I’ve been meaning to transcribe an excerpt from a recent message at my home church, Covenant Life (Gaithersburg, MD). Being in Louisville, perhaps, is why the excerpt from Dr Albert Mohler’s message came back to mind.
On May 4th Dr Mohler preached on The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23). He made these remarks at the beginning of the message:
“The crowd is so large that has been gathering over the course of this day that Jesus is required to do what a teacher must do and that is find some way to get distance from the crowd that is necessary to be seen and heard. In this case Jesus gets into a boat and goes slightly off shore in order that he might teach. The crowd is a very important factor to this passage.
The crowd is a matter of some question–some challenge, some perplexity–to us as well. Is has become clear that evangelical Christians in particular have a hard time understanding the nature of a crowd. We are tempted to think of a crowd as a great gathering of receptivity.
We understand that the crowd is gathering because something has been happening. We as evangelicals sometimes mistake a crowd for a church. It’s hard for us sometimes to understand what’s going on. Jesus helps to clarify this for his own disciples.”
–Albert Mohler, The Parable of the Sower, sermon at Covenant Life Church (Gaithersburg, MD) on May 4, 2008.
Tony Reinke 
Tony, Thanks — good food for thought.
Tony,
I tried to find a email for you but couldn’t. I would like you to pray about blogging “live” a conference that God has put together this year: http://www.revivalconference.com some of the speakers: Henry Blackaby, Paul Washer, Don Currin, Roger Ellsworth, etc.. Its in Alanta, GA, USA in October 2008. Send me a email when you have time..
Greg
Great insight from a staunch defender of expository preaching, Al Mohler. Thanks for the post Tony.
Tony,
Thanks for the post. I love the comment, “We as evangelicals sometimes mistake a crowd for a church.” Too true–numbers become everything at the cost of the gospel. The Beloved and the Bride become lost in the crowd.
Linda
Excellent post, I agree with the others. Makes me think of Hannah Montana for some strange reason: she sells out stadiums everywhere she goes. Good music (relatively speaking) and good show = record crowds. Jumbo video screens, catchy music, humor, and entertainment work just as well in the seeker sensitive church, sadly enough at the expense of the Gospel. We dare not criticize because we cannot agrue that if a church is “growing,” it HAS to be doing something RIGHT.