Future of the Church 2 (of 5)
More Bible, Less Fluff
When I was a kid, many churches didn’t engage my generation. Most of my friends “went to church” but we didn’t follow Christ. The American church (for the most part) lost touch with how to engage the younger generations.
The church needed to change. And it did. We needed to become more relevant in the way we engaged non-believers, challenged believers, and presented God’s Word. One result was the “seeker-sensitive” church. This movement brought some very positive changes, including:
- We don’t assume everyone is a believer when they come to church.
- We don’t assume everyone knows our language, has a Bible, or even cares about Christ.
- We are more outward-focused.
In my opinion though, in recent years, the pendulum has swung too far. Now, in some places, church is so relevant that we almost seem to worship culture more than Christ.
It’s sad to me when pastors think a church must have:
- Cool lights and videos
- A coffee shop
- Sermon series with catchy titles and intro videos
- A stool and a table on the stage
- Buildings with no Christian symbols
- _________________
(Fill in your own blank. There are too many of these things to list.)
When people do finally come to church, we should help them experience Christ—not just something that looks like a rock concert, coffee bar, or movie theater.
(I’m not saying they can’t experience Christ in those environments. I’m saying that some churches are putting more energy into environments than into the preaching of God’s Word.)
Environments don’t change lives. Christ changes lives.
The churches that thrive will be Biblical churches. God’s Word will be preached. People will feel uncomfortable, challenged, convicted. The future church will be more about preaching and living God’s Word than about attracting people with clever sermon titles, videos, and programs. Sure, we might use those things (or maybe not… GASP!). But only those who preach God’s Word will thrive. The rest will die.
Please join the conversation. What do you think?
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That’s prophetic…
That’s what I think…
Amen!
“Great Leaders are always steps ahead of their followers; especially in thought.” SW Thanks Craig!
I would like to see more excitement in the pulpit as well. I think there is going to a re-ignition of fired up preachers. I would love to more men excited about preaching the Word. Not so much yelling for the sake of yelling, but someone who is excited and passionate about what he is preaching!
I’d like to see more churches with a sweet environment, but with a stronger bible teaching emphasis. But, I would agree with you that just because your church has a cool environment doesn’t mean your doing something right or it’s going to change lives. I think that some where along the way, pastor’s bought into that idea. If we have coffee, wear jeans, and don’t sing hymns people are going to flood in. I have seen a bunch of churches try that and struggle through it.
Last thought, I think for a while churches have made to big of a deal about how their church is different from other churches. If your going to wear jeans to church, then wear them. If you want to have sweet lighting, then do it. If your church wants to have a rock band, than do it. But, don’t put the emphasis on those things. The focus needs to be leading people to Jesus. Wear jeans, have a rock band, etc. but don’t make it a big deal.
wow! have to agree, i think it’s prophetic and powerful…
I Agree completely! We as the whole church need to be relevant and reach people in today’s culture. As a result there are more tools to work with that ARE necessary but I try to think if Jesus walked the earth today where would he be? I HIGHLY doubt he would be hanging out at the local church coffee lounge, or lifting his hands under the Las Vegas light show on the stage of our alters singing “I surrender all.� I imagine in my own mind, that he would be on the streets preaching, in the homes teaching the Word, challenging…motivating and changing lives. When he would come to the church…where would he go? The back row? The Parking lot ? The Teen Ministry ? The individual? Questions I ask myself. That is why I love Life Church. Life Church is reaching out, using all of the tools given but the focus is always the same…Changing lives through the WORD. Thank you Life Church
I love what Francis Chan said. He basically said that if Jesus setup church down the street from him, that Chan’s church would be bigger. Francis was being completely authentic in admitting that he cares too much sometimes about keeping people and not enough about offending them.
The Gospel is divisive. It’s supposed to be. It’s not a contradiction to passionately love people with a sacrificial love and offend their sense of morality (not God’s) at the same time.
In my opinion, desperately loving God is the key here. When we do, that love natrually flows. It’s then possible to have coffee, book stores, and the rest because they are there as mere resources to express God’s love.
The addition of lights and videos are mistakenly assumed to be the solution to the issue of effectively sharing the Gospel in this culture, but should be merely “wrapping” around the unfiltered and unapologetic sharing of the Gospel.
