Is it Forced? A TikTok Thought and the Traditional Church

 

Is it Forced? A TikTok Thought and the Traditional Church

I was scrolling through TikTok today, as one does, and a video from Mary Hulgraine stopped me in my tracks. Her simple premise was this: if something is true of God, we won't need to force it. We won't need to sin or resort to extreme measures to make it happen. (Watch the video below.)

The truth in that statement resonated deeply. It felt like a gentle breeze of common sense in a world often characterized by striving and manipulation. But as I pondered her words, my mind couldn't help but wander to the traditional church and the way it often operates.

How many times have you sat in a Sunday morning worship service and felt a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of force? Maybe it wasn't overt, no one was being physically dragged down the aisle, but there was an undertone, a feeling that certain aspects were being worked a little too hard. The music felt a tad too performative, the announcements a little too desperate for engagement, the overall atmosphere carrying a faint scent of… effort.

This feeling isn't just a fleeting observation. It's been solidified by conversations and statements I've heard from within church leadership itself. I remember a pastor once responding to community concerns about the church serving alcohol at concerts held on their property. His justification? "I am willing to do anything short of sin..." to get people through the doors and hear about Jesus.

Another time, regarding similar outreach efforts, I heard a different pastor declare, "We have to give them what they want so we can give them what they need."

These statements, while perhaps well-intentioned, sent a shiver of unease down my spine. If Mary Hulgraine's premise holds true – and I wholeheartedly believe it does – then why do these justifications exist within the church, especially coming from those in leadership?

It's not just Mary who points to this truth. The early church, as described in Acts 2:38-47, offers a powerful counter-narrative. The Bible clearly states that when the church functions as it should, rooted in prayer, fellowship, breaking of bread, and the apostles' teaching, God brings the increase! We are not the architects of growth; we are the gardeners who faithfully tend to the soil according to God's instructions. Our responsibility lies in obedience, not in orchestrating outcomes.

But what about reaching people outside the four walls of the church, you might ask? Does this principle still apply? Absolutely. We are repeatedly told in scripture that if we ask Jesus for anything according to His will, we will receive it, as long as it brings glory to God through the Son. Think about that for a moment. If we earnestly ask and don't receive, could it be that what we're asking for, in the way we're pursuing it, isn't ultimately glorifying to Him?

How often has the traditional church, facing a perceived lack of growth or engagement, asked God for something and, not seeing immediate results, resorted to crafting its own methods of attraction? The flashing lights, the trendy music that mimics the secular world, the watered-down messages designed not to offend – are these truly born of prayer and reliance on God, or are they man-made attempts to fill seats?

So, what does this tell me about churches whose leaders feel the need to make such statements and employ all sorts of "shenanigans" to draw crowds? It suggests that perhaps their current methods aren't truly bringing glory to God through the Son. Yes, God might receive some form of acknowledgment, but if the primary driver is human ingenuity and effort, rather than the organic outpouring of a Spirit-led community, then that glory is ultimately fleeting and dependent on man's ability to keep the show going.

Could this be a significant reason why so many churches today feel spiritually stagnant or even dead? Could the constant need to work so hard for growth be a symptom of a deeper issue – a reliance on our own strategies instead of God's power?

Church, I believe it's time for a radical shift. We need to loosen our grip on the world's marketing tactics and return to the foundational principles of the early church. We need to blow up our often-rigid and tradition-bound ideas of what "church" looks like and get back to the biblical basics found in Acts chapter 2.

Let's prioritize authentic community, fervent prayer, the diligent study of God's Word, and genuine acts of service. Let's trust that when we are obedient to God's commands, He is more than capable of bringing the increase. Let's release the forced efforts and allow the genuine, life-giving power of the Holy Spirit to draw people in.

Maybe then, the undertone of force will fade, replaced by the unmistakable sound of a community organically flourishing under the grace and power of God. And perhaps then, the world will see a church that doesn't need to try so hard, because the very essence of its being will be undeniably, beautifully, and powerfully of God. 

To learn more about our ministry go to www.theexchangemin.org