Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: October 10, 2004
Entertainment and Pleasure In The Church
Roger D. Campbell
At our house we enjoy various forms of relaxing activities. We play games,
listen to CD’s, watch videos, take in some sports on the tube, go to ball
games, visit amusement parks, entertain guests, and participate in other
activities that would fit into the category of entertainment, recreation, or
pleasure. We realize, of course, that all of these affairs must be of such
nature that they would not in any way involve us in ungodliness or the
fulfilling of fleshly lusts (Titus 2:12).
Yes, as a husband and father I am always searching for wholesome activities
that our family can do “just for fun.” However, as a Christian I would never
consider turning to the church and appealing to it to help supply me with what
I and my family want in the realm of recreation, entertainment, or pleasure.
Why not? Because the work of the church involves evangelism, edification,
and benevolence, but nowhere in the Bible do we read that the church is
authorized to provide recreation, entertainment, or pleasure for its members
or other people.
In case you have not been informed, you need to know that today in more and
more places the church is becoming involved in just those very things. Lots of
folks want to be entertained, and they want the church to provide for them and
their families a “fun” atmosphere. Sadly, more than a few preachers and
elders are giving heed to such worldly cries. As a result, in an effort to attract
big numbers or least keep the worldly-minded content, in many places
entertainment, recreation, fun and pleasure are “in,” while book, chapter, and
verse preaching coupled with rebuking of those involved in sin and
unauthorized activities are “out.”
Just what is it that the church needs in our day? Answer: the same thing in
needed in the first century — the word of the living God, which is able to build
us up and give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified (Acts 20:
32). Yes, just as the saints nearly 2000 years ago, our great need is still to
abide in the doctrine of Jesus Christ (2 John 9). With that in mind, let us
look at some questions that cause us personally to be extremely concerned
about the present trends in so many congregations.
1.) All members of the church who love the souls of men are always concerned
about what we can do to “get more people.” Do we need to try and draw
folks with entertainment and appeals to worldly pleasures, or with
something else? God’s vote is for “something else.” The Lord Jesus said,
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:
and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they
shall be all taught of God, Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath
learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44-45). The only way to come
to Jesus is by being drawn by His Father. But how does the Father draw men
to the Son? Jesus said He does it when men are taught of God, hearing and
learning His word.
We have heard of a great variety of schemes that have been used to attract
people. Such things as bringing in singing groups or comedy teams, hiding
money under a lucky seat, the preacher pushing a banana across the stage
with his nose, and numerous other activities have been employed to either
bring new folks in or keep “the converted” folks happy.
Friends, the power of God unto salvation is the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16).
God calls men out of darkness and into His marvelous light, kingdom, and
glory (I Pet. 2:9; I Thess. 2:12). The means by which He does this is through
the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14), not via entertainment or gimmicks.
2.) In the pulpit do we need an entertainment-preacher, or a preacher-
preacher? An entertainment-preacher is one who tries to keep folks happy
and entertained with his fun and jokes approach. A “preacher-preacher” is
one who preaches God’s word and lets the chips fall where they may. What
saith the Lord? “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:3). A
preacher who does this is fulfilling “the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5).
The charge to all preachers is, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that
hear thee” (I Tim. 4:16). One can search high and low in the New Testament,
but he will never find the concept of a preacher being an entertainer!
3.) In worship do we need singing for the purpose of entertaining, or for
the purpose of praising God? Solos, quartets, and choirs are becoming
more and more popular in the church. Be that as it may, there is absolutely
no authority for them in the Bible. Call us “old-fashioned” or label us as
having “traditional worship” if you must, but where there is no Bible authority
for an action, we are just not interested in doing it (I Pet. 4:11).
Good people, our singing in our assemblies is not done for man’s pleasure,
but for the praise of the Lord God! We must never forget this. We are
instructed to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
These terms are defined by Thayer and Vine in this manner: “psalm” — “a
pious song,” “a sacred song”; “hymn” — “a sacred song,” “a song of praise to
God,” “song of praise addressed to God”; “spiritual song” — “a song in praise
of God or Christ.” And what about “making melody” in Eph. 5:19? It means “to
celebrate the praises of God in song,” “to sing praises.” Again, we are to sing
in order to praise our Lord, not just to please or entertain men.
4.) Does the church need drama, or the doctrine of God? We know that
drama teams are big among a lot of brethren. For our part, we view drama as a
sort of show that is provided for people’s pleasure or entertainment. We know
that a constant message of “sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) and “thus saith the
Lord” is not nearly as appealing to many people as costumes, make-up and
puppets. However, the unchanging truth is: “For the preaching of the cross is
to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power
of God . . . it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe” (I Cor. 1:18, 21). Our task is not to perform and make people smile or
praise our neat skits. Rather, we are to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15). That,
and that alone, is what can save those who have an honest and good heart
(Luke 8:15).
5.) Do we need church-financed support for the poor, or church-
financed meals and parties for members who can afford their own
meals? If a Christian is in a bad financial strait, then it would be appropriate
for the church to help him/her with meals or financial help in general. We are
to be ready to distribute “to the necessity of the saints” (Rom. 12:13). In the
same epistle we read of a contribution from a number of congregations for “the
poor” (Rom. 15:26). Cf. also Gal. 2:10; 6:10.
But, if Christians have the financial ability to feed themselves, then they
should neither expect nor want the church to pay for their food, forks, plates,
or other eating paraphernalia. If the members of our congregation want to
enjoy a meal or party together, then let’s do it. However, let us do it at our
own personal expense and not consider asking the church to “foot the bill” for
an activity that is clearly designed simply for our pleasure. We personally do
not see that there is biblical authority for the church to use money from its
treasury to pay for such things. The church is not in the party or pleasure-
providing business.
6.) Do we need church-sponsored entertainment and fun, or family-
sponsored entertainment? Wholesome entertainment, recreation, fun, and
activities that provide pleasure are not off limits for children of God. However,
these ought to be provided and financed by moms and dads, family members,
or other individuals. They are simply not the work of the church.
It seems that some “ministers” are hired to entertain the church’s young
people. They are expected to organize wiener roasts, trips, and all kinds of fun
stuff to keep the young folks happy and off the streets. It is certainly a
wonderful thing to conscientiously work with young people to teach and train
them in spiritual affairs so they can mature in Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). We need
more of this. We fear, however, that in some cases the spiritual development
takes a back seat to fun stuff.
Some families move their membership to a congregation that has “more
activities for young people.” Again, activities might be spiritual in nature, or
they might be just those that are for pleasure or having a good time. It is
great when young Christians enjoy one another’s association. However, trips
to amusement parks, camping trips, or going rafting are activities that ought to
be organized and financed by the home, and not by the church. If parents
want more fun activities for the young people, then THEY need to get busy and
work with other parents to arrange them. They can do that right in the
congregation where they are, and don’t need to run off to one where they are
hoping that the church will arrange the fun things in their stead.
Entertainment and pleasure in the church? God forbid! Brethren, let’s leave
recreation, fun, and games, entertainment, and pleasure just where they
belong. These are to be provided by or in the home/family. They sure enough
are not part of the work of the church. —via “Banner of
Truth” — March 2000