Posted by Matt Markins in 
This news is beginning to feel like old news but I have yet to comment on it. In early November I read excerpts of Bill Hybels shocking confession to the Church in an article written by Bob Burney (Salem Communications’ award-winning host of Bob Burney Live, heard weekday afternoons on WRFD-AM 880 in Columbus, Ohio. ).
Hybels has announced that many aspects of the seeker-friendly movement did not work. Things that they spent millions of dollars on were not working at all and other items they seemed to ignore, their people were begging for.
The following quote from Hybels is what I think is most significant:
“We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ’self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their Bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.”
I find it disturbingly encouraging that Randall House has been saying this for several years now. Our customers were begging us for a different curriculum (prior to 2004) that would foster what Hybels is calling a ’self feeder’ Christian lifestyle – teaching the individual to be responsible for spending time with God on their own. This is not only common sense, it’s Biblical. And, it’s exactly what CLEAR Curriculum provides the local church and the family (a small group curriculum resource for church and a daily devotional for home for all life stages…D6).
Don’t get me wrong, I think that adding interesting elements (different forms of new media) to your worship service can increase the effectiveness of communicating the gospel. But if you hang your hat on what happens from 10:00 – noon every Sunday (regardless of the methods) you are missing the mark. It is not just about Sunday School, Small Groups or Sunday morning service…it’s about equipping people for the rest of the week. Starbucks in the lobby can be impressive, but when it comes right down to it, I hope we are investing significant resources to giving parents and families tools to love God and understand the Bible Monday – Saturday, helping them to become ’self feeders.’
Go therefore and make disciples…Matthew 28:19a
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2
Matt,
This may be CLEAR Curriculum’s most important strategic advantage. You hit the nail on the head with your comments. Now we just need to continue to educate churches and Sunday School teachers about the tools Randall House offers through our curriculum.
I just recently got a question, “What is D6?” and I directed her to randallhouse.com to read more about it.
Suzanne, soon you will be able to direct those questions to D6Family.com (we are launching this February 15, 2008. Can’t wait!