Old church / new church
Most churches are run by and for nth-generation Christians, with the sort of church teaching and social life that they are accustomed to, and often in the style the leaders remember as an ideal from their youth.
Problem: what suits long-standing Christians doesn't do much to help enquirers and new believers to change from their positively non-Christian way of life. What should we do to help them?
Here are some comparisons of what we will, for shorthand, call 'old church' and 'new church'. They are meant to stimulate some thinking at the turn of the second Christian millennium.
Some will challenge you. Some you will think are unfair. In some, you might find insight on how to make your church better.
1) Presentation and style
Speakers wear:
oc) Dark suit, (ex-1900s), or jeans and grubby trainers (ex-1960s).
nc) Smart casuals.
Chairs set out:
oc) Straight rows, as for public lecture.
nc) Curved rows, as for friendly meeting.
Coffee / tea in:
oc) Matching china teacup and saucer.
nc) Assorted mugs or disposable cups.
Birthday celebrations:
oc) Sing 'Happy Birthday to You' for the children only.
nc) Plus the 'May Jesus Bless You' verse, adults' birthdays also recognised. Also cake shared round sometimes.
Immediately the service ends:
oc) Discuss church arrangements and non-spiritual matters. Go home smartly.
nc) Members often pray together in twos and threes. Elders pray with people. No hurry, it's a time for meeting friends.
Music:
oc) Pre-1960, hymns only. Leaders' preferences rule (you are free to worship elsewhere).
nc) Mixture of old hymns and new songs. Church members' views canvassed from time to time.
Speakers' commonest remark:
oc) 'Time is passing, we must hurry on.' (Why? Will God not give his blessing if the last two points are omitted?)
nc) Generally more relaxed attitude.
Testimonies:
oc) Of conversion only. New converts are usually young people.
nc) Members frequently invited to testify how God has blessed them recently.
Midweek meeting:
oc) Straight in to talk.
Lecture style - no feedback, contributions or questions. Several doze off after 30 minutes.
(Unsuited to enquirers or young Christians because the leader doesn't know what they think.)
nc) Newcomers introduced to group. Members share news, auntie's health, how children are doing, Karen passed her driving test; plus prayer if appropriate. (This is fellowship in the proper meaning of the word.)
All encouraged to contribute on the passage and how it can help in life, and to ask questions about the Bible and the Christian life. Enquirers encouraged to say what they think (without being rudely corrected!).
2) Assumptions about the church members
Occupation:
oc) ABC1.
nc) All sorts.
Financial status:
oc) Secure employment and income. No money worries. No-one ever prays about financial problems (except for missionaries).
nc) Uncertain, sometimes out of work. Sometimes/often hard-up. Peoples' prayers for one another often include money matters.
Family life norms:
oc) Not divorced or single parent family. Children all doing well. Marriage, children and family talks by invited special speakers occasionally.
nc) Divorced Christians welcome and have a place in the church, also single parents. Help with coping with bullying, drugs, non-progress in school, welfare bureaucracy, bad attitudes. Regular Scripture teaching includes all aspects of family life as a matter of course. No need for outside 'experts'.
Intellectual level assumed:
oc) University level, e.g. Greek words, 15+ verses quoted per talk. Never use OHP, video or pictures except for children.
nc) Teaching style adapted to include those who never read books or poorly educated. Visual aids used sometimes. Jesus said preach and TEACH not lecture.
Christian knowledge assumed:
oc) Lots. Frequent allusions to Bible characters, doctrines, church history (makes new believers who don't know about them feel stupid).
nc) Allusions explained, so people learn about them. Church has a planned approach to teaching the Christian way, as well as to choice of sermon texts.
Religious background assumed:
oc) Brought up in Christian home, good knowledge of Christian life and church ways.
nc) Teach basics of Christian daily life e.g. why we say grace, bringing up children, being a Christian at work / neighbour.
Illustrations in talks:
oc) Many date from 40+ years ago, though most people watch TV 2-3 hours/day. All male interests: cars, sport, DIY. Not much from ordinary life.
nc) Relate to current interests of ordinary people. Balanced, includes clothes, babies. Friends, money, food, children, work.
3) Relationships in the church
Pastor to elders:
oc) Business model - pastor is the boss, elders/deacons middle management (members are the workers). Pastor minds his own spiritual life, meets with other pastors for mutual support. Not accountable to anyone.
nc) First among equals, remembering how the apostle Peter said: 'As a fellow elder, I . . . ' Pastor and elders mutually share their spiritual needs. Pastor relates to his elders, not alone on a pedestal.
Pastor to members:
oc) The expert professional: the head of the organisation to clients or public.
nc) Family model: (given in Scripture) older and younger members of the family.
Member to member (as in after-church conversations):
oc) Keep yourself to yourself. Mind your own business.
nc) Share ups and downs of life, work and feelings, with friends.
Together we are:
oc) All good people - temptations never mentioned, like: overweight, smoking, national lottery, soft porn on TV, drinking to excess, loneliness (singles).
nc) Sinners being saved - Scriptures applied to all these. Advice and help offered on overcoming temptations, including besetting sins.
Social life:
oc) New Year party, Sunday School treat.
nc) Church meals, outings, time spent together, non-religious activities. Church life is adapted to help singles.
4) Some old-fashioned church strengths - don't lose them!
Sermons and talks:
oc) Compare favourably with evening class talks, well prepared.
Have structure and clear points.
Talks are planned over a period to teach the Christian faith.
Speaker explains what God is saying in a passage from the Bible.
Deals in-depth with his chosen text or passage, so people feel: 'Now I know what that passage is all about.'
nc) Amateurish, would be sacked for incompetence.
Rambling, cliche-ridden, religious waffle.
Talks based on repetitive selection of favourite themes and texts.
Speaker gives his thoughts on a topic, supported by proof-texts.
Jumps about, mentions so many verses that new believers feel confused and ignorant, don't learn anything much.
This page is taken from 'Where have all our young people gone?' by John Delius. You can get a copy by email: cfjk@zetnet.co.uk
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