American churches have
become event driven. That used to mean something different than it does today.
In the past it meant special speakers or music groups; or even major
productions from their own choir, dance team, youth ensemble, etc. However,
things have evolved to the point that every Sunday has to be "amazing,
exciting, you-don't-want-to-miss-this" type of meeting.
I think it has become
counter-productive. If you know anything about me, you know how much I hate
dull, lifeless worship services. That's not what I'm talking about. But I
believe gathering as the Body of Christ, giving our praise and worship to God,
hearing the Word taught, and fellowshipping with other Believers is pretty
exciting. It doesn't need hype. It doesn't need a special media campaign every
week.
By generating a
"focus" for each Sunday service the mundane things (the Body giving
praise and worship to God, teaching of the Word, fellowship with Believers)
gets lost in the shuffle and placed as a secondary reason for gathering.
Instead of being
Event-focused we need to remain Process-focused. The process is making
disciples. The process is personal growth through worship and the Word. The
process is what Jesus came to demonstrate through His life among us.
Most will justify their
programs by claiming "it's for the millennials." Before them it was
the flower children, the Boomers, the Gen-Xers, etc., etc. We are so far
removed from ekklesia described in scripture that we don't even have a clue.
I don't know how to right
the ship. Fortunately this is mostly an American Church issue. Maybe other
countries will send missionaries (by the way, they already have) to help us get
back on course. I pray we find a way back to True Worship.
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