“But we’ve never done it that way before” said one congregant to the new young pastor. These are words of death to any church or movement
Change is inevitable and change almost always involves a paradox. As one thing falls away, something new is created to take its place. Just as our bodies change and develop as we get older so does everything else around us: our thoughts and emotions, our relationships, our finances, and our health. Change is a basic ingredient of life.
But with change comes uncertainty, an unpredictability and that disrupts our stability and alters our life Change requires us to behave or respond in a new and different way. Doing something different often makes us uncomfortable.
Change may (and often does) require having to give something up. So our initial reaction to change is to try and ignore it, avoid it, resist it, or stop it. Transitition is what we do when a change comes
If change involves letting go of one trapeze bar in order to grab hold of another, the space in between - where you're left hanging in that nowhere place - is called transition.
Change is the event; transition is the passage, the becoming. In marriage it’s the time you learn how to be with this person you have married. If there is the death of a spouse it’s the time you learn to live alone.Transition means coming to terms with the new environment in which you find yourself.
The challenge for the Jesus Freaks born and raised in a Christian influenced— modernistic society is how to transition the church and the gospel in to a culture that has changed.
For instance, in the 60’s and 70’s people were searching for answers. Many turned to spirituality but found the promises made by gurus, Baghwan’s, and ascended masters falling hopelessly short in their promise to put us in touch with “the light”. But Jesus who said, “I am the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by me” delivered on his promise and put us in contact with God. All we needed for a revival was to some how draw a crowd and preach the truth. People responded in droves.
But that doesn’t really work anymore. All are seekers but most don’t know it. What I mean by that is for the past 25 years, schools, clubs, even churches have spent millions of dollars, and expended countless amount of energy trying to build Brittany and Sean’s self esteem. The result is there is little awareness of sin and need for Christ. Sin is for bad people and “we are not bad people”.
On top of that, society has created a culture of no consequences. In the 60’s or 70’s if a student misbehaved in class the teacher collared him and escorted him to the principal’s office (something I am familiar with). There the child’s parents were called and the trouble maker sent home, or suspended. Today, a teacher cannot place a hand on a student, for fear of a lawsuit. If a he is somehow able to coerce the kid to the principal’s office and the parent’s called, usually (my wife is a teacher) the parent’s are livid at the school!
Many students understand all too well the power they have and some hold some teachers hostage with an accusation of sexual abuse. Immediately, that teacher will be placed on administrative leave and will have to prove himself innocent rather than the student prove the teacher guilty. It could mean his career.
I was talking to a High School teacher the other day about this issue of consequences. When he talks to kids about rules, or penalties, they almost always have a “What if” clause.
All that to say that culture has changed radically which creates for us a huge challenge to take the timeless truth of scripture and transition them into this next generation. It is a challenge that we have never faced before in a predominately Christian influenced culture. This will require, pioneer spirit, courage as the church birth in a Christian influenced culture and framed by modernist thinking will no doubt criticize, ostracize, and resist the change—screaming deception! Deception! Most of all the transition needs leaders. People who see clearly what is essential doctrinally, scripturally and cannot be negotiated in any culture, and what must go.
You and I both know that God is capable of defending His truth and does a better job of it than you or me, but oif we do not get on top this problem of transition soon, the Jesus Freaks could be the last Christian generation
12 comments:
These are valid points. But it is important to remember that a healthy body of believers will naturally transition to reach the lost when they are consistently "seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.." We will not be effective if we "conform to this world" but rather "be transformed by the renewing of our mind..." Movements come and go, but when we simply seek to know the heart of Christ and live our life to walk in His ways we can't help but be effective. Our confidence in His consistency, no matter what changes life brings, will be what draws the lost in these uncertain times.
anon
whether admitted by individuals or not the constant in a changing culture is humanity's quest for God. romans 1 "for the wrath of god is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness of men who suppress the truth of god in unrighteousness for what may be known of god is manifested in them for god has manifested it to them"
so god has placed a desire for unconditional love and meaning to life within all of us (in) to lead us to him. thru general revelation he reeals there is a god and through specific reelation, the way to get to him.
my concern is not that the gospel become "relevant" as you may be suggesting but that we see that culture has changed and it has a new perceived set of needs. i.e sin. people have been told that sin is for bad people but "I" am not a bad person. Humanity is not lost in depraity but has the potential for good. we must recognize that that is the "language of the culture" and if we are going to effectively reach it, then we must at least know the language and transition the tried and true gospel message to reach that culture.
