My recent blog article that was posted on ABP recently led to a phone call from a Texas newspaper doing a story on Ed Young Jr’s sermon series and book “Sexperiment.” I am not sure if they will use my article/blog or quotes in their story and honestly I really will not mind if they don’t! I’m always nervous talking to media because you answer questions and wonder how it sounds. I prefer writing my thoughts out! But I’ll keep you posted if that article runs regardless whether I’m in it at all!!
Please go back and read either the ABP opinion piece I wrote that I have placed in this blog. I discuss upcoming books by two mega church pastors (one in Texas- Young and Seattle- Driscoll). Both preach on the topic and Young has a sermon series coming out on this issue. I also encourage you to read news articles on both books and visit Young’s web site devoted to the issue and watch the promo videos. As you watch Young’s videos imagine if your pastor showed this type of video to promote your church! Also imagine that your pastor was going to place a bed on the roof of your church and lie in bed with his wife for 24 hours in a ‘bed in’ to talk about the book release. How would that go over? And is that the best way to talk about marriage? Again I’m not saying these topics are not church topics but it is the how that bothers me. And the what in some cases!
As I reread my opinion piece on Driscoll and Young I thought I would muse a bit more. I was listening to a podcast today that went over the top books from 2011 and predicted book trends for 2012 (books in religion). Last year religious books on hell were the ‘hot’ item (excuse my pun) but the prediction is this year will have religion and politics and religion and sex. I get the politics part due to this being an election year but the sex focus of course comes on the heels of Young and Driscoll’s newest releases.
I have to admit I have only read selections and not the entire works. I have also read the interviews and watched video promos on the books. My original post was simply some mild observations about not just this topic but what seems to me a bigger issue regarding the role of the pastor. But let me give some thoughts to think about.
*The sensational issue. Ed Young and his wife have this new book coming out on sex in marriage. He has preached on this before so this isn’t new ground. As I watched those videos and thought about his ‘bed in’ I simply can’t imagine any pastor I know in my community doing this. It really seems over the top to me. Mark Driscoll and his wife also have a book out. Driscoll likes to curse and really get crass when he talks about sex and other issues. It just seems so sensational. I don’t mind them dealing with marriage issues but this just seems to be very theatrical and over the top. And I honestly refuse to repeat some of what he has said over and over about sex and other issues in this blog. I have heard sermons he has done on the Song of Songs that are “R rated” at best.
*The Qualification issue. Marriage and marital problems do need to be addressed. The church does need to help. Providing classes and workshops in marriage sounds good to me. Promoting and guiding people to seek counseling (professional) sounds awesome. And I don’t mind a pastor giving sermons on Christian marriage. But there seems to me a fine line that must not be crossed. Often pastors seem to use their position of authority as if they are experts in topics that may be out of their league. A non-sexual example might work. A pastor should preach sermons on giving/financial responsible living/stewardship. But doing that is far different from dispensing stock tips and investing hints. And so talking about sexuality is one thing but giving sex tips are two different animals. For example Young’s video shows seven rooms in the house (ranging from the backseat of the car in the garage) to the kitchen sink and says “Think outside the bedroom.” While married people are free to explore their homes anyway they wish as I watched it I just thought how much it looked like a reality show. It just wasn’t professional. I know it’s advertising but still it seemed so shallow and silly.
I do plan on doing a complete reading of both books and I will give my opinion after I’m done. I honestly didn’t buy them because I didn’t want to contribute to their salaries but I will read them in complete. However I have heard sermons on line by both of these ministers and read their interviews and sample chapters. I am quite confident that true to form both of these serve as examples of what is going on in many pulpits (big and small) of topical sermons that may have good intentions but might push the envelope more than should be the case.
On a positive note I will add that I am glad the subject of marriage and sexuality is not being ignored. I do not call for a position of silence or preaching that all sex is bad or some of the extremes that many folks can testify to hearing in the past. I realize the church has often done a horrible job with sexuality and yet I don’t want to go crazy the other way. I simply believe we should do this with more reverence, less tabloid like approach, reality show tricks, or arrogance. I would hope that churches will not just look at this and shake their heads but instead look for more healthy ways to address the struggles married couples are facing and offer realistic help. I’m all for that! But please let’s show some class! There are some excellent marriage resources, retreats, and other tools that can help strengthen couples in our churches. So maybe this conversation will lead the rest of us to doing our job better.
Blessings,
Derik
