Insulting the Word
 
     We oppose using recreational programs to attract people to Christ because such tactics are an insult to the Word of God and the blood of Christ.  Resorting to gimmicks infers that the sacrifice of Christ alone is not appealing enough.  Resorting to gimmicks suggests a lack of confidence in the Gospel.  Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16).  If people must first be lured in with the promise of entertainment, and then subtly exposed to the Gospel, then something is wrong.  The saving blood of Christ should be our leading message, our middle message, and our ending message.  The blood of Christ does not need recreational programs to prop it up.  If the only way we can keep people around to hear about the saving blood of Christ is to promise them some sort of recreational treat, then we need to reconsider the example of Christ in John 6.  Perhaps, we need to reconsider where we are casting our pearls (Matt. 7:6).  We need to learn how to let materially minded people go their own way.  This may seem harsh, but it is consistent with the example of Christ.
 
Yes, But...
   
     We realize that many people will reject the preceding arguments.  After all, recreation is a significant part of modern religion for many people.  Therefore, providers of recreational programs advance a variety of arguments to defend their programs.  Let’s look into some of these arguments. 

 
Sowing the Seed with Sports
 
     Perhaps the most popular defense is to argue that recreational programs are evangelistic tools.  This line of thought usually claims that if recreational programs can be used to induce someone into hearing the Gospel, then the teaching opportunity justifies the program.  Let’s look into this argument.
      First, people who use recreation to attract an audience are not following in the steps of Jesus (see John 6).  He could have kept the crowds with Him for many days by simply giving them the food they desired, but He refused.  If He had kept them around longer they might have begun to understand His message and been converted, but Jesus did not see it that way.  He refused to use food to keep an audience. 
     Next, consider the simple fact that recreation is not a teaching method.  Claiming that recreation is a prime teaching tool does not prove that it is.  If recreation is truly a teaching tool, then the World Series and the Super Bowl are two of the largest teaching events ever.  Who would believe such a thing?  While a mention of Jesus might be tacked on to a recreational program, the primary focus is still on recreation. 
     Recreational programs do not carry the Gospel out into our communities.  Recreation does not fight the good fight, nor press the battle on to the camp of the enemy.  For the most part, recreation is little more than gathering together in the safety of a church facility and hiding from the evils that lurk about in our communities.  Recreation may make people feel like they are doing something for Jesus, but it’s not the evangelistic tool that many would like to believe it is.
     Finally, we ask, if recreation is primarily a teaching tool, where do we draw the line?  What about adding other activities to the work of the church in the name of teaching?  Maybe a gardening program, or a course on bass fishing, or a course on auto mechanics.  The variety of programs that a church could take up is almost endless.   Where will man draw the line and say enough is enough?  Unfortunately, man won’t draw the line.  Man keeps erasing and redrawing the line to accommodate an ever-growing appetite for bigger programs.
     We believe that the line should be drawn where Paul drew the line ( I Cor. 11:34).  We have taken recreation out of the congregation and left it in the realm of the home.  We follow Christ’s example and use only  the pure word of God to attract people.  If the Gospel does not have enough appeal for some people, then we won’t attempt to sweeten the pot. Rather we will let them go their own way just as Jesus did.

 
Ministering to the Whole Man
 
     Some defend modern recreational programs by claiming that they are “ministering” to the whole man.  Some will go so far as to claim that it is the duty of a congregation to “minister” to the whole man by providing recreational programs.  This might sound noble at first, but it is not in step with the Scriptures. 
     First, this argument overlooks the fact that Jesus refused to “minister” to the whole man in this recreational manner (John 6).
     Second, this argument overlooks the fact that Paul said that such “ministering” belongs in the realm of the home, not the church (I Cor. 11:34).  Paul even placed the ministry of benevolence primarily upon the home (I Tim. 5:16).
     Third, this argument overlooks the fact that man is not to add to or take away from the Bible (Rev. 22:18,19).  Yet, this argument adds a “ministry” to the church that God has not authorized.  Just because someone refers to something as a “ministry” does not automatically make it an approved work for the church.
    Fourth, the advocates of this argument also add a whole new meaning to the word “ministry.”  The Bible never speaks of the “ministry” of recreation.  The mission of the church is primarily spiritual with some limited benevolence, but nowhere is the church authorized to add a “ministry” of entertainment and recreation to its work.
     Fifth, this argument involves a congregation in the sinful practice of misappropriating funds (see page 5).