I know of a church in my area that has a building that is fully paid for; they support missionaries; and they are dying. The have about 7 to 10 faithful members all over the age of 60. The have failed to reach out to the younger generation, instead they have maintained the music and traditions they enjoy, all the while declaring, "But we’ve never done it that way before."
Every church is one generation away from dying. We must change our methods but never the message. If we do not, we will die...
So true guys... I think it is important to have some changes in the church missions, but of course not in the Gospel message.
Varied may bring new people in, but if they are not true in their heart, then they will leave. We can not take it personal, when they do. Only God knows where their heart is. If they stay, praise God..... If not, will the seed has been planted...... The Holy Spirit will water it, even if it is some place else.
Have a good evening. God Bless you both.
Steve I appreciate this post. It reflects a lot of not only where we are as church out here, but seems to reflect a lot of the transition in my own life.
When I was in school the principal of my school could spank kids. I was spanked once that I remember by Miss Clark when I was in 1st grade.
Transition of the church, culture even figuring out how to transition this new self-obsessed narcissistic generation that insists no need for developing relationships. Since Christianity is relationship based it is going to be essential that we are listening to the Holy Spirit and to remain flexible enough to bend our wills, knowledge and ego's to be used to reach this generation.
I am probably not making a whole lotta sense so I will stop here and say probably what I should have said - Great post, I agree.
Jim
You make sense to me! Change and transition in life or the church is essential to growth. I am preparing a messae from ACts 6:1-7 as I type this. There, the church transitioned from a church of 120 to several thousand. When the church was small, they prayed alot, went from house to house, broke bread together, but in Acts 6the church has transitioned to a huge church and problems arose. Rather than pine for the old days, or complain, they transitioned to the change and went from leadership of just 12 toadding a few deacons. negotiating change is huge and that is where the church is now IMHO
So the question remains because no one has answered it: How to does the church transition? Most models of church are consumer-driven. We offer XYZ in programs and a certain type of style. If you like those things, then you will attend and participate there.
I don't pretend to have all the answers but I know a couple things for sure. The church as we know it in America is dying as it has in Europe and Australia, our sister-countries. The church in China is exploding. Why? When the communists took over, they arrested or executed all the leaders, expelled foreign missionaries, seized their land & buildings and forbade any meeting of Christians to exceed 15 people. The church at that time was 2 million people. One missionary who was expelled was finally allowed to re-enter the country some 30 years later. He expected to find a completely dead church. What did he find? A church of roughly 30 million and no 'congregation' larger than 15! The communist party of China has given us the exact church growth formula that is missing in America- no buildings or land, no paid staff, severe persecution, lay leadership, a forced home-church model (a group of 15 people can know each other very very well and grow together in the midst of persecution).
So, when the Bible is taken out of the court house, don't worry; when the seperation of church and state gets more seperate, don't worry. When a gag order is put on a pastor about certain topics, don't worry. Bring on the persecution. God doesn't offer a life of comfort but a life of trouble. Communism may not be the direction of our country but both passive and agressive persecution are increasing- and it may be the best thing for us.
Three books that have helped educate me on why the church has continued to shrink, repel men, and be void of people under 35 are:
1. The Forgotten Ways- Reactivating the Missional Church by Alan Hirsch
2. Organic Church by Neil Cole
3. Why Men Hate Going To Church by David Murrow
While I don't agree with everything that all three write, all of them point out new forms of church and give us reasons as to why the culture has changed and how some Christians are adapting and reaching people for Christ in new ways other than the attractional church model. Hirsch has a blog if you're interested. Just google it.
