Some of you will remember Boy Dylan’s song of this posting’s name.  Here are a few of the lyrics:

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

This was one of those weekends where you get hit upside the head with the fact that the times, they are a -changin’. 

On Thursday night I was told that I would be home alone on Friday night because Brandon was going to a movie and Jen and Linda were going shopping together.  Ever thankful that I don’t have to go along shopping, I asked Brandon where he was going to the movie.  He replied, “church”.  Now, having grown up in a denomination where even ATTENDING a movie was considered somewhat, if not outright sinful, I probed deeper (as this church was a member of this denomination).  Yep, it was a commercial movie that had been in theaters and now was going to shown on the “big” screen in church.  I had to ask, “where in church” and the reply was “in the sanctuary”.  Oh boy, the times, they are a-chang’n. 

Well, that was the first head slapper!  Due to scheduled events and such, we ended up going to church with Jen and Brandon.  Jen really likes the third service which is very contemporary.  (like some churches today, they have three services - one for the geriatrics, one for the gettin’ old and then the third one for the younger set)   We get into the building and the first thing you note is that there is SOUND coming out of the sanctuary and it is LOUD.  Upon entry, it is DARK and what little lighting is used over the congregation is black lit - so anything white really lights up.  And then, there it was the HUGH MOVIE SCREEN setting right in the middle of the platform.  (another note:  this church has dual wall screens which have been used for years for “regular” church - but for this third service, they bring in the MOVIE screen)  THIS is the SAME screen which was used to show a movie from a showhall the previous Friday (note the old term used for theater). The music was loud, but understandable.  The audience participation in worship was strong and  GOD showed up mightly and it was good.  This was the second head slap of the weekend.  But, it wasn’t over yet.  During some pretty good worship and prayer time, it was to be abbreviated for some “connection” time.  Yep, now you could go and get some beverage and a bagel and walk around and talk and hug and stuff like that, ALL IN THE SANCTUARY!  I’m certain that there are some old time evangelical and pentecostal folk spinning in their graves on this  head slapper as well as the previous head slappers.  The sermon (talk) was about SEX and educating our children!

You see, it is obvious that to reach this generation, changes HAD to be made and maybe if the church had been willing to change earlier, most of the kids I went to church with may not have walked away once removed from parental control.  Faith is a personal matter, but understanding faith and how to live faith in an increasingly faithless world is critical if the church has any hope in societal influence.   I love music in most forms and I love worship and if I don’t know the song, I love the atmosphere (although I prefer to sing along and having songs with repetitive phrasing would assist) and having the joy of expressing heart worship with others of like mind is fantastic to say the least.  MOSTLY  I loved seeing the YOUTH express their joy and love for Jesus, God’s Son sent to pay for our sins.

I have a sibling who is on a board of a church that is dying!  They recognize they need to change, but implementation of that change has yet to occur.  Most of the folk in the church are good, solid Christians, but they are content with their 1950’s style of worship and expression.  The church today must recognize that very few are driving 1950’s cars or using 1950’s technology for their daily lives.  So, why do we expect them to latch onto 1950’s expression of faith?  I’m talking about RELEVANCE to this day, to this generation.  I love the new “forms” of worship, technology and all, but it has to work WITH the Holy Spirit and not replace the Holy Spirit.  There is nothing more frustrating with technology gets in the way of worship.  (see my previous posting on this).

I am happy to have a step-daughter and grandson attending a church that recognizes relevance and making itself so in this time.  Hats off to them and their staff.  Keep up the good work and keep people flowing with and in “The River” and the power of the Holy Spirit!  As opportunity presents itself, I will be attending more of these services.  God bless the bold who dare to change the presentation, but keeps the message!

Lloyd