Just so I'm not misunderstood, here's my definition of "traditional" church:
A church whose mission focus and front door is the Sunday Worship service, with the service's main focus being the sermon, and whose supplemental programs focus almost exclusively on classroom learning.
According to this definition, most "contemporary" churches are the same as traditional ones, just with different instruments.
I've been challenged by several parties to say something nice about them. Here goes: they did a great job teaching a lot of people music. Almost all of the best musicians come from this church background (i.e., me) even if they don't stay there (i.e., me).
But the problems I hope to overcome are:
1) they are audience-focused, not God-focused, you couldn't meet God if you tried.
2) the services depend on a completely passive audience (yes, they do!)
3) since there is no time to connect, people never see the "real people" there, just superficial masks that add to a huge hypocrisy problem
4) only a handful of people "do ministry" on a weekly basis, and only because they are paid!
And I will also say this:
the traditional/contemporary church taught me that these four things are indeed problems, but these churches just don't realize that the format is what causes the problems, not necessarily the incredibly sinful people that don't listen.
We need to ask these questions now:
1) How can I teach in a way that leads people to God?
2) How can I encourage participatory learning?
3) What do I do to provide time for busy people to really connect with each other?
4) How can I let more and more people minister to each other (entertainment doesn't count!)?
The short answer is to make churches less like a night at the symphony and more like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. One changes broken lives, the other is an excuse to play dress-up and schmooze with people you don't even like. Which one is your church?
2 comments:
I can't say anything nice about the traditional church teaching me music. They actually did a bad a job of "teaching" me music. I learned in junior and high school band the nuances of music. Most services I've been to have actually been horrible at interpreting, reading, and performing the music as it was written. (Music ministers, choirs, and congregation.)
One thing the traditional church did that was nice in my memory was to provide an outlet for people to fulfill their need to volunteer. There was always permanent and temporary jobs to be filled.
i wish you could have seen my church in action. we have deacons who make visits & pray, a songleader who ministers at a prison, lay leaders who work with the jesus film project, people who hand out tracks & tell people about the lord, etc. in sunday school everyone speaks up, & sometimes we even argue a little, but at least it's not sit & listen only! of course, for all these people there are more who show up occasionally, drop a couple ones in the offering plate, never volunteer or get involved, don't think it's their job to tell anyone about jesus, etc. but, it is a traditional church with some great qualities, deep relationships, & sincere people.
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