Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Different Strokes

This past weekend my family threw a baby shower for Crystal and me, so we spent a couple days in Mississauga.

Sunday morning we went to the church I grew up in, a church I haven't been to in a long time. It's a more traditional church; we sang a lot of older songs and the tempo was slower than what I am used to.

At first I was a little bit frustrated. Slow reflective songs are what I like during my alone time with God. In a large corporate worship setting I want upbeat, energetic music that people sing at the top of their lungs. (Song Of Hope, Everything, Bless Your Name, Rise And Sing) If someone walked in off the street and came into a room of people singing about "Jehovah Rapha" or "Jehovah Nissi", would they understand what's going on? Would they feel comfortable?

But then it hit me. I looked around and saw a room filled with people who were loving it. Arms raised, crying out to God, tears rolling down their face. In that moment God spoke to me and said "Don't you see what I'm doing here?"

Crap. AJ you're an idiot.

I'm sure the church wants to reach the lost, but their primary "target" is someone who already has a relationship with God. They are a church for baby boomers. If all churches planned a service the way I think it should be done, 90% of people in the community would not go to church.

That's why we need a different array of churches. Some target young families, others on boomers and empty-nesters, others on seniors (who love hymns). Some churches emphasize a deeper relationship with God, others want to bring people into a relationship with God.

Different strokes for different folks. The message is still the same, the method of delivery is different. If the church is growing, (which it is), then we should be rejoicing. People are growing in their relationship with God and that is always a win, no matter what the method is.

Sunday the pastor's message was on doubt, but God spoke to me about something totally different. I'm far from perfect and He still has a lot of work to do.

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