The Christian world of church is under a revolution of challenge and change. The average Christian world of Church consists of a gathering for worship at least twice on Sunday and another meeting normally held on Wednesday of the week. The mid-week meeting normally is divided up by age groups. The children are in one location, youth in their own area and the adults gather for a Bible Study. Wednesday night services could resemble a Sunday service with music, a choir or some special music, but that is not the norm in most situations. Someone could write a book and name it the Evolution of Church and no doubt there would be leaders who would buy the book but I do not belive it would make the top seller lists.
Traditional church leaders don’t believe in a changing of the pattern of church worship that is experienced in most church. Traditional church leaders build their services to specifically include a designated moment of welcome, a time for prayers or sharing of congregational concerns, an organized choir which provides a specially prepared song for the service. A traditional service could easily include someone singing a song in place of a choir anthem but normally not both in a single service, it is one or the other, with the focus of the gathering on the preaching and not music in a traditional service.
Modern church leaders will not be buying a book about the Evolution of Church because most will consider the title and say there is no evolution, considering the average church is stuck in a position and cannot get out. Modern church services will not provide the attendees an order of worship which will be a problem for those who attend traditional worship and the perceived freelance spirit of a modern worship service would be an issue for traditional church goers too. Modern worship attendees will have their issues going to a traditional service for a couple main reasons. First, they will view traditional services as stiff and stifling to the moment of the Holy Spirit and secondly they will have an issue with the lack of emotion or perceived public participation.
If you not attend church you will be reading this column thinking Christians are in a mess and you would be correct. Traditional Christians will be offended I have even written the previous sentence and they will consider all I will think, write, or speak to be an offense. Modern leaders will be glad I’ve pointed out the difference between the Christian world of church that plays out each week in our towns, and communities.
I am not writing to the point, counter-point or advantage of either. I have served as a pastor of traditional churches and preached in traditional buildings of churches that house modern worship experiences, if that helps you any? The church of today has some issues that need to be addressed. Personally I can enjoy many varied aspects of worship and I like new things and old traditions too. The real issue for both churches I have written about today that church members and those attending should ask is quite simple. What are we doing inside our churches that are having any affect on the people outside our churches? If you do not have an immediate answer for that question then I believe that is a strong indication that it is time for a Bible evolution. These are tough issues for the Church of 2011 but the answer is very clear. Following Jesus wasn’t easy for the disciples when they were learning His ways but once they understood His method they were willing to die for the cause. What would you say best describes your reaction to the love of God?
Until then
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A church "order of worship" or "program" might as well also include times to go along with the elements: approx 3 minute opening prayer; 2 minutes to welcome; 2 minutes to 'meet and greet'; 8 minutes to sing opening songs; 20 minute sermon...you get the point. "Traditional" services afford people the opportunity to glance at their watch WAY too much.
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