Ministry Goes Too Far

It's was bound to happen. In this age of megachurches and "faith marketing" pushing the envelope has gone a bit too far. Leave it to me to cry foul.

I've talked a few times to Craig Gross. He and Mike Gross are the guys behind "XXXChurch". They are supposed to be out there fighting against porn. This is the ''ministry'' of XXXchurch. While they seem like a nice guys with good intentions, I think they have lost thier way. These "Pastors" have allowed the marketing to overwhelm the message.

First, let me say I don't believe either one of these men are qualified to be pastors. Today anyone can be a pastor. It doesn't take much. That's dangerous.

Their documentary ''Missionary Positions'' records this group attending a porn convention. We have entered this new era in which vulgarity is viewed as a legitimate method of ''outreach'' to the younger generations. What a mixed message.

There is no good way to explain my objections here so I hope I don't offend anyone by doing so. XXXChurch has a website that is using a cartoon of a male sex organ as its logo. Their slogan is, ''Find out if you have the balls to stop looking at porn.'' Is this really the best way to face this?

The Lord Jesus Christ did not send us out into the world to try to stop unsaved people from engaging in sinful conduct. I don't recall disciples erecting giant mock-ups of sex organs in an attempt to get laughs at the temples of Corinth so they could ''witness'' about Christ. They didn't hang out in the brothels with the prostitutes to try to lure them away from sinful sexual practices. They stood in the streets and in the synagogues and preached.

Man-made schemes and attempts at relevance in reaching people always lead to disaster. But we all seem to gaze in awe as the "purpose driven" parade goes marching by. Regardless of what they claim their good intentions are it doesn't take a genius to see this is out of control. Everone involved in this need to take a long hard look in the mirror before they make any pretense at Christian ministry. Otherwise they are only contributing to the darkness.