Just recently I was speaking with a pastor in another region and we were talking shop. Among the subjects mentioned was offering different experiences of worship to reach people. In their church they have one fairly formal and tradional worship service although they are adding some choruses. However, it is a far cry from worship experiences with some of the latest Christian music.
Although some members are speaking up about another worship experience, he mentioned he has told the people that he does not want to go in that direction. He said, "The contemporary worship services will grow and the more traditional services will not grow as much. You won't like it. And some of you will be upset." I thought, "My, how right he is at least in terms of how a contemporary experience will grow and how some people will not like it." Our staff has read the book, "Who Stole My Church?", by Gordon McDonald. The book is about how loyal and long-standing members can feel pushed aside by the new demands of reaching people in the twenty-first century. I have seen both happen at FBC, Nevada, MO. Much outreach has happend and lives have been changed through new worship experience. Also, people have been upset about the change.
But I raise the question-- is change worth it? Our church has grown over the past several years in many ways. We have at times been recognized for the number of baptisms by the Missouri Baptist Convention. We have added ministries such as Celebrate Recovery and Alpha that have touched the lives of many people. The numbers that have attended worship have dramatically increased from previous years. But there are disadvantages to change. Like the pastor mentioned, it is predictably that in reaching new people some people will no longer feel the church is the same. It is a grief experience for some.
But is change worth it? The Apostle Paul must have thought so: "To the Jews I became as a Jew in order to win Jews...To those outside the law I became as one outside the law so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some." (Read the entire passage I Corinthians 9:19-23). I have sometimes told our staff that every pastor and every church experiences grief. There is the grief that comes with decline or plateaus. There is also the grief that comes with growth and change. Both are painful, but I think change is worth it!
I absolutely agree with you, Pastor. I truly feel that change can be very scary and intimidating to many, but if we let fear run our lives, nothing would ever happen. If I would have let fear of change run my life, I would not have ever stepped foot in this church. I am now very active in our church and have seen my life change positively in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI am a teacher and believe that you must REACH your students before you can TEACH your students. As a Christian, I live by this philosophy everyday as well. If you are not reaching people by getting to know them, sharing experiences, and finding out what interests them, how can you help them or lead them to Christ? I feel that we must follow this rule in church too. We must know our audience, find their needs and fulfill them. That is why change must happen in our church to continue to reach others with good news. Contemporary or Traditional, what a silly question for people to ask. We are worshipping the same God just choosing a different way to connect with him and give him our praise. As teachers we are taught to differentiate our instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Well, we are all learners in life and it is the Church's job to differintiate its instruction and form of worship service to meet everyones needs. You may be one that lifts your hands or may be one that holds your hymnal...the important thing is that you are able to connect with the Lord. We are all different and have different needs....our God made us that way. Reach people, teach people, and see the benefits change can have!