Leisure Options? Yikes!

Hate to be so negative again....

I just got my free publication showing leisure activities/classes available in my area, so I gave it a flip to check out the current prices for going swimming, skating, etc. To my surprise, or non-surprise I should say, this publication seemed more like a world religions 101 textbook than a leisure book designed to promote fitness and activity.

Reiki, Taosism, yoga, and Buddhism, and even a "history of Christianity" class. Hmm.... the "history of Christianity" class is taught by the same folks who host the sacred ground yoga, bellydancing, and meditation class that openly claims to be based on "Buddhist psychology". Plus, it is hosted by an Anglican church claiming to be an "arts and spirit centre" (?). Wowsers. I wonder what kind of "christianity" will be taught there?

And...I think it's fair to say that yoga has invaded my neck of the woods according to this "leisure" publication.

...chair yoga, aqua yoga, fitness yoga, bellydancing yoga, preschool childminding yoga, sacred ground yoga, specialty yoga, laughter yoga, dance yoga, yoga fusion, flow yoga, mom and baby yoga, abilities yoga, yoga and ballroom dance, yoga for men, yoga for runners, prenatal yoga, gentle yoga, and on and on it goes.

I kid you not, I did not even come close to listing all the yoga types or classes available in my area according to this little magazine I got in the mail just recently. Well I don't want to rewrite again what has already been written, so here are a few related posts about why yoga is not simply stretching and why Christians should not participate.

Here http://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/new-age/NA1101W1.htm

Good article and many relevant links here


Okay so here was a bit of a shocker found in this publication, although not much shocks me these days. An ad in the leisure publication invites those interested in taoism to sign up for classes and information....where?? at the church... just down the road from us. Huh??? Okay okay, so the church is of the apostate "united" kind and has even made the local news for its animal blessing services aka bring your pet to church day, so not too shocking after all. But still.

* A bit of a side note *

I find it somewhat interesting that the only protestant church hosting any of the leisure activities (that I noticed anyway-I only did just skim the thing) was my former church that we left about a year or so ago. No, no, it is not hosting yoga, bellydancing, or anything like that, thankfully. Just some "creative" playtimes (??), services for preschoolers and preschooler moms, and teen drop in times. Perhaps not too harmless. I am fairly sure from my previous attendance there that the intent behind these things is to draw people into the church in hopes of them becoming saved. Same reason they hosted a giant Grey Cup party one year, decorated the sanctuary, and projected the game onto the big projection screen (the party in the church made the local news). Same reason they host a Halloween party with the community association. By the grace of our God, some may very well end up hearing the gospel message this way, by making Christian friends who will share the Good News with them eventually. I just kinda sorta wish that churches would spend more time "equipping the sheep rather than entertaining the goats" as I heard once from someone. When the sheep get a watered down message at church, you can't really expect them to be able to present the clear gospel message to their friends.

Don't want to be too too critical, but I noticed with the decrease in biblical preaching and teaching came increased worldliness, decreased focus on eternity, almost zero prophecy teaching, watered down gospel message, increased marketing strategies and diagrams, and yes.... increased attendance (which does not necessarily mean an increase in believers). Just goes to prove that marketing strategies in the church do work...if you want to fill seats., that is.

Haven't been there since we left, and I know there are several biblically sound people there still. I hope and pray some are still hearing the gospel message and growing in godliness. But I keep hearing of more and more of those biblically sound people finding a different church who, after meeting with pastors and elders to discuss their concerns, are secretly labeled as divisive and legalistic. You stick around a little longer and maybe try talking to a few more people. But eventually you get the feeling that you are no longer welcome. Happened to us and has happened to many.

So, I know this was negative again. Next once will be more positive, I promise.