Epic Churches for Epic Times

E(xperiential)-P-I-C

“In the midst of one of the greatest transitions in history—from dodern to postmodern—Christian churches are owned lock, stock and barrel by modernity. They havae clung to modern modes of thought and action, their ways of embodying and enacting the Christian tradition frozen in patterns of high modernity.”

Leonard Sweet, “Post-Modern Pilgrims,” page 28.

“The postmodern economy is an “experience economy.” Some call this immersion living.” Others call it “The Emotile Era.” But whatever you call it, experience is the currency of postmodern economics. I the last half century much of the world has transitioned from an industrial economy (driven by things) to a knowledge economy (driven by bits) to an experience economy (which traffics in experiences.”

Leonard Sweet, “Post-Modern Pilgrims,” page 32.

“Total Experience” is the new watchword in postmodern worship. New World preachers don’t “write sermons.” They create total experiences.”

Leonard Sweet, “Post-Modern Pilgrims,” page 43.

“The degree to which we are captives of print and page was made clear at a gathering of Washington Presbyterians. I watched in amazement as the entire congregation of seven hundred people obediently followed the instructions in the bulletin, turned to the page for the black spiritual “Amen, Amen,” and read from their hymnbooks, with heads bowed and legs braced, the one-word song; “A-men, A-men, A-men, A-men.”

Leonard Sweet, “Post-Modern Pilgrims,” page 45.

Just the other day, my daughter commented on the “Sunday” worship at Evergreen Presbyterian Church (the church I pastor). She loves me, but she doesn’t love our worship. We have a bulletin, a printed (responsive reading) call to worship, a printed prayer of confession (read in unison), a printed assurance of forgiveness (responsive reading), a pastoral prayer that is concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and we sing the Doxology as the offering plates come forward. We have all the elements of “Presbyterian” worship. Guess what? We have almost no people attending that are between the ages of 16 and 30. Some students from the youth group are there (all but three are there because the have to be in order to go on the Mission Trip!).

Reading what I just wrote you would get the impression that we are your “typical” Presbyterian church—we’re not! Our worship has the best of contemporary and traditional music (slightly heavier on the contemporary side but without a drum set). I never wear a robe! Typically I wear a suit and tie once a month, a sport coat with or without a tie once a month and no coat or tie the rest of the Sundays. We have people in Sunday worship in jeans, shorts, suits and ties, dresses, pant suits—you name it. We use two projection units at the front of the sanctuary and one in the back (for the worship team and pastor).

We are a modern church trying to create an experience for the worshippers. Let me correct that—that is what I am trying to do with the blessing of the leadership of the church. Some people are enjoying the “experience” that is being created. Many (maybe most) don’t understand, “Why?” Our worship has been enhanced but there is still a problem—we are still a modern church!

So… what should we do? It is time for some “love-inspired audacity.” It is time to think outside the box—maybe we should blow up the box. Our Sunday morning is never going to reach the post-modern culture. We should create the best worship experience we can for those who do show up. THEN… we need to create new worship experiences for those who are a part of the post-modern generation. Our Saturday night service is closer to what would speak to a post-modern person. It is still not there yet. We need to keep evolving that service. THEN… we need to create worship experience (that may or may not be at our current location) that will TARGET a different culture. What will it look like? I haven’t the faintest clue!

How are you and your church confronting the post-modern culture? What suggestions do you have for what our church could/should do?