Jesus Cropped from the Picture

The Pragmatic Method

1980s, Pragmatics like me began to think of themselves as Christians apart from the local church . Christianity had become a personal relationship between “me and God.”

Those who did attend church began to choose a church that fit their personal preferences, much like a people would shop for a family car. In response, churches began to design their programs and activities to draw in members based on their stated needs, which often coincided with contemporary tastes in American entertainment. The Pragmatic Method embraced a faith that was individualistic, self-focused, and consumer-oriented. Instead of seeing this as a weakness to be resisted, Pragmatics used it as an opportunity to be exploited. Entrepreneurial success replaced faithfulness to the Story of the Kingdom . A Shift in Emphasis The Pragmatic Method continued the Traditional’s commitments to a Rationalistic Bible and the Cross (for personal salvation) as basic tenets of orthodoxy, but the efforts shifted to optimum communication of the Bible and the Cross, as evidenced in the numbers . The new questions were, “Are we filling the pews? Is the message persuasive and attractive? How many people are responding? Are we meeting people’s felt-needs?” These Pragmatic assumptions can be recognized by the way a church attracts new attenders. For example, a Pragmatic church might describe itself as “a friendly and warm church with active programs and a vital worship experience that is second to none. We have a fun youthministry where it is safe to bring your children.” The emphasis is on programs

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