I don’t take any drinks simply because I know I have an addictive personality and I don’t want to start something I can’t stop, especially with having family with alcoholic backgrounds. I just think having a tattoo, for me, is ugly so I don’t want any. I don’t do clubs because usually, at least in our area, it gets violent and sometimes people are even killed. I don’t see the need to subject myself to that. The “unchurched” friends I have can see that I can have fun without drinking or going to the club, but if they do, that’s their choice.

I do believe that many people have had bad experiences with hypocritical or judgmental people. You can be loving without going all out to look like and behave like the world, because we still do have a mandate to be a part of this world but not of it. This means how we stand out should be, as one poster said, because of our actions and reactions to every day situations and life. We are to be known because of our love for one another and it is the love of God that brings repentance.

Love is something the world desperately needs and desires and doesn’t get enough of, therefore this alone is enough to make Christianity attractive. But alas being judgmental and hypocritical does not belie love and therein lies the rub.

My goal is to simply lead people to Christ and if they truly love God, then anything contrary to His Word (whether it be drunkenness, homosexuality, prochoice, whatever) then God will deal with that. The Holy Spirit will convict them as they grow in their relationship with God. No one, in their right mind, would accuse God of being judgmental and hypocritical, so let Him do it. I, or any other human, people can and will always find fault with.

What a person is doing wrong right now shouldn’t be the main focus or concern when evangelizing. After they accept Christ, that can and will be dealt with. There is a balance to evangelism that we need God to help us with if we are going to influence the lost for Christ.

I imagine that the love as defined as Agape and Mett? might be good examples.

It’s sometimes not as easy to speak on the behalf of the whole group when not all are 100% on the same wavelengths of thought and purpose. But on a general line and basis, the leader does have to speak for the whole at times. Very well said on the quote “Leadership is about perception.”

Great post :) Eric

I’m able to recall, some 13 or 14 years ago, if we went to pubs, chat on IRC, tattooed our arms, colored our hair, chit chat with female member on phone, listened to Pop/Rock genre or wore jeans and t-shirt to service, we will be invited to drink coffee and have dinner with our leaders/pastors (a.k.a. counselling).

Since 2002 with the crossover, we write and sing Rock songs and RAP, break danced, “Painted the Town Red” and sung lyrics that goes “God did not SCREW UP when He made you” did not raise our eyebrows, we colored our hair, tattoo our hands, legs, buttocks (huh?), broke all the taboos of traditional church, today became tweets and really be normal humans who enjoy things normal people do.

The result? First, we moved into a small old Cinema in 2005. Too small for us. We lasted 6+ years. We built out own building and run up to 6 services in 2001. Pastor started Cultural Mandate, had Pop concert in church. Many are saved. Too small for us. We lasted only 3+ years before we have to find a new place. Dec 2005 we moved into a Stadium sized hall. NOT BIG ENOUGH. We have to hold our service in 2 locations because we cannot house everyone in that big hall. Barely 3 years. TOO SMALL FOR US.

The point is people still get saved today without the traditions, many of which are first church converts. It must tell us something. If being traditional (and judgemental/legalistic) don’t bring the kind of revival that being relevant to society brings, then there’s no value in holding on to traditions unless the Great Commission is to preserve tradition.

I guess the only thing missed dearly today about the past is the Thanksgiving Service with Pastor Kong and Sun where we have to queue extra long hours to get into Hollywood Theater…

Very true!

I attended my very first Sunday service last week, I found that you are a very powerful speaker, I have no hesitation to attend CH church coming Easter Holiday.

This is my first time so close to Christ and hope someone will provide me with more strong will power.

Thank the Lord we have Him on our side. your the best and an influenceR of Christ

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