The NEW Church?

My husband and I have decided to start looking for a church to join. We were both raised in church-going families, and definitely have faith. However, our outward expression of that faith (for example, going to church or reading the Bible) have been...well...lacking. With some encouragement from friends we decided to try their church.

Before I start to much let me just say that I really enjoyed this church. The people were all very friendly...definitely people I could identify with. I could see attending other functions with them and having a genuinely nice time. The pastor had a great message, and was able to drive it home with real-life applications and humor. The music was contemporary and uplifting...not for everyone, but definitely our style.

But as I was sitting there, I started looking around at everyone...something I was taught not to do growing up, but couldn't resist. The crowd was mostly 20's and 30's. Lots of young couples, but some singles as well. The unifying trait of this crowd was that everyone (except me) was wearing jeans, and a casual top (sweatshirts, plaid shirts, etc). The pastor made references to the movie, "The Princess Bride"; there was a live band with amazing vocalists and instrumentalists, and the alter was covered up with a projector screen. Even the communion wasn't traditional in the sense that they put bread and grape juice on several tables and told you to help yourself as you pleased over the course of the following few songs.

It's definitely not the church I grew up in (which wasn't even that "strict") where there was order the service (i.e. processional, recessional), order to communion, suits and dresses...maybe even hats for the ladies. There was room for the occasional humorous joke or anecdote, and it wasn't a threatening sermon by any stretch. But, it's still very different from this church we attended yesterday.

But as I sat there listening and watching, I thought this change to a more contemporary seems to be working. I know of many other churches in our city that are doing the same thing. And both of yesterdays services at this church were full and lively.

And it made me think...has any other generation in recent history changed the tradition of church-going as much as ours has? And I don't think it has. I think we were the first generation in awhile to step up and say "hey, the church thing is great, we love praying and worshipping but let's do it this way instead. Let's add music WE like, dress how WE'RE comfortable, and do away with some of the unnecessary structure".

Not only have they asked for this change but they've gone out and gotten it for themselves. With the exception of the pastor, everyone who participated in the service was in their 20's. There were several people putting the years of music lessons their parents paid for to good use yesterday. Several others were mentioned as missionaries in the flyer. And there were many others who were participating in Bible studies, organized activities, and simply reaching out and saying "hi" to the "newbies" or offering prayers to those in need.

Based on observation, this change to a more contemporary service seems to be working for the younger demographic. More and more churches in our city that are doing the same thing, or at least offering one "contemporary service". And both of yesterday's services at this church were full and lively.

And ya know what? It made me proud of my generation. I'm sure other generations have thought about shaking things up, but this seems like the first time that it's been done successfully in awhile. So many talk about the Generation X and Y as the "do nothing" crowd, the generation with no clear identity or focus, and yet those are exactly who we can credit for this change.

Now to me, whether you're Christian or not, isn't the point, I'm just glad that people in my generation, and the one after it, are showing people that we CARE, we'll stand up and DO something about it. And that's pretty cool!

While I still don't think I can bring myself to wear jeans to church, I will definitely be going back to this church and enjoying the gifts it has to offer. But as I sign off, I ask you: what do you think of the "New" church? Do you think other generations in recent history have done changed the tradition of church too; or are we the first?

~M