Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The Church and Trends
Why does the church have "trends?" Oh, I understand it socologically, but I am asking in a more theological vein. This post from the Out of Ur blog sent me to asking that question.
I also wonder if when we present such a God we are not supposed to cater the message and the medium to Him, as opposed to the other way around. As far as I know, 2 + 2 = 4 just like it always has and despite "new math" and all the other "innovations" in teaching, people still need to come to terms with that fact of addition written in that way. If a simple arithmetical statement is routinely acknowledged as so static, how can we treat the unchangeable Creator of all in a lesser light?
Somehow, I cannot help but be struck by the fact that if the church spent less time worrying about trends and more time dealing with God, we'd all be much better off.
Cross-posted at How To Be A Christian And Still Go To Church
Related Tags: trend, church, Christianity, unchageable, God, Christ
My friend's comment got me thinking because over the years I have seen the church get excited about "small groups", or about being "seeker sensitive," or "Vineyard worship music" and other various bandwagons the church jumps on for a season. And there have been many other trends that I wasn?t a part of like cell churches, or using the baseball diamond for assimilation, or the breakouts of laughing in the Spirit by certain types of churches, or radio preaching, or whatever it may be. Whatever the trend the routine is the same. First there is excitement, then early innovators adopt them (maybe not the laughing in the Spirit), then in time most churches may do it. But eventually, it passes and we wait for the next ?new? thing.The whole idea of "trends" in institutions definitionally devoted to the eternal and unchangable causes cognitive dissonance in me. Somehow when we chase the current, when we evaluate the fad, we lessen God. I mean to think a God about whom it has been said
Heb 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.is worried about a "trend?" Somehow I think what is important today to such a God was important yesterday and will be important tomorrow.
Rev 1:8 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
I also wonder if when we present such a God we are not supposed to cater the message and the medium to Him, as opposed to the other way around. As far as I know, 2 + 2 = 4 just like it always has and despite "new math" and all the other "innovations" in teaching, people still need to come to terms with that fact of addition written in that way. If a simple arithmetical statement is routinely acknowledged as so static, how can we treat the unchangeable Creator of all in a lesser light?
Somehow, I cannot help but be struck by the fact that if the church spent less time worrying about trends and more time dealing with God, we'd all be much better off.
Cross-posted at How To Be A Christian And Still Go To Church
Related Tags: trend, church, Christianity, unchageable, God, Christ
