So I've been sharing my thoughts on what makes a church findable by those who are looking, not because I'm any kind of expert, but simply because we are in a season that's granting us a new perspective in looking for a church and frankly many of the things that I've been noticing are eye-opening. Meaning that in my church leadership experience I never considered these ideas and maybe you haven't either.
So today I wanted to write about the part that, while a very passionate subject for me, is most misused in determining a church home - music and technology.
There is an undeniable factor of welcome and cultural awareness that is very important. If you deny the direction of current music and cutting edge technology then you are burying you head in the sand of the world that Christ has put you in the midst of to reach. But often we who are tech-geeks and/or musicians elevate these things above much more important parts of a body because they can make us uncomfortable and we see weakness instead of opportunity. So maintain the balance - always be open, no matter what the aspect you're evaluating, to using the passion that comes to light in your heart when you see "weakness" as a potential way for you to be used and not a reason in itself to attend or not attend a church.
That being said, a church should be AWARE of the culture that it is in and this is most often reflected in things that are very visible on a Sunday morning, like the music, technology, and message. From a leadership perspective it's a coin with two sides - on one you have committed church attenders who want to worship and sing and participate, and on the other you have those who may be far from church culture and God and willing to try it in a risky journey into religious culture. Be aware. Be in the community, not just in the church building. Get Rolling Stone or Relevant sent to the office. Buy new music. Visit places (not just churches) where technology is being used on the cutting edge. Have an in depth conversation with a first time visitor AFTER the church service and get their honest thoughts.
Many time these ideas disintegrate into a debate over style. From the church looker standpoint, ask yourself if you are putting yourself first or the body of Christ. If the body is first Christ you are looking to serve, not for style. However a church that refuses to engage and be relevant with the culture God's placed them in the midst of, serving their neighbors in ways that show that they KNOW their neighbors, will become in-grown and selfish in the same way, trying to rescue people from Hell who have already been rescued.
One last note. If you notice changes that need to be made in your church's culture or operating, start by making those same changes in you own life. Not in the ministry you're involved in, but your own heart. Not only will you learn deeply about the changes you want to see, but lead by example and you will have a foundation to stand on when when the time comes to suggest changes on the full scale.
So today I wanted to write about the part that, while a very passionate subject for me, is most misused in determining a church home - music and technology.
There is an undeniable factor of welcome and cultural awareness that is very important. If you deny the direction of current music and cutting edge technology then you are burying you head in the sand of the world that Christ has put you in the midst of to reach. But often we who are tech-geeks and/or musicians elevate these things above much more important parts of a body because they can make us uncomfortable and we see weakness instead of opportunity. So maintain the balance - always be open, no matter what the aspect you're evaluating, to using the passion that comes to light in your heart when you see "weakness" as a potential way for you to be used and not a reason in itself to attend or not attend a church.
That being said, a church should be AWARE of the culture that it is in and this is most often reflected in things that are very visible on a Sunday morning, like the music, technology, and message. From a leadership perspective it's a coin with two sides - on one you have committed church attenders who want to worship and sing and participate, and on the other you have those who may be far from church culture and God and willing to try it in a risky journey into religious culture. Be aware. Be in the community, not just in the church building. Get Rolling Stone or Relevant sent to the office. Buy new music. Visit places (not just churches) where technology is being used on the cutting edge. Have an in depth conversation with a first time visitor AFTER the church service and get their honest thoughts.
Many time these ideas disintegrate into a debate over style. From the church looker standpoint, ask yourself if you are putting yourself first or the body of Christ. If the body is first Christ you are looking to serve, not for style. However a church that refuses to engage and be relevant with the culture God's placed them in the midst of, serving their neighbors in ways that show that they KNOW their neighbors, will become in-grown and selfish in the same way, trying to rescue people from Hell who have already been rescued.
One last note. If you notice changes that need to be made in your church's culture or operating, start by making those same changes in you own life. Not in the ministry you're involved in, but your own heart. Not only will you learn deeply about the changes you want to see, but lead by example and you will have a foundation to stand on when when the time comes to suggest changes on the full scale.
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