Thank you for saying that. I have been tempted to abandon what makes our church unique to run after what is cool. “Cool” won’t reach the lost, but Christ will. Christ preached is the hope of the world, and not what is cutting edge.
Thanks for helping me see that.
Adding to what Art said about being cool…
This is what Shane Claiborn said in his book “Irresistible Revolution�:
“I guess everybody’s just trying to be cool. I remember the cool days. I used to be cool, chillin with the in-crowd of respectable United Methodists…but everything cool came to an abrupt end, my coolness ruined by a God who has everything backward.”
He went on to say that even the pagans hang out with cool people. But God is directing us to be with the not-so-cool. He points out that our luke warm (an old-school way of saying “cool�) Christianity will be spit out of God’s mouth (Rev. 3:16).
But that’s me, in some ways I’m still a luke-warm “cool� Christian. But it’s never too late!
[...] On the Swerve blog, Craig is posting a series titled the “Future of the Church.� In his post today (read it here) he discussed some of the changes churches made to be more “seeker sensitive.�  Although we are making some progress, in my opinion of the nearly 400,000 churches in America, there is far too many that: [...]
I’m glad someone who’s considered to be a part of the “Innovative/Seeker” movement (not saying YOU put yourself in that category, but judging by the cover of Outreach Magazine - you’ve been put there) speak about the shortcomings OF the movement.
This fad will change. Church is going to be seen like burgers in the 80’s “Where’s the beef?” We put all this “cool” stuff up that caters to the current perceived needs of culture, but what about when this fad changes in 5 years? Let’s work to restore the “attractiveness of the gospel” not the “relevance of church.”
Its because of stuff like this why you stay on my blogroll.
I don’t classify our church as a “seeker” church (although I have been heavily influenced by Hybels/Warren).
A pastor friend emailed this morning and suggested I clarify that environments are important, but the Gospel is far more important.
I am scared that people come to our church and see the lights, videos, environments, etc. and believe those things are what makes the church. They are not. Obviously we use them, but if someone doesn’t see the passion for Christ, they missed the whole point.
My respect and admiration for your ministry grows daily.
I have been stirred with this holy discontent for the church for some time. Although I enjoy many of the comforts we have come to experience at church, I KNOW that is not the meat of our ministry or our mission.
I blog about this here if anyone cares to read it: http://bryansbunch.wordpress.com/2007/09/13/what-is-the-church-serving/
When the lost and un-churched decide to be guests at our servies that are fully aware they are going to a church. They are looking for something different in their lives. They need a life changing moment. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”
Authentic worship, joy, and concern are a few life-changing attributes that will impact thier lives.
Filling in the blank:
A big MickyD style LED display of “people served”, a display of the planned 500,000 seat Auditorium, a book/JesusGear/Videotape-DVD store, snacks for the movie, no Sunday School, a “rocking! kids theme park as a kids ministry, music ministry rock band or choreographed choir to lead in to the sermon movie…oops am I stepping on toes? Nevermind. Of course, none of that detracts if they preach God’s Word. Also, isn’t this an obedience issue? What do you care what the world or other churches think of all this “stuff” if you believe you do it in obedience to the vision? IMHO, as always. (grin)
I’m always bemused when someone raises the question of where Jesus would go if he came to earth today. Isn’t the answer obvious? Wherever the Father told him to go. IMHO…etc.
I think you were right on with this post.
It’s sad how in some parts of America there are churches that seem like they will never join the real world and become relevant, and in other parts there are churches who have taken that thought to extremes. No matter what we do as churches we must have scripture as our core to really stress that values and key beliefs that Jesus came to this earth to communicate to us.
I believe we should use relevancy to get people interested in listening, but our churches should always have the same message of truth, even when it might not be PC. Not a watered down message that will offend the least amount of people.
[...] It is really refreshing to see a church that to some people might look like a thouroughly “seeker-sensitive” church have a pastor that writes this. [...]
Amen,
As churches we definitely need to keep the “main thing” the “main thing.”
God’s Word!
I appreciate the fact that this is coming from you.
Many people look to you for leadership and trend setting relevant ideas for leading their churches. I know a lot of them (I am one of them).
Thanks for showing that “being cool” is not the end…”being like Christ” is the end.
