9Marks 2007 Report Card (Mark Dever)
January 30, 2008
I received the 9Marks 2007 Report Card in an email today. My attention was immediately drawn to a quote from Mark Dever.
Consider how spot-on Mark is with his words in this quote.
I want you to try a thought exercise. Suppose a business school class on non-profit organizations assigns its students the task of building a successful church. And assume all the students are non-Christians. Could they succeed?
Sure they could! With the right poll-tested methods, just about anyone can draw a crowd. If ambience sells coffee, why not use it to sell Jesus? If music sells clothing, why not use it to market the church? The church might even win a “Most Innovative!” award.
Yet think about this: what does it say about God if we need to market his glory and gospel with the same tools we use to sell toothpaste and laundry detergent? Is he really that desperate?
God is so much more glorious. He has declared a mighty gospel and then backed up his words by changing a group of people. There’s the church’s appeal: The wisdom of God. The might of God. the love of God. On display in the lives of a changed people for all the world to see!
Is your church relying on natural appeal or supernatural? Whose glory does it display?
Books and other resources by featured author Mark Dever
Posted in 9Marks, Church, Church Life, Mark Dever
content rss
February 1st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Good call. My pastor once told me something along these lines, something one of his pastor friends said: “We’re no longer Purpose Driven; we’re now God-driven.” Truly, I like the move away from seeker-sensitivity that’s beginning to emerge. If you pour hydrochloric acid on a piece of wood, it will eat through until it gets to the ground. But if you water the acid down, it will eventually be safe to drink. Too many churches are watering down the Gospel in order to attract a crowd, but what effect does it have in their lives now?