New Style-Same Spirit

Did you know that the church is losing an entire generation. Those between the ages of 19-30 to be specific. Now many churches have changed how they do things, by having a more contemporary style of worship. The music is model, upbeat, and non-traditional. The pastor is no longer the Senior Pastor but is now the Lead Pastor, and he has traded his suit and tie for bluejeans and a t-shirt. Now don't get me wrong i have nothing against any of these if it is reaching the lost for Jesus, but the problem is that even in the new style church we are losing a generation, just a different generation.
What if a church could be as Paul said "all things to all men"? What if we could reach every generation? If we could do church in such a way that it would reach across generational lines? What if we could reach "church people" and "non-Church people"? Well maybe there is a way that we can.
Here at the church we are beginning something brand new. You see I do believe that it is time that the church try new things to reach the unchurched people in our community. So starting June 14th on a Saturday night we are going to have what we call a Revolution Service. Yes we are going to have Christian Rock music to worship to, blue jeans and t-shirts will be the main attire, and we will be using more media than ever before. Our goal is to create a church experience for people that don't like church. In doing this we believe that we can draw a generation of people that would never come to church any other way.
At the same time we are not going to just change everything we do, just so we can say we changed. Sunday morning we have a somewhat contemporary style worship and that service will remain intact for our growing congregation. You see I truly believe that a church should be a place where everyone is being reached with the gospel. I ask that you pray as we step out on faith to add this service to our weekend experience.

What does the True Church Look Like?

For the last several months I have been asking myself the question, What does the true Church suppose to look like? What is it that God see when He see the true Church? I have been sharing with my Wednesday night small group some of the discovery that I have had. Thoughts such as:
(1) The True Church is about being a Contributor not a Consumer.
In this Consumer driven society that we live in we find where many people have come with that same attitude to the church. They want to know what the church can do for them. What does the church have to offer me and my family? What can I expect from the church? If I become a member then what do I get in return? Sometimes I wonder if the church should advertise free toaster oven for every new member. I mean when the church become about us. I understand this if someone is not a follower of Christ. We want them to consume what we have because they need Jesus but for those that claim to have a relationship with Him there is something wrong. The church does exist for us but rather we exist for the world that needs Jesus. As members of the church we should be looking to contribute to the welfare of this world by sharing Jesus no matter what the cost.
(2) I has discovered that the church is a dangerous place. The message and presence of Jesus is the most dangerous that the status quo can run into. Because in the presence of Jesus there must be change. When confronted with the message of Jesus there is a call for change. The church is suppose to be a place where people are changing, and being transformed into the image of Christ. The church is not suppose to be a safe place where when you step in it is as if you have walked into a time warp and are back 50 ago. It is a place where change is happening and where people are maturing and growing in Christ everyday.
(3) The Church is suppose to be place of life and death. A place where Jesus is alive in everything that we do and the flesh is dying. A place where it is so important that everybody is happy but that Jesus is happy. A place that is not controlled by the will of men but the will of God. A place that is ruled by faith, where love is the answer, and where mercy is freely given. A place where people can always find the truth even when the truth is not popular. A place where Jesus is being lifted up in everything that is done.

These are the things I have discovered about the true church. There are more but time does not allow me to discuss them all.