Thousand Hills
Active Member
I know there was a thread earlier in the year about Churches dropping the Baptist name, and obviously I'm sure there's plenty of past threads about seeker sensitive churches. But, here is a recent article I'd like to throw out with some selected sections. http://www.tennessean.com/article/2...18/More+churchgoers+ditch+their+denominations
Pete Wilson likes Baptists.In fact, he used to be one. But when he launched interdenominational Crosspoint Church 10 years ago, Wilson dropped his Baptist ties. He believes what Baptists believe, and he appreciates the mission work they do. He just doesn't see the personal benefit to being part of any denomination."It just seemed like a lot of meetings and a lot of talk," Wilson said. At the same time mainstream denominations lose thousands of members per year, churches such as Crosspoint are growing rapidly — 15 percent of all U.S. churches identified themselves as nondenominational this year, up from 5 percent a decade ago. A third dropped out of major denominations at some point.Their members are attracted by worship style, particular church missions or friends in the congregation.
Stetzer points to what he calls the "Willowback phenomenon" as a cause. Thousands of churches now follow the methods of two super-size
megachurches — Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Ill., and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.Both stress contemporary music and sermons and services that make the unchurched feel at ease. Both downplay doctrines and denominational differences. As churches embraced those methods, ministers began teaming up with churches doing things the same way rather than churches in their home denominations.
Faith Lutheran's pastor, the Rev. Rick Hoover, said doctrines matter, even if churches downplay them. The earliest Christians wrote creeds and theology that made their beliefs clear. On the table in front of Hoover sat copies of Lutheranism 101, a book published by the Missouri Synod, and the Book of Concord, a collection of Lutheran teaching."We were a church that wasn't afraid to write down what we believed," he said. Hoover said many churches have taught their members and their children that doctrines don't matter. He says that that's a mistake and that churches should be clear on what they believe and work only with churches that share those beliefs. "We are here because of doctrine," he said. "Not because of worship styles or friends. The doctrine matters."
But he fears that affinity over methods has watered down what Christianity means. He said that many churches haven't passed on the faith of the past found in creeds and other church teachings."The issue for me is not giving in to the increasing secularization of the church, making the church a business and worship entertainment," he said. "It hollows out the faith in the name of giving us more adherents. But we are not sure what those adherents believe."Wilson sees at least one downside in the new affinity-based networks. They are fickle and can dissolve as quickly as they start, like un-friending someone on Facebook. "At the end of the day … I can just walk away," he said.
Should the local church focus primarily on the saved or unsaved? Am I wrong to believe that the primary purpose of the local church for believers to come together and worship, edify one another, and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord? When in attendance, should the unsaved not be so convicted by the Holy Spirit working through the preaching of God's word that they either run away or fall to their knees?
Pete Wilson likes Baptists.In fact, he used to be one. But when he launched interdenominational Crosspoint Church 10 years ago, Wilson dropped his Baptist ties. He believes what Baptists believe, and he appreciates the mission work they do. He just doesn't see the personal benefit to being part of any denomination."It just seemed like a lot of meetings and a lot of talk," Wilson said. At the same time mainstream denominations lose thousands of members per year, churches such as Crosspoint are growing rapidly — 15 percent of all U.S. churches identified themselves as nondenominational this year, up from 5 percent a decade ago. A third dropped out of major denominations at some point.Their members are attracted by worship style, particular church missions or friends in the congregation.
Stetzer points to what he calls the "Willowback phenomenon" as a cause. Thousands of churches now follow the methods of two super-size
megachurches — Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Ill., and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.Both stress contemporary music and sermons and services that make the unchurched feel at ease. Both downplay doctrines and denominational differences. As churches embraced those methods, ministers began teaming up with churches doing things the same way rather than churches in their home denominations.
Faith Lutheran's pastor, the Rev. Rick Hoover, said doctrines matter, even if churches downplay them. The earliest Christians wrote creeds and theology that made their beliefs clear. On the table in front of Hoover sat copies of Lutheranism 101, a book published by the Missouri Synod, and the Book of Concord, a collection of Lutheran teaching."We were a church that wasn't afraid to write down what we believed," he said. Hoover said many churches have taught their members and their children that doctrines don't matter. He says that that's a mistake and that churches should be clear on what they believe and work only with churches that share those beliefs. "We are here because of doctrine," he said. "Not because of worship styles or friends. The doctrine matters."
But he fears that affinity over methods has watered down what Christianity means. He said that many churches haven't passed on the faith of the past found in creeds and other church teachings."The issue for me is not giving in to the increasing secularization of the church, making the church a business and worship entertainment," he said. "It hollows out the faith in the name of giving us more adherents. But we are not sure what those adherents believe."Wilson sees at least one downside in the new affinity-based networks. They are fickle and can dissolve as quickly as they start, like un-friending someone on Facebook. "At the end of the day … I can just walk away," he said.
Should the local church focus primarily on the saved or unsaved? Am I wrong to believe that the primary purpose of the local church for believers to come together and worship, edify one another, and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord? When in attendance, should the unsaved not be so convicted by the Holy Spirit working through the preaching of God's word that they either run away or fall to their knees?
