Is the Holy Spirit sufficient to attract people to the church?
In recent times, many Christian churches have begun to adopt modern strategies with the aim of attracting more people to their congregations. While it is understandable that churches seek creative ways to connect with new generations, it is also important to reflect on the limits and the spiritual focus that must be maintained. The mission of the church has never been merely to fill seats, but to make disciples whose lives are transformed by the truth of the Gospel.
A recent example is the megachurch located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, which has approximately 85,000 members. This congregation, under the leadership of Pastor Craig Groeschel, has launched an evangelistic campaign based on the popular universe of Super Mario World, using visual elements and references from the world of anime and video games to capture the attention of both adults and children. The images shared on social media clearly show themed stages, costumes, and decorations inspired by this iconic game.
Although this strategy seeks to be culturally relevant, a key question arises: Is the church depending more on entertainment tools than on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit? This is not a minor concern, because what initially attracts people can also shape their expectations of what church life is meant to be.
The Bible teaches us that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). No anime, visual campaign, or human strategy can replace the deep work that the Holy Spirit does in the human heart. Genuine repentance, true faith, and lasting conversion are not the result of emotional excitement, but of the Spirit of God working through the preached Word.
It is essential to remember that the church is a sacred place, designed for worship, the teaching of the Word, and communion with God. Social or recreational activities may have their place in certain contexts, but they must not become the central focus of the message of salvation. When entertainment becomes dominant, there is a real risk that the message of the cross will be overshadowed or softened.
The balance between culture and truth
It is not about completely rejecting modern resources or contemporary communication tools. Throughout history, the church has always communicated the eternal message of Christ within different cultural contexts. The challenge is to maintain a healthy balance, where Christ remains the center and the message of salvation is not diluted among lights, screens, or passing trends.
Cultural references can serve as bridges, but they should never become substitutes for biblical teaching. When people come to church primarily for an experience similar to what they already find in movies, concerts, or video games, the church risks losing its distinctiveness. The power of the church does not lie in its creativity, but in its faithfulness to God.
The enemy is using all kinds of distractions to divert the church from its true purpose: preaching the Gospel with power, truth, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Therefore, now more than ever, the church must remain firm, discerning the times and returning to the biblical roots of its calling. This means trusting that God Himself draws people to repentance and faith.
Ultimately, the question each congregation must ask is not whether a strategy is popular, but whether it is faithful. Programs may attract crowds, but only the Holy Spirit builds the true Church. When Christ is exalted and the Word is faithfully proclaimed, God is fully able to bring men, women, and children to Himself without compromising the holiness of His house.
Images from Life.Church South Broken Arrow
