It's Just Not the Same

While talking to a friend the other day, we discussed the concept of multiple campus's for churches to reach those far from God.  The comment back, was, "I don't like them because the sermon is on  a gigantic screen which makes it so impersonal.  I like to look the pastor in the eye as he preaches to me."   My response was, "I appreciate your need to have the speaker be in front of you, but is that the normal for everyday life today?  Do you have a tablet or laptop I asked?"  His response was, "Of course."  So I replied, "Do you ever watch a program on line?"

His quick reply was, "I know where you are going with this and it's just not the same."

Later I got to thinking about what he said and consider that I am not the target for winning those far from God.  What does the next generation do in their daily lives? According to statistics, people watch more than an average of nine hours a day of video whether by TV, laptop, tablet, or from an APP on their mobile phone.  They are use to getting their news, social updates and so much more via video.

So when they see someone on a video screen, they are quite comfortable and at home.  This was proven yesterday at our church.  About 500 people were watching the message on the screen and were frequently talking loudly to the screen in response to the questions asked by the pastor.  Like any sports activity on the television (in which people yell at the screen) young people grow from experiencing a message through a video.

At the end, we had several people who gave their lives to the Lord, not from someone yelling at them from being on stage, or giving a sobbing story, but through the video, people's hearts were convicted to change their lifestyle and become a child of God.

Now for those who say a video is not the same as a real person in front of them, I believe that if an anointed message stirs your heart, then how the message is given does not matter.  The goal should be reaching this and the next two generations far from the Lord instead of having a certain protocol.

Nothing is the same as it was years ago when I was young, but know that "the Message will never change, but the method MUST change."  (Thanks Ron for the quote)

As a 76 year old Christ Follower told one of his friends who was questioning the contemporary  church, "I'll be happy to stand on my head if that will help change one life.  This church does things different from what I liked but I cheer each week when someone gives their life to Christ.  It may not be the same as when I grew up, but I see lives turning toward the Lord.  I love being a part of seeing that life change."

Can you handle the thought that church does not have to fit your mold in order to be effective?