 
It is Just an Another Method
    
     Some people defend modern recreational programs by saying that such programs are just another method for churches to do their work.  Let’s take a moment to consider when something is merely an approved alternate method, and when something is actually an illegal change that goes beyond what we are authorized to do.
     First, for recreational programs to be an alternate method for a congregation to use, such programs must fulfill a work God has assigned.  So, we ask, what work has God assigned which recreation fulfills?  Or, what work did God assign that a game of softball fulfills?  The answer is none. God has not assigned any work that recreation is key to fulfilling.  Recreational events are not merely an alternate method, they are separate events that God did not authorize.  Recreation itself accomplishes nothing which has been assigned by God.
     Some people think that if they have a prayer or a brief devotion before or after a recreational event, then the recreation becomes a valid teaching tool.  While the devotional message might be a good message, the fact remains that the recreation itself is not a teaching tool.  The recreation is a separate thing that could easily take place without any prayer or devotion at all.  The little mention that Jesus gets before or after the recreation is secondary to the primary event of the recreation. 
     Second, there is the matter of expediency and good stewardship.  A congregation’s primary mission is to sow the seed.  Every available option is not always expedient and responsible.  Some programs are wrong just because they are wasteful.  Spending the Lord’s money (which is usually in short supply) on recreational programs is a clear example of poor stewardship.  Sure, people are having fun and feeling good, but how much do these programs really connect with lost souls?  The sad truth is that recreational programs primarily benefit the local members and make them feel as though they are doing the Lord’s work, when in reality the Lord’s work is left undone.  
     Third, if tacking a comment about Jesus and His sacrifice on Calvary magically makes games and parties a proper work for a church, then almost every activity one can think of becomes an authorized work.  Who would believe such a thing? 

 
Do Good unto All Men
 
     Some people justify their modern recreational programs by appealing to Galatians 6:10.  In this verse Paul teaches, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”   Advocates of recreational programs argue that since we are to do good unto all people, and since games and parties are good, congregations are therefore authorized to provide recreational programs. 
     If man is allowed to define “good” to suit himself, this is a solid argument.  Furthermore, just about anything that man decides is “good” is automatically authorized.  Obviously, this leads to more problems than it solves.  Just because man labels something as “good” does not prove that God agrees.  In II Timothy 3:16,17 we are told that the Scriptures equip us, “...for every good work.”  Before we can truly say that a work is “good,”  we must first find the Scriptures that say it is “good.”  Also, remember that Galations 6:10 is speaking not to the church, but to individual Christians.  There are things that individuals can do that the church cannot do.

 
But It’s Edifying
 
      Some justify recreational programs by saying that recreation edifies the members.  This argument uses the word “edify” in a way that is not found in the Scriptures.  The Bible does not use the word “edify” to refer to playing games and having parties.  When the Bible speaks of edification, it speaks of teaching.  Paul spoke of edification saying, “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.  I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification” (I Cor. 14:3-5).
      Also consider the fact that recreation does not promote spiritual growth.  If recreation promotes spiritual growth, then the sports stars of our day should be great examples of spirituality, but sadly, they are often anything but spiritual role models.  If recreation promotes spiritual growth then our nation should be a great spiritual nation because of the tremendous amount of time and money spent on recreational activities nationwide, but sadly, our nation is not a great example of spirituality.  The fact is that recreation does not promote spiritual growth.  While a little talk about Jesus may take place in the same location as recreational activities, Jesus is not the primary focus.  Rather He is demoted to a secondary consideration tacked on to justify playing games in the name of Christ. 

 
If the Individual Can, then the Congregation Can
 
     Some people attempt to defend recreational programs by arguing that if an individual Christian can do it privately, then it can be added to the work of the local congregation.  Let’s look into this argument for a moment.
     First, this argument fails to take into account the distinction that the Bible draws between the individual and the congregation.  The Bible makes this distinction in I Corinthians 11, when Paul teaches that if anyone is hungry he should eat at home.  Here we see that what could be done at home was not allowable as a work of the church.  In I Timothy 5:16 we saw that benevolence was the primary responsibility of the individual and that the church was not to be burdened with certain benevolent needs.  Once again we see that what was proper for the individual was not proper for the church.
     Second, very few people will consistently stand by this argument.  Most people easily see that if everything an individual can do is a proper work for the church, there is nothing that the church cannot take on as a work.  Who would really believe such a thing?  Fortunately, not very many people do.  Even the people who use this argument to justify recreational programs realize that it is a faulty argument.  Unfortunately, they prefer to embrace their faulty argument rather than to give up their church-sponsored recreation.

