They Only Come Twice a Year...

When I was in college, I attended a church with a very sharp psychologist turned pastor. He was an excellent preacher 50 weeks of the year. But on 2 Sundays - Christmas and Easter - he kicked it up a notch. The twice a year attendees who came on those two Sundays got an in your face, no holds barred assault from a man who knew how to lay the smackdown. Christmas and Easter wasn't just about the birth and resurrection. He brought it all that Sunday: abortion, adultery, moral absolutes, homosexuality. You name it, it was in there. He knew he had two chances a year to make an impact, and he aimed to make an IMPACT. I admired his gusto at the time... though in retrospect, I wonder how many people ever came back the week after.

Fast forward about ten years. Same church, new location, new seeker-friendly attitude. Gone is the now retired psychologist with a seminary degree. In with the folksy people person with the big smile. The Christmas carols were still there, accompanied by a rock band instead of an organ. But the hard-hitting sermon was gone in favor of a 30 minute drama so forgettable, the only thing I remember is that there was a fireplace. After the drama came five minutes of "I love you, you love me" talk, followed by the big finale number. The stage filled with singers, actors, Nativity characters, live sheep, and a ballerina who had one move that she did back and forth. The only thing missing was a big, flashing neon sign with the message, "Happy Birthday, Jesus, from your pals."

I'm not gonna say one is right or one is wrong. I share these stories to pose a few questions.

How do you intend to impact those twice-a-year people this Easter?

Are you doing it for their sake, for the church's image, or for God?