The Church and Chinese Farmers

Maybe the Church can learn something from Chinese farmers. According to a story from Reuters, the Chinese government is banning striptease acts from funerals.

The disrobing served a higher purpose, the report noted.

"Striptease used to be a common practice at funerals in Donghai's rural areas to allure viewers," it said. "Local villagers believe that the more people who attend the funeral, the more the dead person is honored."

In our "seeker friendly" frenzy, we haven’t thought of this approach. Strippers are sure to draw a crowd. And, hey, there are advantages here because everyone knows there are less men attending church than women, so this would certainly increase the number of men. And as well all know, a successful church is measured by its numbers, right? I mean, isn’t it the same thinking as the belief of the local villagers - the more people who attend, the more Christ is honored?

Okay, maybe it’s a bad idea. Forget I said anything.