I Want Something Different
In THIS recent article and latest survey from the Barna Research Group, they are declaring that most people are ready AND looking a different kind of church experience. They are “tired of the typical church experience.”
To me this brings up several questions…..
- What is the “typical church experience”?
- What is the future of the church experience?
- If people are tired of the “typical”, what does the non-typical look like?
I think these are healthy questions to answer, discuss and brainstorm. I’ve heard a lot of people argue now that the current church experience most churches offer are the “new traditional” experience. What was once defined by choirs, hymnals, a pulpit and call to worship has been replaced by a band, projectors and table or music stand. To that I would agree for the most part. However, every church has a different kind of culture it fosters making it somewhat different.
So where do we go from here? We obviously need to change and adapt to changing culture. So what does that look like? How can we continue to reach people in this ever changing culture?
I wish I had more answers, but for now, just lots of questions. What says you?
Posted on July 2, 2009, in churches, leadership. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
My husband and I are firm Christ followers. We are involved in jail ministry each week and also a small group from our former building (church).
We left our former church (of almost 6 years) because we felt that God was not taking us in the direction that that building was going.
Now we are in a place of…I am not sure what exactly.
We feel that the church is the people of God. Not a building. We feel that the church (the people)should be doing what God commanded us in the Bible. Should not be focused on numbers, buildings, getting more tithe to purchase more property. The church should be focused on feeding the hungry, helping the poor, the widows, the children, the hurting people in our community.
Sadly, what we have found is that there are few churches that are doing that. Therefore, we aren't going to a building right now. We are serving God and we do gather with other believers.
Everyone asks us "where are you going to church" "come to church with me". However, very few truly understand that WE are the church. Not a building. Even fewer understand that it isn't about attending a service on Sunday and if you aren't serving God it isn't much use to sit in a pew on Sunday and say you love Him when you are doing nothing for him.
What now??
Those are great points and I actually agree. I could care less about a building. Our church (The Ridge) may never have a building and to be honest, I'd rather keep it that way. We are committed to being a portable church because we can use that money that would need to go to a building up keep on things like serving our community. Too many times the church has put things in this order…1)Ourselves 2) Our building 3) God
We want to change that, and for us, I can say that is the case. God is first, our COMMUNITY (our neighbor) is next and ourselves end up somewhere way down the list.
I would say that yes, WE are the church. It has nothing to do with a building, or even a worship experience. However, there is something powerful that can happen when a "church" with a burning vision to truly make an impact on a community and world partner with people who want to see the same. Meeting together with other believers and uniting under one vision to reach a world can be a very powerful partnership that is God honoring.
When we started our church, I had our core team read a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I think you would love it and encourage you to read it. A lot of our core values were birthed after reading this book. It truly is all about putting Christ before ourselves, our buildings, and our stats.
Crazy Love is an excellent book. I have recommended it to so many people. I actually got the book from your service. I was very taken back that you provided the book to those who wanted it. In addition to a Bible to anyone who needed one.
Thank you for your comment back.
We have visited The Ridge once and will probably be back to visit again while we are on this journey of trying to figure out Gods plan and direction.
Excellent! We like to provide something different for people that will have an effect on them. Crazy Love and the Bible are a good start!
I look forward to seeing you back at the Ridge soon! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help in your journey!
“We are committed to being a portable church because we can use that money that would need to go to a building up keep on things like serving our community.”
This is one of the main reasons I am showing up every Sunday morning!