Ray Ciervo Ministries

With some concern I’ve watched the attention to Miley Cyrus. As a fan of her father, Billy Ray, I thought this was worth the watch. Admittedly, I’ve never watched Disney’s hit TV show, Hannah Montana. For those who don’t know, this is the show that catapulted Miley to stardom and made her a teen phenomenon. So my concern grew a bit when some very suggestive photos appeared of the fifteen year-old star.

The day the photos appeared on the morning news show Miley had already made apologies and confessed she was embarrassed. I have to believe her. Why would she allow the photos to appear if she knew the backlash she would receive? This would be a stupid publicity stunt. Parents of young girls were the most outraged, after all they’re looking for role models, and Miley has accepted that position. She’s not just admired, but worshiped. The news has reported tickets to her musical appearances have sold for thousands. This photo op could be a disaster.

There are a few things that arise from this episode of “good girls doing the wrong thing.” After Jamie Lee Spears, Britney’s sister, became pregnant, it looked like Miley was the only hope for a role model. Now, these distasteful photos. As a grandparent of four granddaughters I’m troubled by the attachment to these personalities. But, this reminds me of why I have distaste for entertainment. It becomes more than entertainment. It is an influence on our lives or one’s we love. No, it has become more than entertainment - it is a focal point where people get their identity from by clinging to “idols.”

Entertainment becomes a focal point of life because of at least two reasons. We’re bombarded with it 24/7. You can hardly exist in this culture without turning the TV on. Now TV can be watched on your phone or PDA, not to mention the computer. It’s everywhere. Many times it gives instant gratification, makes us feel good.

This speaks to our bankrupt societal mores. We worship just about anything that pleases us, makes us feel good, and attempts to tell us we have some kind of connection. In the case of young people aspiring for a fulfilling life it gives them a point of identity. If there were ever a time for the church to demonstrate the reality of Jesus, this is it.

But the church is not positioned to reach the culture. The church continually takes steps to secure its survival. It adapts to the culture so it becomes indistinguishable from culture itself. It loses the power of its message because it compromises the call of Christ to repentance and faith offering a comfortable place for people looking to stroke their feelings, feel accepted, and make friends.

From postmodern expressions of cultural accommodation to mega church appeal of a Hollywood/Broadway Sunday service with something for everyone. And the church gets creative to do this. Even when these are “successful” they are survival-minded and not mission-minded.

A mission-minded church is a church that first of all understands that worship is a sacrifice. Mission is intrinsically involved in the sacrifice of Christ. The Catholic Church understands this in theory, at least. Jesus poured out his life as a sacrifice which was the supreme act of worship; He offered all. Curiously, the [Evangelical] church sees the worship service as a “feel good” time for God to touch us. In fact, the idea of sacrifice is scarce among professing Christians.

It’s curious that a religious faith based on sacrifice rarely mentions it. Barely illustrates it. “Well, people don’t want to hear it.” I’m told. Well, go find some who do want to hear it.

Our culture provides unique challenges to the message of the gospel and the mission of the church. Challenges aren’t a bad thing, but actually can help the church find its course and walk in stride with Jesus. Answers or solutions to these challenges are found in the Scripture and these answers must be Bible-based. The power must be Spirit-driven. But, this requires sacrifice, humility, and faith. This requires a “no-compromise” stance and a “want-to” attitude.

The challenges of culture are supported by the 24/7 media that bombards our senses, captures our imagination, and subdues our will. We lay submitted under blade of the “age of entertainment.”

Only a determined heart and mind will turn its attention to the One who speaks from an eternal throne to capture our hearts and souls for the glory of His Father. The church must awake from its slumber to rise up in an attitude of sacrifice and worship. This alone will produce a mission-minded church whose identity is found in the One it worships.