I ask that you take aside some time to consider the following paragraphs and discuss with those dearest to you in your walk. I would love to get feedback. Life is all about a journey we do need to travel!
Why must the Western Church study Culture today?
Because of the incarnation. Jesus did it.
Cultural understanding is essential as good mission practice
Christendom and Modernity are in rapid decline
The West is in the midst of a huge cultural shift
The Church is in decline (numerically)
Current church practices are cultural accommodations to a society that no longer exists
Primary modes of communications in the Western world and culture have changed.
New culture means new organizational structures are required.
The “Boomers”( over 46.s) are the last generation happy with “modern Church”
Increase appeal of Spirituality derived from other religions
Many Christians no longer follow the religion of their parents 2nd generation not coming through!
If this sounds new to you or you have n't considered this -no problem. However it would be worth us as a community considering the future “state of play” so that we can be effective where we are in the changing world. This with the Spirit of God, blessing the plans and activity could turn the community around and increase the Kingdom.
As suggested at a recent Church meeting perhaps we as a Church should be concentrating on a work with the people who have moved to this area from other countries?
The days of Sankey we know are over, but people, the days of Hillsong and other Modern large praise events are probably on the decline.
Some churches are doing a “new” old church, when maybe the answer is a “new” new church!
I sense with others that the new generation of believers are looking for reality in Christian practice, no religiousness, more reflectiveness, less clutter and a strong “missional” discipleship under the code name in America of “Spiritual Formation”. (“Google” Spiritual formation!)
It is not a simple matter of the Church re branding. The changes in culture have been too great for a change in “window display”. Recall in the past the printing press and the education of the community linked to the church. The corresponding requirement for an engaging church in the community that is not a sub-culture but is or changes the culture is clear. This has not to be a liberal or compromising stance but rather relevance, rediscovery, and in fact more biblically based mission. The “Hillsongs” mega churches might not survive even if they don't ever make an impact in Highland Scotland.
The church needs to be looking at ways to deal with those who want to be submerged in the culture and not seen to be different from others and to the individualists who make a stand on his or hers pet conviction. A tough task. Yet I think there are those being groomed by God for the job some closer than you think.
