life, faith, culture
| In only about a month, we are going to launch a Saturday evening service at our church. As you would expect it's going to be informal, we're going to have a band and even a coffee house. In our area, as in many, the church has missed out on reaching 20 somethings, and thankfully ours wants to do something about it. Even though our town is rather small, there still remains many young adults who are either completely unchurched, or haven't been involved in church since high school. From the beginning, it was decided that we would try and obtain the best equipment feasible, as far as sound, lighting, music, decorations and furniture so as to create a quality service and an enjoyable atmosphere. However, all of the ambiance in the world doesn't mean that the Spirit of God will move. If the material objects draw people in, then they've served their purpose. But our goal is life change, and it takes a lot more than a great worship set to accomplish that. We chose to name the service emerge - emphasizing a departure from sin and into Christ, but also the necessity of taking Christ into our culture after He has transformed us. What will come of this attempt, still remains to be seen. Next week we begin a barrage of advertising - our website will launch, we will run ads in the local paper, have signs scattered across the county, get a few radio spots. We know it's imperative that we get the word out, but in the end, what will matter is if we get the Word out. That's the stuff that will change lives, the frappuccino, it's just filler. "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 |
posted by Christie