Church scare tactics?
I had the unfortunate opportunity to be in attendance at a funeral yesterday. My mother’s fiance’s mom passed away. She was a great lady and she will be missed.
I did want to take some time, though, to talk a little bit about what happened at the funeral. Specifically… I’d like to just share some of my thoughts on what I perceived as the minister’s scare tactics.
Now, I grew up Baptist and I am now taking a slow course toward converting to Episcopalian. Since I was in the Baptist church for so long and I still consider myself to be Baptist in some small way (maybe I should use the term “Baptipalian”?) I can completely understand the idea and belief of never missing an opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ with another human being. As important as salvation and eternal life is, I am fully aware that it does indeed become an obligation for a minister to “preach the Gospel” at a funeral, at least in some small way.
I do have reservations, though, with ministers who go above and beyond the point of just sharing the Gospel. Some preachers (see… I am still Baptist, kind of… I said “preacher”, lol) use funerals as a way to scare people into salvation. They play on people’s fears, saddness and the overall situation of another person’s loss in order to push someone into proclaiming belief in Christ.
Using such theological promises as “If you call on His name, you will one day see your loved in Heaven with Christ,” ministers use fear and terror to invoke feelings of a need for salvation.
Honestly, I just think there is a better way. Instead of going on and on about how you will meet your loved one again if you believe (with the obvious flip side being that if you don’t believe you will go to Hell), why don’t ministers just preach the Gospel. Give the Biblical verses pertaining to salvation, mention once or twice how they will see their dearly departed mother/father/son/daughter/sister/brother/etc/etc again and then have a prayer. There is no need for some long, drawn out monologue framed on fear and suffering.
But… like I said just my thoughts and opinions. As stubborn as Baptists can be (including myself), I doubt this blog post will change anything.
About the Author: Matt
5 Responses to “Church scare tactics?”
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (john 14:1-3)
That’s my favorite Scripture to hear at a funeral, and the one that I hope will be preached at mine someday. “That you also may be where I am.” Oh my gosh, that is SO COOL. BEING WITH JESUS!! That’s what it’s all about. No fear. Just love. I could live on that passage forever.
I’m always wary of using fear to drive people to Jesus. The Word says that “…God’s kindness leads you toward repentance…” (Romans 2:4) The people that I know who came to Christ because they were scared of hell have either fallen away or have had a later experience of the love of Christ which really opened their eyes and caused a deep commitment to Him.
Good luck with the Baptipalianism. I’m a former Baptist, now just plain Christian, myself. But I’m telling you, you never really get all the Baptist out. I still love covered dish dinners, for instance. And hugs.
Peace, CM
By Cara Michele on Feb 19, 2006
I don’t like that method either Matt. I am sure it speaks to some, but I cringe when it happens like that. Good post.
By Chip Atkinson on Feb 19, 2006
I agree with you Matt. I grew up and lived most of my adult life in a Independent Baptist Church. The preacher of that church used to do the same thing at funerals. At some level it has always bothered me too.
Carla stated that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance…” (Romans 2:4). However, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 1:7).
But is a funeral the proper place to draw on that fear.
Funerals are for the living, specifically, the family. That should be the focus of the service. If the family desires a service that is inherently based in salvation principles, then who am I to disagree.
By DJ on Jul 26, 2006
Thanks DJ. I don’t know what the family had planned. I just know that in all my experiences of attending funerals (specifically Baptist or “country” funerals), the message tends to be one of fear.
For one, my Will is going to specifically state how I want my funeral planned. Messages of salvation are fine by me, but they shouldn’t be based on fear and scare tactics. There will be no fear and scare tactics used at my funeral.
By Matt on Jul 26, 2006