What Is Relevant?
You know, I was thinking. There has been a lot of negative talk about the church growth movement in America today! There are a lot of people out there who are lumping in every growing church into one big pot. Now, I can't speak for every growing church in this country but I can speak about one. Before I do, let me remind all of those who read this blog that the views that are expressed here are mine and not those of any group or groups of people. There are many people that I love and admire who might agree or disagree with my views but that's where our love for Jesus comes in. Just remember that you too can voice your opinion at anytime even in disagreement.With all that said I want to cover two fallacies that are being said about all churches that are growing today. The first is "if a church is growing quickly they must be sacrificing, watering down or not teaching the true gospel of Jesus"! With some groups that might be the case, but where I go to church this is simply not true. I come from a long history of bible believing Christians. At NewSong Community Church I teach in two different small groups and am helping to train some teachers in a third. I teach from the word of God, about God, using the word of God! I believe in a firm Biblical foundation that includes grace, faith, Spirit inspired worship, baptism, communion, repentance, confession, service, peace, and most importantly LOVE just to name a few! These teachings do not explain away being obediant to God but encourage it. Once again I cannot speak for other churches but at NewSong, fundamental Biblical teachings are a must!
The second fallacy is that when a church grows larger they become impersonal and people lose their sense of belonging. Once again, at NewSong we encourage and advise ALL of our members to become a part of a small group. You see small groups (in my opinion) are the key to church survival! This was the example of the first century church and is the example that I follow today. In small groups we can give the Holy Spirit a chance to work through each member for the common good. We allow Him to minister to the needs! These groups give an opportunity for everyone to share in a safe and secure setting that allows guests and members alike to reap the benefits of God's goodness.
If you think that growing churches must be doing something fishy in order bring people in, or that they have lost a sense of Biblical teaching, then you don't know NewSong. We are a Bible believing, God fearing, loving, relevant group of Christians who are just doing our best to bring people into a real relationship with Jesus. Be blessed beyond belief today.
posted by Doug E. Pudge @ 8:14 AM
10 Comments:
Those first century Christians were onto something with their small groups. I bet they served some fine coffee as well. (If that's your thing...personally I can't stand the stuff)
ooh coffee!
Seriously though, I don't understand how Christians can accuse churches of growing "too quickly." The biblical examples of the first century church: 3000 were added on the day of Pentecost (acts 2:41), the entire book of Acts speaks of church planting and being relevant to the people to whom the Gospel is preached
Everyone has an opinion, and we can choose to agree or disagree. I am so thankful for our wonderful church....talk about feeling the Holy Spirit. I believe we are growing because of LOVE. Jesus teaches this and it is delivered at Newsong. God is Good. AMEN. OHHH..and the coffee!!!!!
I read something the other day.. God himself is the biggest change agent in his church.. I mean what happened when Jesus came to this earth. I am pretty sure that I haven't sacraficed any life stock lately....
Some people are afraid of change. It is most often the religious who are resistant to change. Jesus was met with resistance by the Pharisee's, who were not willing to accept Jesus's teachings.
My family and I are blessed beyond and above all measure in the name of Jesus. Amen!!
To answer your question:
Relevance is changing from mud floors to pews, from memorization to song books, from small groups to steeples and back to small groups, from loud voices to microphones, from parables about sheparding to stories about driving to work, from walking to church to having a parking lot, from breaking of bread and drinking wine to passing crackers and juice, from belting out from your heart to getting the pitch correctly with a little device, from "Just As I Am" to "Jesus Is Lord", from passing information by word of mouth to bulletins and websites, from meeting by candlelight to meeting with electricity, from meeting all throughout the week to meeting Sunday mornings, from circumcision to freedom, from Pharisees to Jesus, from judgement to love.
Well put LBOM! B4T
Praise God that you all have such a wonderful church!!!
In my church search I can say that I have found that the impersonal larger churches exist, more often than not, and even after going to a small group for 3-4 months Sunday mornings you may only see one or two people from the small group and a real connection is hard to find. Most pastors don't remember you from one visit to the next (even if it is just Sunday to Sunday), if they meet you at all. Don't get me wrong I probably wouldn't remember a visitor's name either, it is just different in smaller churches. I attended a church, for years, that grew rapidly and I remember thinking when I first went that it was the most wonderful church I had even been to, so open hearted to others and connected as groups and friendly to newcomers. When I went back to visit, it had completely changed. I saw the same faces and we all said hello but the friendliness of the church was gone, not towards me but it was no longer beaming with Gods love it was just a building with people in it. The pastor was still good but to many things had changed. I can't say that it is impossible for a church to grow and remain biblically sound and the congregation be open and inviting but it is rare and many people searching aren't finding it which has put a large number of noisy naysayers struggling with there relationship with God out in the cold with nothing positive to say.
The closest fit I have found at this time is New Song (Columbus of course).
Just responding - I have always thought it was possible to be a larger church and still be personable. Just making the point that it is hard to find.
You are absolutely right on all of that. Larger church have to go to extreme efforts to remain personal and personable! But one thing that is just as important is to remain Biblically solid! You can change the way the message is delivered but you cannot change the message. B4T
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