30-Day Sex Challenge
I love when a church is willing to take a risk! Relevant Church from Tampa, Florida, has made some waves in the press today. It began with an article in the St. Petersburg Times which was then picked up by FoxNews.com.
Some quotes from the article...
- "An openly edgy Christian church is launching what they're calling a 30-Day Sex Challenge to help members improve their relationships and rediscover themselves."
- "Single folks are to abstain from sex for 30 days...Married folks, on the other hand, are supposed to have sex every day for 30 days."
- "Relevant Church leaders know the campaign may shock, even disgust, some people in and outside the church. But that was the idea. Create a buzz about a topic a lot of people don't like to talk about."
My congrats to Pastor Paul Wirth and the team at Relevant. You are tackling a cultural topic head-on that the Bible speaks to. You will take some hits (as did Jesus), but will have an opportunity to introduce many in your community to the relevancy of the Bible and a relationship with Christ.
Update 2/20/08: Story hits MSNBC with video report.
thanks for the props Tim we learned for the best GCC. Thanks for challenging pastors to step out of the box
Posted by: Paul Wirth | February 15, 2008 at 03:10 PM
That's it honey. Pack up the car, we're moving to Tampa.
Posted by: Chris | February 15, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I have been looking for a place to move to. lol. I feel that this is an extremely relevant topic and I am glad that churches are finally stepping out on it. It is the world that has turned sex into something dirty and to be kept behind closed doors. I think that the sacred union shared between a husband and wife is looked upon by God with absolute acceptance.
Posted by: Steve Mahnke | February 15, 2008 at 04:26 PM
I'm moving too... I can see the headlines now "Tampa's Relevant Church increases attendance twenty-fold overnight!"
Posted by: Rick Phillips | February 15, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Chris! That was classic!
Posted by: Clayton Bell | February 15, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Shouldn't they be teaching and encouraging single people to be abstaining from sex all the time, not just for 30 days.
Posted by: Bridget Pitney | February 16, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Relevant. Reminds me of a little book I read recently called "Pop Goes the Church."
I'd highly recommend it.
Posted by: Terrace Crawford | February 18, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Hey, I don't have to move to Tampa to take part in this challenge (although, the 2 degrees above zero here in Wisconsin is making that idea very tempting today!!)!!! But my husband and I will definitely be having this conversation. Tonight!!
And yes, single people should be abstaining, but the point is...they're not! This is a great starting point and a way to get them thinking about what their relationships should look like...
Posted by: Leanne | February 19, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Don't the Bible says the single man and woman should abstein until married? Then, there is no need to abstein for 30 days! I don't know all of this church fundamentals but this is definitively something I don't agree - hey just the single portios ok!. Something to watch out for!
Posted by: christian | February 19, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Bridget and Christian -- yes, the Bible teaches that people should abstain from sex until marriage. But I love this church's efforts to help people, mired in sin and bad choices, take baby steps toward obedience. Within that 30-day challenge, Paul will be teaching the Bible and helping give the singles the tools and help to make it a lasting decision.
Posted by: Tim Stevens | February 19, 2008 at 01:49 PM
how is this risky, or edgy, or progressive, or any of the other words that suggest this is exciting to non-xians? i was at relevant on sunday. it is the same message that conservative xians (in western cultures) have spewed for years: sex is for hetrosexual couples with a signed marriage certificate. i can't image many non-xian singles will think this is relevant. forget about reaching the gay community.
Posted by: brian | February 19, 2008 at 03:11 PM
There is wisdom in encouraging singles to abstain. Unfortunately, many do not. The reality is that when unmarried couples are being intimate their perceptions of their relationship are clouded by the very strong emotional and physiological bonds that occur when couples are sexually intimate. As society has proven, relationships established this way breakdown rather quickly and do not have a foundation for long lasting relationships. Having just celebrated our 20th. anniversary. My wife and I discovered the power of Paul's concept a couple of years ago. People often comment that we seem like newly weds. More power to Pastor Wirth for being on the edge enough to finally say what should have been said to married couples 20 years ago.
Posted by: Greg | February 20, 2008 at 06:49 AM
KUDOS to Relevant for this. I'm glad to hear the church is having some real conversations that are LONG overdue.
--
I know they are encouraging singles to abstain for 30 days. Are they hoping they'll decide against having sex again prior to marriage? or are they really teaching further about abstaining till marriage.
Posted by: Terrace Crawford | February 23, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Yes, Tim I understand that non-Christians (and some Christians) don't believe sex outside of marriage is wrong. But non-Christians also think it's ok to murder, steal, get drunk, and others. Are Christian churches going to stop telling their congregation that the Bible clearly says those things are wrong or are we too afraid of offending them?
Posted by: Bridget Pitney | March 04, 2008 at 08:40 AM