Are some churches going "too far" to reach the lost

Are Some Churches Going 'Too Far' to Reach the Lost for Christ? [Excerpts]

With more and more of America’s youth leaving the church at a rapid rate, some ministries are crossing traditional boundaries to stay “culturally relevant.” But is there such a thing as going “too far” to attract believers to, and keep them engaged with, Christ?

One ministry changing with the times is The Bridge church, located in Flint Township, Mich., which has incorporated the Serenity Tattoo Parlor into its community.

The parlor was opened when tattoo artist Ryan Brown, a recovering alcoholic, needed a place where he could practice his art while maintaining his moral code. Brown and fellow tattoo artist Drew Blaisdell work at Serenity by appointment or from noon to 8 p.m. most days.

Mosaic church, an untraditional ministry in Chattanooga, Tenn., has been forced to relocate after a gang-related shooting occurred at its Christian nightclub, Club Fathom [Mosaic Church’s urban youth outreach program], during a Christmas party.

The shootings occurred when the 400 participants exited...[the party] around midnight. Nine people were wounded in the shootings.

Dr. Rusty Freeman, director of Youth Ministries at the Southwest Texas Conference, says that it is important for churches to stay culturally relevant, but “it may not always work,” adding that youth leaders must remember to ultimately focus on the leading of the Holy Spirit.

“It goes back to that basic relationship in ministry ... the relationship between the students and God,” Freeman [said.]

“I really do think God's spirit will lead those folks into knowing and discerning how best to be relevant in the community,” he added.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/are-some-churches-going-too-far-to-reach-the-lost-for-christ-66848/

[TBC: Please see http://www.thebereancall.org/content/battle-over-truth-our-youth-0 which addresses this issue.]