Worship and the “Seeker-Friendly” churches

Introduction

In the quest to create welcoming and inclusive church environments, the concept of “seeker-friendly” churches has gained popularity. While the intention is noble, it’s essential to critically examine this approach. As Christ-followers, kindness and hospitality are paramount, but are we focusing on the right aspects? “Seeker friendly” churches have a consumeristic mindset and are focused on the “felt needs” of the lost people around them. Here, we briefly explore three problems with the “seeker-friendly” model.

There are no seekers

The foundation of many seeker-friendly churches rests on the assumption that there are people actively seeking God. However, the scriptural perspective challenges this notion. According to Romans 3:10–12, none are righteous, none understand, and none seek God. This raises a crucial question — if the Bible is true, do people genuinely show up at churches actively seeking God? We all need to be reconciled to Him, to be sure, but it’s not as if there’s a bunch of people desperately trying to find God but can’t because your worship service isn’t cool enough. God is the one who is seeking and gathering His people. We are the ones who are lost.

“Seekers” (unbelievers) can’t worship

A key aspect of the Christian faith is worship, a time when believers express reverence and adoration for God. But “seekers” — maybe we should just call them unbelievers — can’t worship. It’s not that they struggle to do so, but that they simply are not capable of doing so due to the pernicious effect of sin. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2:14, it’s argued that the natural person does not accept spiritual things. While seekers may go through external motions, true worship involves a connection of spirit and truth (John 4:24) — elements that unbelievers do not possess yet. This challenges the traditional approach of tailoring services solely for seekers, raising questions about the authenticity of their worship experience. As R.C. Sproul explains, “seeking after God begins at conversion, and if we are to structure our worship with a view to seekers, then we must structure it for believers since only believers are seekers.”

The Gospel is offensive to “seekers”

Paul’s words in Corinthians highlight the folly of the gospel to those whose eyes have not been opened by the Spirit. The concern raised is that in the pursuit of being seeker-friendly, churches risk diluting the profound message of the gospel. All too often, churches feel more like a middle school cafeteria than a church storming the gates of hell. The question emerges — should the gospel be shaped to please, or should it be allowed to remain offensive to those in spiritual darkness? The tension between being welcoming and presenting the unaltered truth of the gospel is a critical consideration.

Instructions from 1 Corinthians 14

While the idea of “seeker-friendly” churches aims to create open and inviting spaces for all, it’s crucial to reassess the focus and potential pitfalls of this approach. The three identified issues prompt us to reconsider our strategies. Can a balance be struck between hospitality and the unaltered truth of the gospel? What does the Bible have to say about that?

We cannot give full consideration to this topic without addressing 1 Corinthians 14:24–25:

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

This whole chapter 14, often regarded as central to understanding the dynamics of the gathered, corporate worship of the church, unveils critical elements that resonate with our exploration of the witnessing power of worship. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul deals with the complexities of the gathered assembly, emphasizing the transformative potential inherent in the corporate worship experience.

In this passage, the apostle Paul underscores the dual nature of worship, emphasizing its role in serving both the edification of believers and as a powerful witness to unbelievers. Paul addresses the Corinthian church’s practice of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of speaking in tongues, and highlights the importance of intelligible communication for the benefit of the entire congregation. The overarching theme is the building up of the body of believers, ensuring that worship is not merely a private, individual experience but a communal endeavor that fosters growth and understanding among Christians. Simultaneously, Paul recognizes the potential impact of worship on those who may be outside the faith, emphasizing the need for order and comprehensibility in the assembly to make the message accessible and compelling to unbelievers. Thus, 1 Corinthians 14 serves as a foundational text in understanding the dual purpose of worship — strengthening the faith of believers and providing a compelling testimony to those who have yet to embrace the Christian message.

Particularly relevant to the discussion is the insightful passage in verses 24–25, where Paul describes the impact of prophetic utterances within the worshiping community. In this portrayal, an unbeliever entering the assembly encounters the manifest presence of God, leading to conviction, revelation, and the disclosure of the secrets of their heart. This profound depiction aligns seamlessly with the exploration of the witnessing power of corporate worship, emphasizing that worship both purposes, the edification of believers and beyond the internal dynamics of the believing community. It serves as a powerful means of outreach to those outside the faith, with the vibrant and Spirit-led expressions of worship envisioned by Paul acting as a compelling testimony that transcends linguistic barriers and speaks directly to the human heart.

In this way, the witnessing power of corporate worship is not confined to the edification of believers alone but extends to the transformative encounter of unbelievers in the presence of God. This amplifies the significance of corporate worship as a witness that not only shapes the faith community but also draws others into an encounter with the triune God.

Therefore, the church’s worship is not meant to be an isolated, inward-focused activity but rather a corporate means of expressing and proclaiming the truth and beauty of the gospel to the world. In this sense, the worship of the church becomes a form of witness. To communicate effectively the transformative message of the gospel, worship should be accessible and comprehensible to the broader community, reaching both the mind and heart of individuals. Language plays an important role in making worship accessible. The use of language that is clear, relevant, and familiar to the community helps remove barriers and facilitates understanding. It enables individuals to engage with the content of the worship service, grasp the theological truths being communicated, and relate them to their own experiences and contexts.

However, while it is imperative for worship to be linguistically accessible, allowing the community to connect more immediately with its essence, the church is simultaneously charged with the profound task of teaching and discipleship. This involves cultivating a deep understanding of Biblical metaphors and imagery, ensuring that the worship experience serves not only as an accessible encounter but also as a rich educational opportunity. Thus, the principle extends to a harmonious integration of language that bridges accessibility with the ongoing commitment to nurturing a profound understanding of the Biblical narrative within the worshiping community. As Matthew Henry would say, “religious exercises in Christian assemblies should be such as are fit to edify the faithful, and convince, affect, and convert unbelievers.”

Conclusion

In accordance with Paul’s guidance in 1 Corinthians 14:40, our church services should be conducted “decently and in order” with the primary goal of “building up the church [body]” (1 Corinthians 14:12). It is crucial to recognize that the Church isn’t reserved for those who have already attained an elite level of spirituality, knowledge, and holiness. Instead, it exists as a sanctuary for individuals navigating their journey of discipleship.

Then, if there are unbelievers and outsiders present in the gathering (and we hope there will be), the preaching and teaching of God’s Word aim to stir conviction, foster accountability, unveil the depths of their hearts, inspire worship of God, and lead them to acknowledge the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit among them (1 Corinthians 14:24–25).