BST's Blog

Some of you will find this utterly boring. However, I thought I might try and download some of what I have heard this week so far. It's all been good.

Dan Kimball (Max Headron) began yesterday by relaying a recent Barna statistic saying that in 2002 he surveyed people between the ages of 12 and 30 asking them if they were a part of a church. 80%--yes EIGHTY--said they weren't. 45% of them had never been to a church and the rest got fed up and walked out. We are past the point of being in a nation that recognizes the Church, or even the Bible for that matter, as an authority. 80%!!! That's huge. So here we sit arguing over whether we have instrumental music, whether we sing during communion, whether a woman will stand up and make an announcement or even stand silently and SERVE communion. It's insane. We have to be able to think ahead to what percentages like that mean for the future. Clearly--CLEARLY--things don't work the way they used to. People don't automatically decide to go to church because it's the "American way" or the "moral thing to do". In fact, most of those folks would tell you (and they are right-- based on the facts) that morality and church going don't really have anything in common. There's not much difference between the Church and the world these days as far as that goes. The world isn't blind--they see it. We have to be willing to step back and take a new look at the approach we're using. We seem so protective of how we do "church". We even seem territorial of the buildings we meet in calling THEM the church. We are the church--we, God's people. Not a building, not a worship order, not a cultural tradition. If we had as much passion for the Lord as we do for our traditions of man, we'd turn this place on its ear.

Some are saying that this new age is simply just another generation gap. However, what we are hearing and what I believe to be true is that we are dealing with a new world view vs. a generation gap. If it were a generational thing, we could just update the songs, wear hipper clothing and be done with it. Even in educational circles, teachers are scrambling to figure out new ways to teach children who simply don't respond to learning as we all once did.

Dan Kimball took a video camera to a college campus and asked two questions--
1. What do you think of Jesus?
The response was very positive-- "I am all about Jesus", "I love His teachings", "It really says something to die for what you believe in", "I respect how he lived his life and loved people".
2. What do you think of Christians?
You could see their expressions immediately drop. Responses went a little like this... "I've never met a real one", "They are the most judgmental people alive", "They have taken the teachings of Jesus and turned them around to hate others", "I am trying to become one, but I don't see anyone I feel like could help me".

WOW!! Pretty huge statements there. When these folks were asked these questions--notice none of them said anything like, "Their worship services are boring". This emerging generation is into authenticity. They don't expect perfection by any means--but when someone proclaims to have everything figured out--essentially shutting down healthy dialogue--that's when they check out. When are we going to spend the energy we've used on how to have better worship assemblies on getting serious about living out who we say we are??

Dan included a section in his hand outs that was about preaching and communicating to this Emerging generation. This was helpful for me--maybe it will register with you too.

I'll use these for codes-- MC (modern church--where we all are) and EC (Emerging Church--speaking the language of much of those 80%)

MC: the sermon is the focal point of the worship service
EC: the sermon is one part of the total "experience" of the worship service

MC: the preacher serves as a dispenser of Biblical truths to help solve personal problems in modern life--much like a Tony Robbins conference with a few scriptures thrown in.
EC: the preacher teaches how the ancient wisdom of the scriptures applies to Kingdom living as a disciple of Jesus.

MC: there is an emphasis on explaining "WHAT is truth?"
EC: there is an emphasis on explaining and experiencing "WHO is truth"

MC: the starting point is with the Judeo-Christian worldview (Americans used to be based here--not any more)
EC: The starting point is the Garden of Eden and retelling of creation and origin of man and sin. Story, story, story---how we fit into the overall story of God.

MC: Biblical terms like "the gospel" and Armageddon" don't need much definition since they are basically understood.
EC: Biblical terms like "the gospel" and "Armageddon" need to be deconstructed and redefined.

MC: The Scriptural message is primarily communicated in words
EC: The Scriptural message is communicated through a mix of words, visuals, art, silence, testimony, and story

MC: Preaching in a worship service is seen as the primary way someone learns from Scriptures during the week
EC: The preaching in a worship service is seen as a motivator to encourage people to learn from the Scriptures all throughout the week.

MC: Preaching and communicating primarily take place within the church building during a worship service
EC: A lot of the preaching and communicating take place outside the walls of the church building in the context of community and relationship.

Some of that may seem like a no brainer. However, the impact that taking these things to heart will have is significant. It means that we must begin to care more about Kingdom building and less about our kingdom (little k) protection.

I have really struggled with all this talk about "post-modernity" because I haven't truly seen it in action. I have had a couple of hazardous conversations with people who claim to be completely "post-modern" and came away feeling uncertain. What I have appreciated about the conference this week is that I haven't really heard that terminology used at all--except in a hilarious video razzing the stereotypical cynical post-modern. It was a slam on most of us there--so it was ok to laugh. The term being used most often to describe this group and way of thinking is "Emerging". That seems right on to me. It seems to accurately describe where we truly are without alienating the rest of our family in Christ...because, like it or not, we are in a time of "emergence". People think differently, Wicca (a type of witchcraft) is becoming extremely popular, the church has lost its voice to much of the world--these are different times. I feel like I can embrace the term "Emergent" because that's exactly where I find myself...sort of between two places, waiting and praying and seeking God's leading.

I honestly was afraid that this conference would be marked by a lot of Eeyore type thinking and talking. I have been blown away by the hope, the authenticity, the creativity and relativity of what I have seen so far. I laughed telling Sheryl--it's like 2000 people all running around with crazy hair, piercings, tattoos and Urban Outfitter clothing who all love Jesus and want to really storm this world for Him through new wineskins. It's entirely exciting. It's entirely energizing. It's entirely different. It's entirely scary for the majority of the folks who may be punching their cards on Sundays and Wednesdays across the country. Man--these are interesting times. For the first time in months, however, I am excited about the possibilities. For that I am extremely grateful!

If you've read this far, thank you for taking the time. If you haven't read this far, you won't be reading this anyway. More later.