I read he said he would not use those words on his invite.
In a
wide-ranging interview, Shearer explains that "
while they may use certain phrases in church, Elevation Church doesn’t use words like “
resurrection,” “calvary,” or “blood of Jesus” on its Easter invites". It was refering to their marketing not their preaching.
I don't read anywhere where he says they will not use those words in the service. Maybe I'm reading it wrong. Good marketing on flyers and good preaching are two very different things. We don't put anywhere on our flyers " hard preaching on sin", but it's somewhat likely if they visit a few times they will hear hard preaching on sin.
Did he say they will not be preaching on “resurrection,” “calvary,” or “blood of Jesus”. maybe I missed it.
I guess we have to realize we are no longer in an "Acts 2" world where the underlying tenants of Christianity and Judaism are clearly evident. We are definitely living in an "Acts 17" world or perhaps even beyond this!
Yes, when reaching the lost, we should never assume people are versed in the "Christianese" of which we speak. Instead of "Calvary," we can speak of the "cross" which is still part of the decorum in most churches today. We should carefully and patiently explain its significance to the Christian faith.
I think the best way to make things "Relevant" would be to address the question most would have: "Why is there all of this pain, death, suffering, and misery going on in the world?" We answer this by speaking of man's total depravity, that he is dead in trespasses and sins, everyone has gone his own way and that way which seems right to man is the way of death! If you can them to understand their sinful, fallen condition, perhaps they may understand the relevance and neccessity of the gospel message: that Christ died for our sins!
Such a message is quite offensive to an unregenerate man who is just trying to "Live his best life now," have a good marriage, raise his kids right, and make it to the next rung on the corporate ladder!
Sorry, but I do not see this as being Furtick's primary motive! He wants this man to come and feel at home, learn a bunch of great principles for marriage, family, and so forth without the discomfort and inconvenience of the Cross!
We do not want to be intentionally or unnecessarily "mean" about it but those who are outside of Christ need to be confronted with the truth and if they are offended and choose to never set foot in your church again, so be it! You have tried to give them the full counsel of God and your hands are now clean and free of their blood!