When does cynicism cross a line, or is it even cynicicism?
To my lovely lovely friends who ocassionally peruse this blog, I have a question to pose. And I would like an honest opinion.
I do not like huge organized events where “Christians” help the “less fortunate.” I will even go so far as to think that they are not effective because the people doing the serving leave feeling better than the ones that received the service. I know (I know okay) in the dim corner of my smoky mind that this is not always true, but I still feel a cringe when I hear advertisements that seem very “Look at us- we’re doing something awesome!” I feel really convicted that the life of Jesus was not that, at all. People showed up and received help because he was doing something real that people believed in, I certainly don’t think they stuck a flashy poster on the message board for Galilee and its surrounding areas.
Church marketing these days has taken a decidedly trendy turn. Sure, we want people to come, but WHY do we want them to come? Are we effective or do we truly teach the gospel when we say come because we have XYZ or we do XYZ. It almost seems as disingenuous as the guy who sells holy water on TV. I know people there care about Jesus, understand some of his teachings, so why do we have to sell him? If we were living the way we are supposed to be, showing the kindness we are supposed to show, would we have to? Would we have to have large organized events that are just as much about attracting attention as they are about reaching people. Because as humans, we have to admit, WE HAVE TO, that our deep down intentions are not as good as we make them out to be. And when we examine that, do we then have to examine how we can be different and TRULY the way God intended us. How much does that strip away and how much does that leave of what we have today. Do we need “outreach” or can we just, everyday, reach out, and have a real relationship with groups differing from us that might see a real long term transformation. The church seems to largely view success in the world’s terms: money and numbers. Would we need the bells and whistles if we didn’t do that?
I would really like some differing perspectives here. Part of me feels cynical and judgmental for feeling this way, and part of that just thinks that’s good ol’ guilt and that at some point transformation has to come without feeling bad about it not always being how you thought! Please share! 
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