Please keep sharing Kingdom building ideas like these, and please to continue to challenge leaders to think…not just copy.
Great post Craig!
The method we use in communicating the Gospel is important and was modeled by Jesus. The key is that the Gospel is what is communicated, not the method.
I think all the lights, fun series titles, and even clever murals for the kids area can be relied on instead of the word and heart of God. You can have all these things but if the truth is not being preached, you will have an audience but you won’t see peoples lives changed. And that life change can only come through hearing the truth of God’s Word and Christ’s love for us.
Great Post! What a great reminder as well…I have many times got caught up in being trendy and relevant and have lacked the emphasize of life change! Thanks for the reminder Craig!
Bring it!
I love what you said about people’s feeling uncomfortable, challenged and convicted. I love the tension that comes from meeting people where they are and trying to take them some place better. I think that’s where the importance of environment and experience come in. Let’s allow our experience to put people at ease and use our message to make them uncomfortable.
This blog serves as a great reminder to distinguish between the medium and the message. Jesus performed miracles that provided a pretty flashy “medium” but each miracle provided a context for the “message” that was about God’s love for humanity and our need to share that love.
Enjoy the medium; grow from the message, but don’t confuse the two!
i couldn’t agree more! what you win them with is what you will keep them with. if you need all these fancy things in order to get people to church then you are going to have not only maintain that level of production, but also improve upon. People will not be content with the same videos, sermon titles, illustartions year in and year out. It becomes a never ending cycle and many times takes valuable time away from other things.
Craig,
Thanks for the great reminder. It is truly all about Jesus the One who transforms lives of those who encounter Him.
I do appreciate those things that enhance the message and the Truth to be shared in relevant ways.
You are absolutely right on!
Thanks,
Chris
[...] so when i read this blog post about the future of the church it got me thinking… what has your congregation tried? What has been successful? What hasn’t? [...]
relevancy is a dirty word.
when the church becomes consumed with being relevant, we have horribly lost this ever pressing battle.
My friend wrote an article in “relevant magazine” about this very thing. Please take a read and post your thoughts!
Here is the link
http://relevantmagazine.com/god_article.php?id=7367
Hi Craig,
Fantastic post.
I wonder though if what you have written is a reaction to the many large, relevant churches that you mix with.
We have planted a church to reach the unchurched young adults in Brisbane, Australia. We are only at 200. But we try to be relevant. We especially are gospel focused.
But the people I mix with at Bible College are quite critical of what we do because they claim that we should just be faithful to preaching the Bible. Their churches are not reaching the unchurched because of a no. of reasons. One I think is that they are not communicating the message in a way that is relevant/understandble to seekers.
From what I can tell, your post is a necessary correction for people who are too focused on trying to be cool/hip etc. But I still think that there are many at the other end of the spectrum who have never understood the need to be relevant. I am assuming you probably don’t encounter these people very often.
Paul told Timothy to get circumcised for the sake of being able to present the message (this is my book is a pretty big step
Paul told Titus not to get circumcised for the sake of protecting the purity of the gospel.
I think both truth and relevance are needed.
Totally agree. We have to preach the word! Nothing more and nothing less.
If people always leave the church feeling warm and fuzzy, something isn’t right…great post
One very influential pastor has gone on the record as saying that he won’t put a cross up in his church because he wants to eliminate the barricades that keep people from coming into church. I don’t want to listen to somebody who dances around the issues like that.
You can remove the offense from the manner in which you deliver the message of the Gospel, but you can’t remove the offense of the cross to an unbelieving world. Only God can move a person’s heart.
I recently heard a pastor use the phrase “motion without progress” to describe the efforts many churches expend when they throw money at technology to try and become “relevant”.
Hey, we changed again! Look at the new technology! Check out the new logo! How ’bout that new service name? Aren’t we innovative? Aren’t we hip?
The danger here is the thinking that changing something just because it is “new, creative and fresh” will somehow automatically make it relevant or successful.
Now don’t get me wrong: I’m all for creativity, change and shaking things up when you’re getting the same old results. As the saying goes, “keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.” However, I’m critical of the concept of change for the mere sake of change.
