the quakers didn’t change and they are almost non-existent. if they want to survive they will have to.
Not necessarily. At what cost to the message?
can i say first now? L O L
Yes, I agree with the first comment.
no. churches are corrupt enough, and have sick enough ideas that they should, if anything, receed.
Even if they did, I still wouldn’t go.
Somewhat
wow yeah, I agree with first comment as well.
dont really care.
no.
if they do, it’ll get to the point where everyone goes to church for the wrong reasons.
a lot of modern culture is shaped by satan.
Should? No. Probaby will have to? Yes, just to stay alive. *sigh*
they already are, and i’m not sure if they should.
No. Contemporary churches are like, sugar coated in my opinion. I’ve learned more from traditional churches rather then contemporary. I’m not saying they’re bad, I just don’t prefer them.
Me_Unplugged is totally right
Do you mean change by taking a little bit of God out? I’d say no to that.. Hmm… change. As far as music, yes allow more contemporary Christian music. But don’t take out the Bible.. Churches already do that way too often.
not necessarily. i think a lot of people are still attracted to the traditional aspects. i remember, when i used to go to church, they’d play these awful rock or pop songs about Jesus and heaven and so on. it was their attempt to become more modern, and it repelled the teens faster than anything i had ever seen. attempting to become more modern can lead to ultimate tackiness.
Change methods to reach an ever changing culture, but don’t change foundational beliefs.
Nah, stick to your beliefs….but leave me out of it.
Change how? Style of worship, or doctrine?
Martin Luther made big strides when he started the congregational singing of hymns and liturgy, “praise songs” of that time, instead of just the choir/cantor singing, and also when he put the service in the people’s “mother tongue” – German, where he was. Translating the Bible and making it available to the common people, instead of chained in a library, made a huge difference, as well. Are we not doing the same thing today, in contemporary worship – making it more accessible to the people?
Nothing wrong with traditional, either…a combination is nice.
Perhaps.
Yeah, They should quit being so judgemental.
Candy
It wouldn’t make me go. It would still feel like mind control and hipocrisy just with KEWL13R WeRdZ
Should churches shape themselves in ways to reach out to modern people (who happen to live in modern culture)? Absolutely. Even Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that some might be saved.” This doesn’t mean that things like sin and the gospel message and a commitment to serving Christ can be compromised. However, valuing the trappings of the church, whether traditional or non-traditional, over those core things is compromise.
Depends.
i think they should change the music and certain aspects b/c i was raised in a traditional church and i felt very condemned alot of the time i go to a contemporary church and i like it much better
Just as long as they don’t change the beliefs the church was founded on, I’m cool with it.
And we should rewrite the Bible so people will be less offended by it.
But newer music or whatever is fine.
Yes, as long as the same morals are taught. Religion needs to be a living thing. It is quite possible to change without sacrifice.
Personally, I think more churches need to be open to recognizing similarities throughout religion. In fact, that might draw more people in, because things would make a bit more sense. That’s what I’ve gathered from my studies, anyway. ^_^;
It’s all about God, isn’t it?
No.
Yes, as long as the same morals are taught. Religion needs to be a living thing. It is quite possible to change without sacrifice.
Personally, I think more churches need to be open to recognizing similarities throughout religion. In fact, that might draw more people in, because things would make a bit more sense. That’s what I’ve gathered from my studies, anyway. ^_^;——
This is true, people can change…but morality is subjective, but salvation is not possible without sacrifice…isn’t it great that it’s already happend?
No. God didn’t change to reach people, and our Churchs shouldn’t either.
there are many organizations and affiliations that require minute changes in order for a chance of reaching out. it depends on the essential changes that need to be taken. but, for the modern age, perhaps there changes that need to be taken.
Everyone should read G. K. Chesterton’s hilariously incisive essay on this subject, “On Flocking.” A brief sample:
“Every feature of every church, from a cross on a spire to an old hymn-book left in a pew, refers more or less to certain things that happened about 2,000 years ago. If we do not want to be reminded of those things, the natural inference is that we do not want any of the buildings built to remind us of them. So far from flocking to them, we shall naturally desire to get away from them; or still more to clear them away. But I cannot understand why something which is unpopular because of what it means should become frightfully popular because it no longer means anything.
“A War Memorial is a memorial of the war, and I can imagine that those who merely hate the memory might merely hate the memorial. But what would be the sense of saying that, if only all the names of the dead were scraped off the War Memorials, huge pilgrimages would be made from all the ends of the earth to visit and venerate the absence of names on a memorial of nothing? Most of us would not devote our short summer holiday to visiting the ruin of what had once been the record of something we did not want to think about.”
