Every church desiring to be missional must deal with the postmodern world. Many churches want to insulate themselves from the “evils” of postmodern culture. Some are intentionally seeking to reach people who struggle with postmodern worldviews. But, who or what are postmoderns anyway? Ed Stetzer, in his book Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age describes those who embrace postmodern philosophy this way. He says Postmodern thinkers know “that everybody has their own point of view and all are equally valid.”
Some are tempted to think that postmodern thought is specific to a particular age group. Stetzer tells us however, “The world view we identify as cultural postmodernity is not new in academia, the art world, or even in many major cities.” A 60 year old artist from Austin might be thoroughly entrenched in postmodernity while a 24 year old banker in Denton might hold modernist views.
Since most churches are still dealing with modernity, the postmodern world looks pretty scary. Many churches have not engaged postmoderns because they don’t want to have contact with the value system of the postmodern world. Stetzer says “it is much easier to deny its power than to acknowledge its influence.”
What if Paul and the other apostles had done the same with the 1st century pagan world? Paul wouldn’t have engaged the Greek thinkers of Athens in Acts 17. Paul and the traveling apostles did not accommodate the Gospel to pagan thought, but rather engaged that world with the truth of Christ. Thankfully, today, many churches faithfully are choosing to engage the culture with the truth of Scripture – “becoming missionaries in a culture they have not traveled to, but which has instead traveled to them.”
How are they doing that? Postmoderns find truth to be that which is expressed by a community of people rather than truth which can be rationally explained or proven. Churches reaching postmoderns emphasize the kind of “truth lived out” community found in the early Christian church of Acts. Cultural postmodernism rejects many of the lies of modernity: that happiness could be found in success, that peace is achieved through human progress, that man is inherently good. Churches reaching postmoderns find this pessimism healthy, and find in it a touch point for understanding the Law/Gospel principles which Lutherans particularly emphasize. Postmoderns utilize many vessels, styles and forms for sharing of thought and information. These include a rather eclectic range of musical tastes, electronic communication, and a return to the visual arts, an embracing of literature both ancient and modern. Churches reaching postmoderns use these styles in their worship settings, music, visual arts and communication of Scripture.
Stetzer says the 10 traits most frequently found in churches reaching postmoderns include:
1. Being unashamedly Spiritual
2. Promoting incarnational ministry (living in the culture)
3. Engaging in service
4. Valuing experiential praise
5. Preaching narrative expository sermons
6. Appreciating and participating in ancient worship patterns
7. Visualizing worship
8. Connecting with technology
9. Living community
10. Leading by transparency and team
Is your church engaging that culture? Are you ready to cross over to share the Good News? Check out the website of Austin City Church, a church actively engaged in reaching people in a Postmodern culture at austincitychurch.com
(PK)
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3 comments:
Paul...I was surprised that music and small groups did not appear on the list of 10 characteristics. Or are these traditional terms buried in number 4 and 9?
I hope that you and Becky are well. Karp
Bill...You are right. Music shows up in experiential praise and small groups in community.
Although many of those who study worship "traditions" may not admit it, I find it interesting that "postmodern" worship traits seem to echo what historic orthodox Christian worship (even in the Lutheran tradition) has always offered. Being "unashamedly spiritual?" Enter a Gothic cathedral or even a modest church not designed to look like a lecture hall and you have a start. The liturgy offers God's Word every single Sunday. . . doesn't get much more spiritual than that. And we haven't even mentioned the sacraments! Postmoderns should appreciate the honesty of Law and Gospel--no political correctness here. I hear postmodern worship uses candles now. . . some of us never abandoned them! I'd personally save the expository preaching for Sunday School and stick with law and gospel edification; but you are right--whatever the case, none of us, postmodern or not, wants to sit through a dull, pointless sermon, only to be awakened by our pewmate's snoring. "Experiential praise" is a loaded term, but quality hymnody is always best when led by choirs, children, brass, strings, organ and whatever else we have around, like we'll have for the Festival of the Reformation. Nothing gets people singing like some excitement in music leadership, and we don't have to abandon quality hymns and liturgy to do so. Orthodox worship is not unemotional, but it is balanced. "Visualizing worship?" Let's rethink our architecture so it looks like a church and stands as a witness to the world. "Connecting with technology?" If we didn't have email or music writing software I would be up a creek. And unlike its more adaptable counterparts of centuries ago, my new pipe organ wouldn't work without electricity! Living in community and "leading by transparency and team?" This is what a healthy church does anyways. . . that we may fail has to do with being sinful humans rather than not subscribing to a particular missional mentality. I'm glad to see the ancient, historic, timeless Church Universal is finally making a comeback in some circles! All my postmodern friends here in Plano (I am of that generation, too) will be so glad to hear it!
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