The Futile Search for Relevance

Relevant. It seems to be the buzz word of the last decade for many churches. They are always wrestling with what it means to be relevant in this day and age. Just what will it take to reach the current generation? In an attempt to answer that question there are churches in bars, churches in coffee shops, churches in movie theaters, pastors in designer jeans, worship leaders as rock stars and fashion plates, couches replacing pews, door prizes at holiday services, organs being replaced with electric guitars, and  sermons packed with as many pop culture references as they can hold. Yet in spite of all that, no one really seems to be any more relevant than when this all began.

I've been to multiple churches that have introduced new services with a more modern format in an attempt to get a younger generation into the pews. A large part of the reason that I'm so sick of it is that I fall within their target demographic. I'm one of those twenty-somethings that they are striving so hard to show that this "isn't your parents church." I'm sick of being told what it is that I want and what it is that I will relate to based purely on my age. Truth be told, I like liturgy. I like learning from traditions that have occurred for years, decades, or even centuries. I like choirs. I like moments for quiet contemplation. I don't like raising my hands or clapping in church. I don't like feeling like I've ridden an emotional roller coaster upon leaving church. I don't like most pop influenced worship music. Yet, in spite of that, no one ever asks what I like. They simply assume that it must be the more modern option.

I don't think I'm alone in this. I know of many others my age who have left Evangelical, Pentecostal, Non-denominational, or Assemblies of God Churches for the calming traditions of Orthodox, Catholic, or liturgical Lutheran churches. Knowing that, I feel there is one major false assumption that is being made about our generation. Everything the church seems to be doing to reach us seems to rest on the assumption that when given the option we will always choose style over substance. It assumes that we will only be comfortable with "seeker friendly" vague Christian niceties. It assumes that we will easily swallow shallow repetitive praise choruses, but any deep hymn will be lost on us. It makes us into one big stereotype rather than looking at any deeper issue. And to be fair, I'm sure it's much easier to figure out how to make your church's music sound more like what's on the radio than to figure out how to make meaningful human connections in an age where everyone hides behind the veil of electronics.

The whole basis of the core of Christian theology lies in the fact that the truths it contains will never cease to be relevant. The is no expiration date for love, compassion, care for others, forgiveness, and humility. You can repackage it all you want, but if you're focusing primarily on that package, I think you're missing the point.

Theatre Church

As you probably know, I am rather fascinated by both how Christians have adopted their own consumer culture and the various attmepts to ensure that Christianity is "relevant" to the current generations. Lately I've been wondering how long it can possibly be until those two worlds collide and "secular" consumer industries start marketing things to the church in order to help them in their quest to be more relevant. It looks like that day is already here.

Yesterday, in my quest to get one more Oscar nominated film under my belt before Sunday, I went to a matinee at the local AMC theater. I usually frequent independent theaters (we have some amazing ones here in the Twin Cities) so I always forget that the chain theaters mean at least 20 minutes of commercials, previews, and various theater promotions. Due to that forgetfulness, I arrived early and had to sit through all that promotion. But in the midst of all the clips telling me to go get a Coke in the lobby or join the National Guard, there was one that I hadn't seen before. There was a promotion in the middle of all of this encouraging me to "grow [my] church at the movie theater." Apparently AMC theaters now have an established program of recruiting people to host church services in their theaters as a strategic growth strategy for new and multi-site churches.

The other reason this caught my attention is because awhile back there was some media coverage about a new church meeting in a local theater. It received the typical charming oddity human interest story spin of "Who'd have thought?" Now I know who: AMC theaters and Fathom. That's who thought.

I want to make it perfectly clear that I have no problem with the idea of renting a theater for church and am making no statement on the churches that meet there or their beliefs. It may be a very cost effective option for them that fits into the model of what they want their church to be. Although, I personally would have a very had time focusing on the sermon if the smell of popcorn was wafting in the air. But then again, I'm kind of addicted to popcorn and have a bad habit of not eating enough breakfast prior to leaving for church on Sunday morning. :) If this model works for someone, that's great. I just wanted to mention it because I had been wondering how long the church could seek to find it's place in American culture until American culture realized the opportunity that existed in marketing to the church. I thought this was a very interesting example of that. If you are as curious as I was, you can check out more information at http://www.fathomtheatrechurch.com/