I was glad to read this interview with Rob Bell in Leadership. The whole interview was a good one.

Particularly this point, if anything he is advocating what many are asking for...a time to reflect on the spiritual implications of this video preaching/teaching stuff.

Thanks for posting this section.

You are the Church!

There's a time and a place for videos. I'm not sure that we can do church effectively by relying heavily on them. There are too many of those "one another" passages to live out in relationship to each other - and to a dying world.

But Rob's videos sure have been helpful in presenting truth in a powerful way in the counseling office.

The captives are being released and freed. Thank you.

I'm still trying to see what is so controversial about Rob Bell. At least in this interview, he comes across as a guy who thinks like an artist, juxtaposing contrasting elements, but hardly a heretic. Can anyone enlighten me as to the danger he poses?

He's seems to be pretty clearly coming out against the "satellite church" trend of recent years.

"Can anyone enlighten me as to the danger he poses?"

Well that depends on what you think the Gospel is about.

Here is Rob Bell's explanation.
http://www.viddler.com/explore/GoodNewsTo/videos/12/

from the article:
"Rob Bell is the most interesting preacher in the world."

Really?

"Rob Bell is the most interesting preacher in the world."

Is God looking for lecture artists to be "interesting" or is He looking for communicators of truth to be "reproductive"?
Luke 6:40; 2 Tim. 2:2

Is He looking for teachers to connect in mutual personal relationship in life so they can "set the example for the flock"? 2Peter 5:3

It's easy for men to gravitate to whatever causes the most people to hear and see them do their thing and call it all good kingdom stuff. There are a lot of saints who sucker for shallow substitutes of God's design. Video and other media driven forms are all worse extensions of the short-sighted "local pulpit" routine which has been popular for so long. God is big on grace but He has bigger rewards for those who obey rather than forcing Him to accomplish His work on men's prefered terms.

Sounds like Shane Hipps' new role at Mars Hill is already having effect :)

"rob bell is the most interesting preacher in the world"

- not sure you guys are getting the reference... not that it will make you happier, but still.

Bell is dangerous, along with many other popular false teachers, because he avoids the most important teaching-the gospel. The essence of Christianity is the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins. The gospel message is that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus came,as God in the flesh, to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, so that those who believe, are saved and have everlasting life.

The false teachers of today are saying Christ is in everything, that we should be like Christ, and treat others kindly. They have a message that sounds good to the ears. But they are not preaching and teaching what will save souls. Rob Bell actually says that "the most powerful things happen when the church surrenders its desire to convert people."

Rob Bell writes off things like the virgin birth as not essential. The Bible tells us that Mary was a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The disciples travelled town to town spreading the gospel message, and many would come to believe, while others did not, and then they moved on. Paul even said that he did not come to baptize but to preach the gospel. That is because it is vital for salvation!

It is just like the Bible says about about end times. We have many false Christs and many false teachers. Jesus warned us again and again, but will you listen?

"This is just a church service. Church is actually about caring for one another, and serving one another, and speaking truth to one another in love. Don't get the two confused."

While this is partially true, none of those things happen when people don't actually go to church. If you aren't engaged in a local fellowship you can hardly care, serve or speak truth to your fellow Christians. You don't even know who they are.

I think you raise a very viable point, in the hinderence of discipleship.

However it somewhat reminds me of the fact that Paul did a good amount of teaching through letters, and I tend to think that if he had the internet he would have used it.

But it's true that we should be careful.

All of these elements--video, church service, personal fellowship, and many others besides--can work together in the process of forming us into the image of Christ. Video is supplemental, not central, to our discipleship. And I think that's what Bell's getting at. As with anything else, we ought to be thoughtful in how we use a medium to share the gospel; and we also ought to temper our expectations of the results of such a use. Video preaching isn't going to save the world, but it can help.

"not sure you guys are getting the reference... not that it will make you happier, but still."

yea well I'm not really unhappy, and not necessarily agreeing with Tim there who posted after me. Just saying, "Most interesting in the world." Just saying really? Wow that's big.

@Melody:

Hear, hear!

Spot on.

I think I got it.

"Stay thirsty, my friends"

Excellent interview with Rob Bell - I went and read the whole thing. I think he offers some excellent thoughts on thinking through as church leaders how to help create an atmosphere, rhythm and expectations etc. for the pastor to "Thrive" and not just "survive"

On the comment above about Rob Bell being a false teacher .... I have probably listened to 40-50 of his sermons from Mars Hill and this kind of criticism just makes me sad. His teaching is solid, biblical and Christ centered. He clearly proclaims and celebrates the saving work of Christ on the Cross.

Keep up the good work Rob!

I wish I was a trendy hipster so that I could have an impact for Christ in this world, but I guess since I am just an ordinary masculine guy, I guess I don't have a shot.

"This is just a church service. Church is actually about caring for one another, and serving one another, and speaking truth to one another in love. Don't get the two confused."

That holds water.

Dangers of video preaching?

I am "playing with fire" more by shutting my eyes FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK to Jesus Christ's warning:

"Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me...I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." (Matthew 25:41-43, 45)

Just as I am "playing with fire" more with my deeds "outside the church," so too I am "playing with fire" more with the 90% SURPLUS IN MY TREASURY (net of the 10% tithing to the church) that ought to foot the bill in my preaching the good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, restoring sight for the blind, releasing the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61:1-2).

Who's afraid of video preaching?

I'm glad Mark spoke up. I'm joining the conversation very late, but since I found this link it means others will to, so I think the discussion is still relevant.

"nate"'s comment is the kind I hear a lot from people who haven't actually bothered to listen to Rob preach. I mean, wow, if there's one thing I have grown to love about Rob's perspective it's that everything he talks about is centered on being more Christ-like. How people can listen to him and think he's not Gospel-oriented is stupefying. His Dust of the Rabbi sermon was one of the most insightful sermons I've ever heard, and it's entirely based on Jesus calling his disciples (this story is found in the GOSPEL).

If Rob doesn't think we need to be out banging on doors or traveling to Africa to convert people (I don't know if this is his position or not, I'm simply going off of Nate's post), then maybe that's because a lot of us have plenty of work to do in practicing our faith before we try to tell other people to practice it, too.

In the end, I believe, and I think Rob does too, that our ACTIONs and behavior as Christians can and should do far more to convert others than our preaching and attempts to "save" non-Christians will.

Sorry, it was Barbara's post, not Nate's, that I was answering. Misread the thread format.