One of the latest "hot topics" among Southern Baptist Churches is centered around the constant tug of war in regards to the "style" of church. It's often referred to as "traditional vs. contemporary" or "the worship wars".
While it may be taking place in different forms, rest assured, every church is dealing with it in some degree. The whole issue centers around effective ministry. In other words, are we (the church of the 21st century) effective in how we are reaching lost people with the gospel. After all, is that not our main focus? The salvation of the lost? It should be. Jesus commanded it to be our main focus. Jesus didn't sit back in a building and wait for people to come to him. Our pastor, John Meador, is going to be preaching a series starting May 11 entitled "Generation X, Y, Z'. The series will be based out of Deuteronomy and will deal with how our past generations can effectively reach and teach our new generations Biblical principles of salvation, following Scripture, living for Christ, and how we can effectively (there's that word again) establish these important principles for future generations - my kids and grand kids. It will be a great series that will look at how Scripture is cross-generational and how we as parents and community leaders have the responsibility to take Biblical truth and teach it in a relevant style.
One of the failures of Christians in the past 20 years is that we have not changed our practices with the changing culture. Now hear me loud and clear: I am not saying that we should have changed our principles and convictions. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, was fully God and fully man, died on a cross for our sins, rose again three days afterwards, and ascended to heaven where he now sits at the right hand of God the father. I also believe that Scripture is "God-breathed", without error, and that every word is true. This is the foundational truths or our beliefs and they should NEVER waiver. Pastor Mark Driscoll in Seattle calls them the "cornerstones of our faith".
But, we (the church of Jesus Christ as a whole) have lost touch with society. Disagree with me? Look around... why are churches all over this country who ran thousands in the 70s and 80s now glorious empty cathedrals?
A recent article that I read in Church Solutions magazine reports that baptisms are down for the 3rd consecutive year across the board among protestant religions. Read magazines like Rolling Stone and an article in their latest edition about a reporter who went undercover at a "mega-church" in San Antonio to learn more about Christianity. This poor guy got it all wrong in his article, and the majority of the reason is the ridiculous nature in which that church preached, worshiped, acted, and misrepresented Scripture. Now the reporter was wrong to lump in all Christians into this one category, but the point still remains - we are not "getting it".
We have the greatest news in the world! You need hope? We have the answer. You need to break free from the bondage of addiction? We have the answer. You need help in your marriage? We have the answer. You need to find someone who will love you no matter what you have done? We have the answer. You need to find help in dealing and connecting with your kids? We have the answer. NO other religion can offer what Jesus Christ gives freely to those who seek it.
So why is it that we as the body of Christ - the church - spend the majority of our time bickering like spoiled little children about the volume of the music in our worship service, whether we get to sit in our predetermined church pew, our self-assigned parking space, whether the pastor should wear a suit or jeans on Sunday, the music leader's hair style, or whether or not our Sunday School/Bible Fellowship/Small Group/Connection Class/Care Group/or whatever you want to call it has brown painted walls or red painted walls??? Do you think Jesus is pleased or really cares about that garbage? Do you think when He was dying on the cross He was worried about whether the decibel level was going to be too loud in the worship service?
People all over the world are drinking in the false religions of Islam, Mormonism, and Oprah-ism and the one group of people that have the greatest news is too worried about their own petty and selfish desires rather than those outside the walls of the church who are literally dying without Christ. Congregations all over the country are spending too much time and effort crying about ridiculous things. They wonder why our churches are not growing in numbers and then blame the pastor and staff when the baptism waters are not stirring. Maybe the church should drink some Biblical coffee, wake up, and get back to being obedient to Christ's command to "GO make disciples"....
The good news is that there are churches who have "gotten it". They understand that we need to stay focused on reaching the lost. They understand that bickering over small things that have no importance, is merely a way that allows Satan into the door of the church. These are great churches and typically are the fastest growing congregations.
My high school coach was (and is) a pretty smart dude.
He once told me, "Bradley, if you want to be a good coach, then find the people who are winning and learn from them. Read about Dean Smith, Vince Lombardi, Joe Paterno, and John Wooden." That was good advice. I think it holds true in most circumstances. Maybe we should be listening to those places that are baptizing thousands instead of ridiculing them for their loud music, jean wearing, weird hair pastors and worship leaders. I don't know about you - but fire up that coffee pot and let's get to work!