These books go way beyond style within church (adding candles, incense or changing the music) and deal with the real issues. They are also not proponents of liberal theology which has been created because it has found an untapped 'niche' in the church market.
Long comment, but if you read these books, you will be very challenge in your thinking. You may be possibly offended too, but you'll come out having at the very least a better understanding of our culture.
Kevin in Houston
Thanks Steve - you know we spend so much discussion time trying to get back to Acts 2:42. Considering we didn't see the apostles pushing that idea in Acts 6 makes me wonder if we aren't kicking against the move of the Spirit in looking backwards to rediscover 2:42. I understand the desire for simplicity, but is that longing for the 2:42 model just a resistance to change?
Kevin...I think Church, like Real Estate is local. The Church here in Placer County Ca. is most definitely thriving. However, if you went to the Bay area , S.F. and Marin County you would definitely feel like the end is near. I try to avoid extremes as stated in proverbs.
I had not read any of the books you suggested and I googled one that sounded interesting...Why Men hate Going to Church,, because it reflected just the opposite experience of my 25 years as a Christian. As I read the reviews on Amazon , I wonder if the writer is relating his overview of the Liberal Mainstream Protestant denominations, especially those that allow women as Pastors. The other day, Dennis Prager , a conservative jewish speaker, noted that when religious denominations allow women as pastors , the men end up leaving. Why? His opinion is that the men psychologically see the "Church" as a " Chick" place, rightly or wrongly and move on to other things. His sense was that God put man in that position as a duty, as a responsibility to his community and not because men are better.
Why is this important? Because the changes made by these churches made them popular with the elite culture. The churches redefined sin,adopted the social gospel, adopted egalitarian leadereship models etc. But I believe the traditional Gospel was sacrificed to be " more relevant". See the theology of F. Schleiermacher and his desire to be hip with the Romantics and the " experience" of God. These churches have consequently dried up because the Kingdom of Heaven was made to look like the Kingdom of Earth.
I believe a clear distinction should be made between what is clear bible teaching and traditions of culture that have become idols in churchiness.I believe we are always in a time of transition and That should definitely keep us on our toes to see whats happening.
just some thoughts Steve...your blog is a good way to stay on top of it....I'm still praying to sing some Christafari tunes at worship time...oh well, I can dream!
Frank "Ursus" Ordaz
hey, what church in placer county are you talking about? i'm in that area...maybe I'll check it out this weekend.
L
steveo - the "jesus freaks could be the last generation"?
I'm so not going to say anything about your being old, but hmmmm hasn't there been 2 generations of christians since that already??
just askin' ;-)
Anonymous L....Ahh Placer County, the best kept secret in Northern Ca. Extremely Family friendly, conservative ( first time in my voting years where a local politician that I voted for won..I lived in Marin Co. ). Of course I think very highly of my church, Crossroads ( aka Grass Valley Calvary Chapel ). Most churches are on average 1000 plus ( like ours ). There is Adventure Christian in Roseville about 6000 and Bayside in Granite Bay which is 10,000..get the picture...Many of the teachers at my sons High School are Christians and his biology teacher is a member at our church...but we also have our problems living in a fallen world...
Some Ideas for transition...Churches like ours are sponsoring the Truth Project which is a dvd series explaining the WorldViews of the Bible versus a Post Modern Secular WorldView. Identifying the problem is the first step to finding a solution. Are reason and Revelation compatible? Augustine said yes and Emmanuel Kant said no and Fredreich Schlieremacher ( the father of Protestant Liberal Theology ) said it was experiential ...who decides colors how you live your life
Another new thought...Wired magazine had an interesting article about the concept of free in our new media paradigm. I find this interesting in that I am taking philosophy courses on iTunesU. Alot of major courses are given away by such schools as MIT, Stanford etc. One teacher Herbert Dreyfus of Berkeley said he is "amazed" how many students are now taking his Philosophy classes..I see a hunger for answers out there!
Frank Ordaz aka "Ursus O"
ps. Ursus was the curmudgeonly philosopher with a soft heart in Victor Hugo's "The Man who Laughs". Great book if you can find it.
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