Seeker-Sensitive

Romans 3:9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.

9 Τί οὖν; προεχόμεθα; οὐ πάντως· προῃτιασάμεθα γὰρ Ἰουδαίους τε καὶ Ἕλληνας πάντας ὑφ᾽ ἁμαρτίαν εἶναι, 10  καθὼς γέγραπται ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν δίκαιος οὐδὲ εἷς, 11  οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ συνίων, οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὸν θεόν.

This is a very famous passage that is often quoted to show our need for the gospel.  I find it fascinating that Paul includes the Jews as well.  I understand that it is often difficult to witness to Jews because they do not see their need for salvation through Christ's sacrifice.  They see themselves as under the Abrahamic Covenant and therefore they do not need a savior.  Messiah will someday come to free them from their political bondage, but they do not need Him for their spiritual needs.  Paul contradicts this point right here.

He also makes a point against the term used to describe churches like mine.  He says that οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὸν θεόν.  The word ὁ ἐκζητῶν is an active participle.  What he is saying is that by nature we do not seek after God.  No one is actively looking for God unless that person has a regenerated heart.  Why not?  No one is righteous and no one understands.

It is good to have spiritual conversations with people.  It is good to witness.  In fact, it is vital to witness.  But it is also important to understand that we will never win anyone with concessions to what they seek.  They don't know what they are really looking for.  They really want God, but they aren't really seeking Him.  We must witness for sure, but we must first pray.  Conversion is a supernatural act.

I think my church does a pretty good job of walking the line with this.  I just think that the term "seeker-sensitive" is unfortunate because it is antibiblical.  I'd prefer words like "contemporary," "comfortable," "welcoming," or even "contemporvant" over seeker-sensitive.