I am reading Don Miller’s Blue Like Jazz (I know, I’m like three years behind everyone else here). His chapter titled "Belief" is generally excellent, and had this thought:
I don’t think any church has ever been relevant to culture … unless it believed in Jesus and the power of His gospel. If the supposed new church believes in trendy music and cool Web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people to be passionate about nothing.
I wholeheartedly agree with that. While it’s not a sin to have a great web page or use high-end technology in worship services, the tendency to idolize such things should give us pause before we embrace their use in our churches. Being cool is not a gospel, and it’s very easy for church leaders to assume that some new technology coming down the pike holds the key to fruitfulness in the kingdom (podcasts, for example). Those things make fine tools, but it’s important to remember they aren’t Jesus. Relationship with Jesus is what changes people, not hi-def video projectors or flashy websites. Let’s use whatever we can, certainly, but let’s not fall prey to the idolatry of believing that some new technology is going to save the world, or make our church relevant.
Be sure to read his follow-up, Searching for God Knows What. (even if it takes another three years *wink*) I'd love to hear what you think about his to Own a Dragon when you've finished with it.
I've finished Simply Christian (fabulous) and beginning Colossians Remixed (with a little Bonhoeffer thrown in to fry my brain.)
I actually ordered all of Don Miller’s books awhile back, so I have them all on my nightstand, waiting for me. I guess I’m kind of reading them in reverse order, though.
I loved To Own A Dragon, perhaps I’ll post on it sometime. I think it made great reading, even for people who grew up with a great dad, because somewhere back there we all have a “father wound” and eventually if we’re going to grow to maturity in Christ I think we all need to switch fathers, so to speak. I thought it would make a high school graduation present for any 18-year-old male.
I loved both Simply Christian and Colossians Remixed. Hope you enjoy them!