Church people flinched when Flip Wilson talked about the Church of What's Happening Now, back in 1974. It was an irreverent poke at black church culture then. Most church leaders frowned from ear to ear at such a humorous caricature of something as holy as the church in America. Many of us today wish there was a church of what's happening now in most of our own neighborhoods.
Contemporary isn't a bad word, you know. Its not a worship style, mode of dress, type of music, or a language. It simply means now. Trouble is, the contemporary church in these United States is typically the church of whats happening then. If you want to get specific about the "then" part, you'll just have to decide which decade most defines the process of the church. "Then" is that block of time in which they are stuck. Reggie McNeal used to say something about most churches being stuck in the 1950s, and if the '50s ever return, they're ready. Amen, and amen!
Well, the traditionalists have co-opted the word "contemporary" and turned it into the dark force, so to speak, of the current spiritual landscape. For me, it is more descriptive of process than product of a local congregation. Truly contemporary churches aren't necessarily sporting a modern veneer or chic persona. Instead, they are usually mission oriented bodies that have been stripped of organizational layers previously designed to inhibit action. Usually they are staffed with decision makers who have been empowered to serve and act. They know how to get things done in efficient, biblical ways. Most often they're not mired in legalese or church-speak. No, they major in plain talk and are organized for obedience. That is, obedience to Christ and not some list of religious rules designed to keep mission within controlled boundaries. Ooops! The control word. Careful!!!
Theological truth under girds the mission of contemporary churches. Maybe I'm a sixty three year old odd wad, but my faith isn't what it was fifty years ago. Sure, the fine people in those early congregations provided a foundation for faith and a model upon which to construct a disciples life. But, they taught me that personal faith was fresh and vibrant, an every changing reality in life as my inner man is renewed day by day. They also taught me the unchanging nature of the Good News and how the truth of Jesus altered every cultural movement in history. Those lessons also involved some teaching about old wineskins and how the really good wine will wear them out.
You'd have to have your head sewed to the basement carpet to miss the seismic shifts in American culture over even the past year. So, faith doesn't run and hide from that stuff. Jesus has overcome the world and is building a church that can withstand even the assaults of a totally secular world-view. Yes, we cling to the truth of Scripture, affirm sound doctrine and insist on it's teaching. But, we don't have to hide in a cave and dream of then, when culture knew its place.
Your church better get contemporary, and I mean that in the best sense of the word, or it will become passe, that is, unnecessary. When that happens, you can turn the church sign into a grave marker, and put the "then" date after the dash. It will help you and others remember "then", the day it died.
Me. I want to be a member of a church of whats happening right now! Glory!
Comments