Image via WikipediaJonathan Leeman talks of the problems with the problems of starting a "gimmick" church, one made just to appeal to a small, unreached part of the community.  In this case, he's responding to being asked by someone about starting a "biker church."  He says that gimmicky churches can grow and grow fast.  The problem is that they tend not to be spiritually very deep.  They can miss out on Jesus and God's Word as they try to make the quick appeal.  Even here in Girdwood we have to be careful with this.  Here's the best part of his comment, I think.

I look around evangelical America and see well-meaning people drift in and out of churches, attracted by one well-meaning church leader after another. They remind me of Paul’s words about spiritual infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. I trust you see this, too.

It doesn’t have to be like this. We could have healthy churches, churches filled with new converts and old saints, motorcyclists and motor-homers alike. These churches might not grow as quickly, but they will grow for the long-haul, like redwoods not rosebushes. Which would you prefer—a bush that blooms tomorrow and wilts the next day, or the majesty that rises skyward over a generation? Take your pick.