I love my church . . . God and His Word upheld as the final authority, the old hymns, traditional choir robes, the offering plate passed. I have been to other churches-churches that uphold God and His word, but singing modern praise choruses with guys in ripped jeans playing their instruments, and computerized offering stations that automatically deduct from your banking account. That is not my kind of church. However, it is just the kind of church for some people-people who would have no interest in coming to a very traditional service in a traditional church building. Maybe the Church as a whole is like an individual Christian with his spiritual gifts. For instance, I would say that I am not too shabby at writing. I can write an encouraging note to someone. I am no good at all at singing. I could not sing a song to someone to cheer them up. Both of those gifts-writing and singing-are needed in the Church, but everyone doesn't need to do both, they just do what they are gifted at. So with the many churches-some traditional, some all new-fangled; maybe the world needs both kinds. As long as people are hearing the truth taught about God and His Word, it little matters what the individual church or its members look like.
After all, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
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Good thoughts, and I agree with you.
It cuts both ways. People who like contemporary styles tend to look down on traditional churches, which I think is just plain uncool and prideful. I go to one like that, and have heard so many disparaging comments about traditional hymns.
Umm, excuse me, but these hymns have survived and thrived through generations of believers, and it gets me mad when people summarily dismiss them.
So both sides should chill out on how we worship.
PS: You really should think twice about using the word "emerging." "Sir" Nathan knows what I'm talking about :).
I think she used the word "emerging" on purpose.
Thanks for the thoughts, Jen.
Well, the word "Emerging" and "Emergent" are two completely different things (http://youtube.com/watch?v=mcCUdIBaZig)
Also, We did sing hymns at Mars Hill... However, the punk rock songs we sang weren't as good :)
And I think, Driscoll is really trying to meet Seattleites where they are at. I was watching video interviews with Driscoll from the Desiring God Shepherds conference, and one thing he mentioned was how Missionaries to Africa who lead a young African man to Christ, aren't going to then dress him up in a suit and tell him to minister to corporate America. He's going to send him to his tribe to preach the truth.
In the same way, I think, you don't go to Seattle and expect young, unbelieving Seattleites to come to a fluffy, stained-glass-window-filled, old lady smelling church. You're going to meet them where they're at.
"Outside of our church you'll see guys with wacky hair, tattoos, pants falling down, smoking cigarettes talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That's Seattle."
And I thought that was awesome. Kind of changed my perspective a little. :) Thanks Jen!
I am so thankful that were able to visit Mars Hill Church during our trip to Washington, and hear Mark Driscoll preach the WORD. Worshipping the Lord in song is a privilege, and it was great to be able to experience what their worship was like. What was really neat was how more people sang when the traditional hymns were played. It was definitely very different than what we're accustomed to at Grace Community Church, but all in all it was a great experience. Even the twilight zone experience of winding up at Mars Hill church twice in one night (hee-hee)!
I know whereof you speak! I know I am a "church lady" when I get dressed up in my "church" clothes...it's a culture of sorts. We don't only have a tendency to conform to the pattern of this world, but to the pattern of our particular church, and it can come to define for us what we perceive to be the proper expression of our Christianity. We can so easily get too narrow, and lose our focus, and not focus on the things that matter most.
We all know Jesus cares more about the issues of the heart than how a church, or a person, is packaged, but we are quick to forget it.
I have pondered many times how Driscoll really zeroed in on where his 20-ish city congregation is that night and brought the Scriptures there to meet their needs, holding the Bible in one hand and speaking straight to them--in a way that applied to this older Marysvillian church lady as well.
The Holy Spirit is creative enough to work in a city church such as his in such an enthralling way--it shows that there isn't just one way to cut it and cut it straight. There is only one truth, but it applies to the African in his hut and the American in his mansion or his condo--but the presentation of that truth can vary so widely and still be truth!
Thank you for being here that week, it was great to meet you face-to-face. I felt like we already knew each other!
It was a dark and stormy night...thank you, Marcella, for not mentioning that the way that you ended up at Mars Hill TWICE was because my compass spins in Seattle. I must have used half a tank extra just trying to find our way out of that crazy city. You two were so patient with me!
Memories of that night bring a smile to my face...not the being lost, but the rest of it!
Our trip was physically and spiritually fruitful, and we are still thanking God for those who let us use their beds and see their cities.
Thanks for all the input on this post.
And wagamama, you nailed it on the head-the use of "emerging" was more of a play on words than anything else. As much as I LOVE theological debate,(I couldn't be more sarcastic and facetious about that), the word choice was more of a journalistic tool.
"...And I can't figure out why you want me around, I'm not the smartest person I have ever met. But somehow it doesn't matter, no it never really mattered to you at all! And at the risk of wearing out my welcome, at the risk of self discovery, I'll take every moment, every minute that you give me."
Merser, wagamama, and I fundamentally agree on this.
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