As a church tech consultant, I make my living off of helping churches think and plan to leverage technology. Yet I am convinced that it’s not about tech - it’s about people. I’ve yet to see a moving light win someone to Jesus, but I have seen church leaders use technology to support and enhance the spoken word in an impactful way.
Here’s the point: Any extra motion without progress (both measured and intrinsic) is wasted effort - and quite possibly a lot of wasted money.
To be honest, what we questioned and weren’t crazy about when first walking into LC WAS the coolness. The kids’ murals. The coffee shop (back then). The trendiness.
We were wary. But we gave it a try.
And we heard the preaching. And it was right on the money. As Keith Green said, there was “No Compromise.” No watering down. And we came again. And again there was no compromise.
Three years later the message is still theologically sound. Challenging. Convicting.
The environment is more comfortable for those not “churched.” But the message is not, (and should not be) comfortable!
THANK YOU for keeping us uncomfortable amidst all the coolness.
This is incredible. I can’t wait to see this in entirety.
oh my gosh - THANKS for the post. It is exactly what I was thinking. pendulum swinging too far.
soooo true!!
Environments don’t keep people…they are only a doorway.
Environments don’t change lives…the true principals of God’s Word do.
What a bold post coming from someone who has practically all of the above.
You can have all of the above but without a sense of love and a foundation of truth based on the Word…then none of the above will matter.
Thanks for keeping the balance Craig.
Man, I hate the pendulum! I wish someone would grab that thing and keep it from swinging so much, it seems we can become borderline schizophrenic because we are always going back and forth on issues. I fully agree at the core of this post, however, I think there are churches in every community that preach the word and the gospel of Jesus. I think that our church has been successful with our “look and feel” because we have been targeting a demographic that responds to that. This look and feel wouldn’t necessarily work globally or even in some regions in our country with a different demographic, but it works for ours.
I think we can continue to use the environment to draw people in and make them comfortable, even inspire them because of the level of excellence. But in the end, it is Jesus who changes their lives! I think that God has anointed you and is guiding you to lead our church like no one else could. I appreciate the simplistic ideal that Jesus Saves and that is all. I’m a fan of the schnazzy videos and flashing lights…mainly cause that hits close to home!
I work at a secular university as the campus pastor (some universities still allow that to happen!), my biggest problem is kids who come from a particular denomination (across the board) and feel that the ministry should be reflective of their upbringing. Needless to say, it makes for some interesting challenges. I’ve been sharing from the “Disciple” series from your site to give them a different perspective and believe me…its made some kids uncomfortable…thanks for all you do!
Craig you are such a gifted writer/speaker. You speak truth and wisdom in so many areas.
Your comment that many of your generation weren’t engaged at church reflects on the effectiveness of the Student Ministry Pastors of my generation. Youth ministry has changed so much for the better than when I was doing it. I am fortunate that my two sons had Pastors who cared for them in ways that they are still walking with Christ and serving Him. I pray often for your generation of leaders. I believe that you have a great opportunity/responsibility to find the balance between Gospel and culture.
Large churches can indeed function small in their caring for lost and hurting people. Small churches won’t typically stay that way if they are doing the same.
Good word!
wow wow wow.
God clearly is using you in great ways,Craig. He’s dumping insight into your mind. Keep sharing… good good stuff.
I appreciate Bobby’s comment also “The key is that the Gospel is what is communicated, not the method.”
I see this in small group circles (I’m a small groups pastor). People get so hung up on the method and the model and not enough on the heart of the message and the simplicity of people following Christ.
Thanks for your voice on this subject. I agree… that’s prophetic.
I just got home from work… and I must say.. I have been obsessing over this blog post all day…(in a good way)
One single thought kept permeating…
It is a significant accomplishment to create a church environment that connects with the culture…and brings many in…but for those who have the vision it is a relatively easy thing…
That accomplishment pales in comparison however to creating a church enviornment that changes the culture, and perverbially “turns the world upside down”…
I am reminded that the unconquearable Roman Empire, was conquered at the life of 1 man, and the twelve who faithfully witnessed concerning Him…
They didn’t have great numbers (at first), as much as great influence, that turned the world upside down…
Again, I think it is a significant accomplishment to be a culture reaching church, but an ultimately more significant accomplishment to change that culture for Christ…
To quote Freederick Douglas…
This blog has personally challenged me to take a look at how I measure “success”…
Relevance is not a goal, it is a tool to get you to the real goal - transformed lives. We cannot miss that! But that doesn’t mean relevance isn’t important.