 
But It Doesn’t Say that You Can’t
 
     It is true that the New Testament does not specifically state Thou shall not add recreational programs to the work of the church.  But, the New Testament does specifically state that we are not to add to or take away from the Word.  The Bible is undeniably clear on this point.      Paul wrote, “Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it” (Galatians 3:15).       John wrote, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18,19). 
     The absence of a specific prohibition against recreational programs does not automatically authorize recreation.  God has told us what He desires.  Our duty is to respect His will without assuming that He also desires other things in addition to what He said. 
     Those people who insist that a specific prohibition must be given    before something is wrong turn the Bible into an impossible monstrosity.  Can you imagine how many volumes it would take to specifically list everything that is allowed and everything that is not allowed?
   Can you imagine the depth of detail that would be required to assure that someone did not presume to find a loophole?  Fortunately, God did not pursue such an overwhelming course.  He simply told us what He wanted and then told us not to add to or take away from His word.
     Next, consider that if everything that is not specifically forbidden is allowable, then Galatians 3:15 and Revelation 22:18,19 are virtually meaningless.  Let’s consider the Lord’s Supper as an example.  It is observed using unleavened bread and grape juice.  This is our practice as taught in Matthew 26:26-30.  There is never a specific statement in the Bible that says we can’t use something else in the Lord’s Supper.  There is not a prohibition against using cookies and soda pop or burgers and fries in the Lord’s Supper.  According to the But It Doesn’t Say That You Can’t argument we must conclude that such changes are acceptable because there is no verse that specifically states Thou shalt not change the Lord’s Supper.  Once this way of thinking is accepted, the door is open to almost  any change that men desire, and Revelation 22:18,19 and Galatians 3:15 mean nothing.  Most people will reject the But It Doesn’t Say That You Can’t  argument in connection with the Lord’s Supper and other changes that they don’t approve of, but they will turn around and accept it as their authority for adding recreational programs to the work of the church.

 
The Fellowship Argument
 
     Modern man uses the word “fellowship” to describe any enjoyable gathering of people.  When the Bible uses the word fellowship, it refers to things far more serious than having a party and playing games.  Consider the following example from John, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk I the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:6,7).  When the Bible speaks of fellowship, it speaks of a spiritual partnership that we have with Christ and one another.  We must not allow man to redefine Bible words and thereby justify error and unauthorized practices.  Our duty is to understand and use Bible words in the way God intended. 

 
Gospel Meetings are Just a Gimmick     
 
     Some people defend their recreational programs by claiming that gospel meetings, lectureships, Vacation Bible School, and debates are all just gimmicks, too.  This is the old two wrongs make a right approach.  Their thinking is that if we can sin by holding a gospel meeting, then we have no right to condemn their sin of recreational programs.
     First, understand that these things are not recreational events.  These things are exclusively teaching arrangements.  We do not use any trickery or gimmickry to lure people into these teaching arrangements.  We offer no door prizes, no coffee, no sweets, no refreshments, no prize coupons taped under seat cushions, nor any other incentive other than the opportunity to learn about the Bible.  For someone to claim that such teaching opportunities are mere gimmicks and equivalent to modern recreational program is blatantly dishonest and misleading.  Tragically, people who follow such dishonest preachers and leaders will suffer eternal ruin (Matt. 15:14).

 
The Love Feast of Jude 12
 
     Some people claim that Jude 12 authorizes recreational programs.  The problem is that we are not certain what was being practiced in Jude 12.  Different people have different ideas.  Some think it was just a
picnic, others think it was a church sponsored meal, some think it was a meal for needy Christians, and some think that it was the Lord’s Supper (see Barnes Notes on the New Testament for more information).  When we take I Corinthians 11:34 and I Timothy 5:16 into consideration we can easily see that Jude 12 does not contradict these verses and now authorize recreational programs.  In fact, Jude 12 condemns the self serving attitude that recreational programs tend to accommodate.