Not Gonna Happen

Here's the latest trend making its way into church growth circles.  According to the "Cuddle Party" website,

"a Cuddle Party Is:  A structured, safe workshop on boundaries, communication, intimacy and affection. A drug and alcohol-free way to meet fascinating people in a relaxing environment. A laboratory where you can experiment with what makes you feel safe and feel good. This playful, fun workshop has been a place for people to rediscover non-sexual touch and affection, a space to reframe assumptions about men and women, and a great networking event to meet new friends, roommates, business partners and significant others" (http://www.cuddleparty.com/).

Will Reformed or Presbyterian churches be tempted to try this?  Somehow, I can't see this having any attraction for German or Dutch churches.  Someone would break wind almost immediately and ruin the whole mood before the "cuddle party" even got going.  The Young Reformed won't go for this either--too weird, too lame.  Not enough good order (and certainly not enough decency) for Presbyterians.  Besides, the whole thing is just plain creepy . . . 

But then I'm a German and am certain that when Paul says greet one another with a kiss, he really means a handshake.

Comments

[DB]

I can't really see Luther holding a cuddle party in Wartburg Castle, or at the Diet of Worms., and I can't really see Calvin joining in one with the city council of Geneva, just as they were on the eve of asking him to leave.

When Jesus say, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (Jn. 12:32), I don't think he had a cuddle party in mind.

Apparently church growth (in some circles) is about anything except Word and Sacrament.

[Stan McCullars]

Are you serious that it's <i>making its way into church growth circles</i>?

[Philip Walker]

To meet "new … significant others"? Isn't there something in the Bible about that?

[Alan Kurschner]

Are cigars allowed?

[Matt Holst]

The picture looks eerily like an older man cuddling with children. That is wrong in so many ways.

Who in the world came up with this?

[presbyterian_keith]

No cigars just lots of sauerkraut and baked beans.

[Ron Suarez]

WOW, that news piece was almost too painful to watch! No thanks.

[Matt Holst]

Was this endorsed by the late Michael Jackson?

[Lloyd Cadle]

Neither Lutherans or the Reformed are into hugging -- only their spouses!

[David C]

That is ..... gay!

[Chris Sherman]

Sounds like something from Leo Buscaglia.

"a place for people to rediscover non-sexual touch and affection" I was wondering what happened to non-sexual touch and affection,

"a space to reframe assumptions about men and women" What does that mean? Thanks, but I like my assumptions framed just like they are.

Just give me a good book, and I'll go cuddle.

[hb]

Cuddle, schmuddle! Are you sure this isn't about a Toga party???
Unbelievable. You really hit your stride with your comments. I'm still laughing!

[Charles S]

I remember a scene like this during my pre Christian days in college. It was the living room floor the morning after an all night kegger party.

[dsanger]

David C. given their statement "a space to reframe assumptions about men and women" it probably IS gay derived.

[Jason]

Might this be how Fred Phelps' "church" got started? :-)

[beon]

Can the adults cuddle with everyone else's kids? If so, I've got an uncle Charlie that will join your church, and an italian cousin, Bernardo, whose devoted his life to riding crowded busses.

[Coyle]

You can probably count us Baptists out too- "cuddling" might lead to "dancing"... :)

[David Kjos]

Speaking for Norwegian Lutherans: "Nei, nei, nei!"

[DB]

Hate to post again but... I tried going to that cuddle site on my office computer, but the firewall wouldn't let me because it said it was an "adult site" hmmm.

When I first saw the picture I too was disturbed by it. It reminded me of something.... All that trouble the "king of pop" was in back in the 90's! Isn't that what he was doing? (Who knew! he was ahead of this time.)

[Michael]

Is this satire or for real?