I believe relevance is essential, but their is no one-size-fits-all approach to what is relevant and what isn’t. Relevance is a function of the culture of a place. What is relevant to a rural church in Indiana may or may not be relevant to a church in Manhattan.
So does that mean churches who preach “safe” topics will need to step it up and begin to stop worrying so much about controversy?
To clarify what I am saying… will they need to stop just preaching the sugary messages and dive deeper into the convicting messages and be okay wrestling with the questions and the answers?
Praise God!
Craig, this weekend was SO packed with the word! You almost seemed anxious or excited to pour out all that revelation! I loved ALL the Word! Bring it brother!
“Environments don’t change lives. Christ changes lives.” - wow, so true.
IF we needed that kind of crap we’d be in trouble. We’re a church in a former bar/nightclub in the inner-city Detroit. The love of Christ IS the atmosphere for us - nothing postmodern, trendy,etc…
And in three years, we’ve never had a Sunday that someone didn’t accept Christ!
As Toby Mac sang: IF Jesus is in the house, the house is packed” - HE is what we need!!
Its a real balancing act. Between being engaging, inviting, and safe, and confrontational, challenging, and uncomfortable. Its the stuff that keeps us pastors up at night, and I have to say I love it.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Craig, it was SO refreshing to hear that from you. Jesus is so much greater than fads, trends, resources, etc. Not to diminish those; but, Jesus still MUST be the center and the reason…not an afterthought.
Right on Craig! I’ve been convicted of this more and more. We at Central Christian in Vegas have actually started to “unwire” some of the creative things we do because we fear there is too much focus on all the cool stuff and not enough focus on our amazing God. I know there are many different cultures and churches, but we’re working hard to keep it real. If people walk out and all they think is, “That’s a cool church” we’ve failed miserably. If they walk out saying, “God is an amazing God,” that is success!
[...] Pastor Craig Groeschel has an interesting blog sord of around the same thing. Check it out here. [...]
Great Post Craig!
Method vs. Message. Although the former can draw, it is the latter that will keep. The environments we create at our churches must indeed raise hearts and hands, but also lower knees.
Amen! I was at Catalyst this year and the same message rang loud and clear. We are not called to plant creativity; we’re called to plant the gospel. Sometimes we get too caught up in creativity and lose the focus of preaching repentance and forgiveness. Thank you for living your vision and being real, open and bold.
Sorry I am a little behind. I think too many church are more concerned about how church is done, and for get that WE are to BE the church.
Craig –
Biblical teaching is one place where I see LifeChurch somewhat falling short — there simply isn’t a place in LifeChurch to really learn about the Bible. I had assumed that this was what LifeGroups were for, but it turns out that every LifeGroup we’ve tried out were just talking about the sermon. While I have been impressed with the biblical _basis_ of the sermon, I don’t think it has translated into teaching _about_ the Bible.
In another vein, one idea I’ve had for a while is to try to move the seminary closer to the Church. One of the biggest problems in Church today is that the seminary is so far removed from the Church itself - physically, missionally, and spiritually. It should not cost someone an arm and a leg to engage the Bible seriously either at a devotional or an academic level. Preachers should not have to mortgage their life to go to seminary as a prerequisite for ministry, and it should be seen as a normal part of spiritual maturity to start seriously engaging scripture. Seminary needs to be moved physically into being part of the local Church.
Anyway, I wrote up some of my ideas here:
http://baraminology.blogspot.com/2007/09/call-for-new-kind-of-seminary.html
I’m actually in seminary right now at Phillips Theological, with one of my goals being helping bring a deeper study of the Bible to local Churches.
I know that some people don’t like using video or multimedia with worship services, but our church has found it allows us to reach the younger generation. In fact, some of the teens are now producing videos for our church. It has allowed them to be more interactive with our mission. They use worship animations in their productions for overlaying text messages, which the young people seem to really like. Here is where they are getting the animations - http://www.studio1productions.com We have found by using the animations, it really keeps the kids attention and gets the message across.
Randy Wilcox.