How so? They cant change vallues. Socoiety shouldnt b so skanky
Change what? What the bible teaches? No
larry
Change methodology. Keep theology in line with the Bible. Why do you think the Bible doesn’t prescribe any particular method?
As long as they don’t change the Message…
That honestly depends on what type of changes you are speaking of. Changes like more contemporary music and a few jokes here and there during sermons, then it’s no big deal. But if you mean changing the message the church is trying to get across, then no.
Absolutely. It’s not like hymns written a hundred years ago are somehow more holy than songs written today. Why was the Bible translated from its original languages? To make it accessable to more people and more cultures. It’s no different than updating your church format or the style of worship or the songs you sing. As long as the service is still God-honoring, it’s a fabulous idea to update it to reach more people.
i guess it doesnt really matter, as long as the teachings don’t stray from the truth. i’m a member of a traditional church and i like it a lot…. it’d probably be my preference if i had to choose between traditional and modern.
Certainly they should reach out to modern culture. However, I don’t think it’s necessary to CHANGE to do that. I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with some churches being more “contemporary.” All of that is really not the issue. The most effective way to reach out to modern culture is to reach out to and love people that are a part of that culture. There is sometimes a tendency for Christians to completely insulate themselves from non-Christians, which is not what Christ did. What draws people into a church is much less the STYLE of presentation and much more the relationships with people. In my experience people respond to being loved and also to seeing the love of the body in action (the body of Christ, that is — seeing a community of believers loving eachother/ taking care of eachother).
What difference will it make? People still won’t attend. The rules of the church are on the stupid side. Like most people were saying, there going to have to, because a lot less people are attending church. To me Catholic Church is way to boring. I sit in a big room for an hour listening to wannabee opera singers singing “my god why have you abandoned me” as if its funeral music. It makes me want to shoot myself!
Cmf
modernized churches lose value.. It’s almost more focused on being modern then it is preaching the words of whatever supreme power the given religion believes in
I think so in some respects. I don’t think they should rewrite the Bible or change the doctrine or anything, but I think that the church should start keeping up with the times a little bit.
I remember reading something saying that 100 years ago, there were almost no atheists. Now, 1 in 6 people in the world claim to be agnostic, unreligious, or atheistic. I think that is in part because our churces have not been easily reaching out to younger people in the last twenty or thirty years.
Another interesting thing was something I read in USA Today a while ago. It was an article about gays in the church, and there was a sentence in there that said that our generation leads colorblind lives. Young people of today like myself have all kinds of friends-gay friends, straight friends, bisexuals, any religion, no religion, you name it. The church isn’t always willing to sanction people who aren’t necessarily “clean” or whatever, and thus, younger generations are abandoning the church.
Just something to think about.
Doctrinally, NO. As to various aspects of the worship procedure, sure, if everyone is fine with it, or as long as there are various options out there for those who prefer tradition.
Music and things will change with the majority of the church body’s taste changing. Culture in general just changes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, I know many churches are trying to be “hip” and “cool” to reach out to the younger generation.. but I’ve never met a person who felt compelled to go to a church only because they played rock music, or that they felt that church was superior to another. If the Church as a whole feels it has to change things to look like everybody else instead of, I dunno, trying to attract non-believers by being loving and showing them Christ, then I think that’s rather sad. It totally changes the focus from the message to the means, when they really should go hand in hand.
Though I think the Church setting trends in culture is rather cool. Look at the Renaissance and how monastaries helped to mold literature, or the beautiful buildings people built. The next point I’m going to make is just about my personal taste: I think trying to create the “Christian” Blink-182 or the “Christian” Brittany Spears is really tacky. Really really tacky. The Church (and when I put in here “Church” with a capital “C”, I mean all Christians everywhere) is filled with creative people armed with God-given imaginations- trying to shape itself after everyone else is just going to hinder it more. It’s focus and purpose will be changed from the message to the means. And it frustrates me seeing it happen. Grr.
it depends on how much. sometimes contemporary Christian music can kill worship and praise of God by focusing on emotions. and some of it is just plain cheesy. at my old church, one day we sang a really cheesy emotional arrangement of “may the mind” and some of the older generation said that they felt like they were in a broadway show rather than praising God. i’m not condemning contemporary music but it can cause some problems, so can hymns. some of the strongest Christians i know go to a modern church. a church must ultimately stay true to the Bible. if they don’t, then what’s the point? it’d be just a bunch of touchy feely weirdos or a group of legalistic jerks. but that’s only one side, a church shouldn’t be stuck in ancient times either. so, sort of yes but no too.
