most beautiful and meaningful.
What irks me is another presupposition made by far too many churches that we need to "progress" towards contemporary styles. I understand why, as it often appeals to a younger generation, but I don't think it is right. I enjoy both "contemporary" and "traditional" services. Both are edifying to me. What I don't like is when a church is trying too hard to make one fit into the other. More specifcially, hymns and contemporary worship songs are constructed in very different ways. Too often contemporary services will chop key verses from a hymn to shorten the song. Alternately more traditionally-minded churches will concede to a contemporary service, only to pigeonhole the songs into the standard hymn progression. And if I'm coming down more on the contemporary service it is because that is what I've known/grown up with and have a tendency to gravitate towards.
Posted in: Do Christians Become Jerks Online?
I find it rather interesting that the Acuff blog actually had more to do with judgementalism and theological bickering than "avatarism". I fully expected it to be about Christians disregarding their beliefs altogether and becoming a online terrors. Which happens regularly, in gaming or in communities. Christians shurk off any "religious censorship" they would normally heed to and run amok because no one is the wiser.
The problem, in either situation, comes down to not being personal relationship. It is easy to treat someone poorly when there is no personal give and take or, more importantly, love. And this carries over into offline communication as well. I'm sure many of us have known non-Christians who have been completely turned off by the faith because a Christian that they barely knew treated them with finger-wagging and condemnation rather than the love of Christ. Which then puts up a wall for future interactions.
I've been involved in a number of internet communities in the last decade and I've always tried to approach it with authenticity of character and of faith. Most of these communities have not been faith-based, but I've walked away from some great relationships and very positive experiences. And, of course, I've had to put up with a number of jerks.
Posted in: "Contemporvant" Worship Video--Funny? Offensive? Satirical? Mean?
I like it. All too familiar and I hope it challenges people to rethink their motivations when it comes to worship.
Posted in: “Contemporary Worship” Doesn’t Have to Be Empty of History
I agree that the focus shouldn't be our personal enjoyment, but God's that is important. But it is difficult to get into that mentality. It is especially hard when the church has done such a poor job of emphasizing worship even when you are having a terrible day/week/month/year. Everything has to "feel good", even when life doesn't. King David certainly had his bad days, but some of those psalms are the most beautiful and meaningful.
What irks me is another presupposition made by far too many churches that we need to "progress" towards contemporary styles. I understand why, as it often appeals to a younger generation, but I don't think it is right. I enjoy both "contemporary" and "traditional" services. Both are edifying to me. What I don't like is when a church is trying too hard to make one fit into the other. More specifcially, hymns and contemporary worship songs are constructed in very different ways. Too often contemporary services will chop key verses from a hymn to shorten the song. Alternately more traditionally-minded churches will concede to a contemporary service, only to pigeonhole the songs into the standard hymn progression. And if I'm coming down more on the contemporary service it is because that is what I've known/grown up with and have a tendency to gravitate towards.