October 21 & 22, 2006
For the last couple of decades, the term “seeker sensitivity” has caused some people to return to church and to the Lord. But it has caused other people to bristle with rage. As a strategy, seeker sensitivity is very reasonable, if understood correctly. It simply means that churches should tailor their methods to make it easier for a person who is not used to church to feel comfortable in the process of discovery. Being sensitive to seekers can involve things as non-controversial as using friendly greeters in the church lobby. This is great. On the other hand, some churches have allowed seeker sensitivity to dilute the content of the gospel. That would be unacceptable.
Here at Dayspring, we recognize the importance allowing people’s perspective, passions, and prejudices to influence the way we communicate but not what we communicate.
We must understand the perspective of the people we address. How do they view the world, themselves, and us? Paul tailored his technique to the target audience (1 Cor 9:19-23). He didn’t change the content, but took the context into consideration.
We must also understand the passions of those we hope to reach. Where do their hearts beat? If we are to effectively share the news of salvation in Christ, we had better be in tune with the things that others hold dear to them. People will not express interest in our greatest passion if they sense that we are uninterested in what is most important to them.
And we must also know their prejudices. What turns them off? This information can help us as seek to communicate the Good News. We are sensitive to these contextual issues, but we are committed to the unchanging content of the gospel. By being sensitive, we may avoid tripping people on their way to God. My hope is that the cross itself is the only stumbling block.
Here at Dayspring, we recognize the importance allowing people’s perspective, passions, and prejudices to influence the way we communicate but not what we communicate.
We must understand the perspective of the people we address. How do they view the world, themselves, and us? Paul tailored his technique to the target audience (1 Cor 9:19-23). He didn’t change the content, but took the context into consideration.
We must also understand the passions of those we hope to reach. Where do their hearts beat? If we are to effectively share the news of salvation in Christ, we had better be in tune with the things that others hold dear to them. People will not express interest in our greatest passion if they sense that we are uninterested in what is most important to them.
And we must also know their prejudices. What turns them off? This information can help us as seek to communicate the Good News. We are sensitive to these contextual issues, but we are committed to the unchanging content of the gospel. By being sensitive, we may avoid tripping people on their way to God. My hope is that the cross itself is the only stumbling block.
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