Stones Cry Out

Beg to differ. A former neighbor of mine was interested in spiritual matters, but felt he would be bored at a traditional organ-and-choir church. He started attending a church with a more modern sense of music and "liturgy" and enjoyed it enough to continue going there.

This was a church that was specifically reaching out to non-Christians. However, from what we were able to pick up, they were a mile wide and an inch deep. I guess the idea was to at least get the unchurched going to church, using the musical language they spoke. I don't know everything that was going on there--whether there was more in-depth teaching and discipling available, or whether the ministry of that church grew--so I don't want to pass judgement on them. It sounded like a good idea if it was complete enough.

Basically I'm saying that in this short-attention-span generation, this approach can and does work at getting people to at least be willing to investigate Christianity. The truths should be the same, but the trappings can change.

I understand that there objections by many when church hymns started being written in 3/4 time. ("Waltz music in church?!") I wonder if they had the same conversation then. :)

Great point. It's disheartening to see our churches using "gimmicks" in order to bring people to church. I know of one church near us that has been offering door prizes as a lure for people to come to church. As I recall, Jesus did not resort to such tactics. People were drawn to Him because of who He is. Why isn't that good enough for the church?

Doug: I'm talking about people who aren't interested in spiritual matters. Those folks ain't coming either way.

I see. I was just answering the general question, "Why?" There is definitely a place for contemporary services for certain kinds of people.

The folks not interested in spiritual matters would need more reason to come. Personal witnessing is the answer there. Yet if you succeed in interesting them in coming to church, that contemporary worship may yet be useful there.

Hmmm... I see your point, because it does sound like they are marketing their services just to fellow Christians. As far as marketing their church services to non-Christians, it seems there would be a better way to get their attention. Advertising what's inside as well as the style... "Contemporary Worship - Comtemporary Answers" or something like that.

Bringing non-Christians to Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit works through us most effectively in our relationships with our family and friends. No program or "gimmick" of the church will ever replace one-on-one outreach.

With that in mind, perhaps "contemporary" services are intended to demonstrate the relevance of Christ through the relevance of the worship style. If a non-believer gets nothing out of an older-style worship service, perhaps he will think in turn that he will get nothing out of the object of worship: Christ.

Paul understood this principle: For I became all things to all men, so that by all means I might win some (paraphrased II Cor. 9:22?).

As long as the church remains focused on Jesus Christ, I applaud every effort to meet the needs of Christians and non-Christians alike.

Be blessed!

Why not?

What if it's just how the members like to worship themselves? They do so using modern instruments because, well, they're modern.

It's what the organists did when they first starting using organs in church and I imagine what the harpists when they first starting using harps in the Bible. It's just what's around.

Why not?

hi
i live in south africa and the same thing happens out here, and sadly it looks like there are churches who are fully intentional about having "cool" services to attract people. its like they are trying to attract the lost in the easiest way possible and getting the lost to christ is a lot more than "hype". Jesus himself said take up your cross, we cant lie to the lost following Jesus isnt going to be a walk in the park its have an elemment of self sacrifice. so whats the perosn who is going to a " cool" church going to do when the service for whatever reason isnt as on it as it usually is, will they find another cool church, does it become about what we get out og it?