I think that churches should accomodate the modern culture to an extent–as some said, things such as music and architecture. However, other things–such as orders of the rituals, for example–should remain as they are. Being an ex-Catholic, I don’t know how the protestant churches are, but I had one hell of a boring time every sunday. So, yeah, the belief should be firm, but the way of expressing the faith could be changed, I say.
no…why should they. its good to reach out to those in need of spiritual help, but changing beliefs and practices definately shouldnt happen. of corse…there are certain things in my christian school that i would change…like the fact that we cant have dances.
it’s sink or swim… and if we don’t keep up with the culture in reaching those for Christ, then we’re going to lose to that very same culture. We live in a culture of audio/visual sensory… and we need to keep up with that in our church’s to reach the culture. Like I said… sink or swim, and since I’m in the audio/video ministry, I choose to SWIM BABY!
Yeah, they should close.
If you mean, like, being more accepting of the church outcasts, than yes.
But, if you mean, like, playing modern music and watching movies, than no.
if they want to.
to a certain degree yes…. certain denominations are going to more so than others though, so everyone can always find their little niche
yes, I think they should change their approach. Not necesarily the form of worship, but if the people don’t understand you, than what’s the point?
The lack of willingness to change scares me.
Change of method does not change the faith. If your faith is shaken by something so small, you mustn’t have had much to begin with.
Where your idea of salvation may not be possible without sacrifice, changing the method of teaching your faith is, without harm to the message.
There are more youth pastors now than there ever were before. Youth ministries are springing up everywhere. 50 years ago, practically no youthgroups existed in churches. I wonder why the number of Christian teens is going down. It makes no sense. Point being: in debates similar to these that I’ve had with numerous people, the amount of proof is far from adequate.
But, it does make perfect sense that things can change with the times. Sure, we can change a little bit, but I’ll give an example of a bad change: the translation of the Bible entitled “The Message.” I don’t know how many of you have ever read this, but it makes me sad. In an attempt to reach out to people who have never read the Bible and might not understand it, this new translation’s “hip” language makes the translation inaccurate. Regardless whether this was intentional or not, it’s very hard for me to read it without throwing my hands up. God’s Word can’t be changed to meet a “surface” need (the communication need)- that sacrifices the Ultimate Need (spiritual need of salvation).
And once again, surface needs should be met (communication needs, very important, you wouldn’t use English with an Amazon tribe). It’s exciting that people are reaching to meet communication needs, but please please please, don’t lose focus of the Thing everyone needs, regardless of what culture they’re from.
eh? yea somewhat like the catholic church yea. but some churches already…like evangelical (sp?) lutheran churches allow women to be ministers….& they’re somewhat more openminded. changes like that? yes… nd also i’ve noticed when i go to church with my grandma (shes catholic) the services are soo….idkk…they feel so…stiff…and like idkk really. but my church (i’m lutheran) is more lively and the pastor is a real person and his sermons are real life stories having to do with the scripture…its different and make the people feel more connected and comfortable.
& i also think that eventually priests are gonna have to be able to get married. b.c less and less people are gonna wanna NOT get married.
They shouldn’t change the message of Scripture, because churches that do lose their membership and lose their heart and soul (like ultra-liberal churches which hardly teach the divinity of Christ). But they also do all they can to reach out to people, and if that means having Rock and Roll music, so be it!
Yeah, like Christianity has so much difficulty in reaching Americans.
The outside “fluff” can be contemporary, traditional, asian, african american, dutch, nigerian or anything else as long as the content, the true beliefs don’t change. My daughter is in Haiti and went to a Creole/Haitian church. She didn’t understand a word, but she knew they were worshipping the same God. The main issue is that many contemporary churches water down the truths of the gospel and that can’t happen.
a little bit.
personally, i tihnk we should all just drop religion. I know its some peoples whole lives, but to me (total, no-religion type) it doesnt mean anything. I guess its just the way i was raised
In some things, yes….( i wasn’t able to get married in my parents catholic church becuase my ex and i had a child before we were married…the catholic church does not forgive as Christ has taught, that is for sure….and many other churches welcomed us with open arms because they realize that people make mistakes and can be forgiven….
As long as they don’t change the meaning of the message, I think that in todays society they will have to change some things (like the music) in order to keep the younger crowds coming. I prefer the old southern gospel stuff myself but I am learning to adjust to the new stuff and some of it is actually fun…..it’s great to see some of those 80 year old women at my church really getting into some of the new worship music. Great question.
the Churches, yes. The message, no. The truth of the Bible applies to all generations, but sometimes the way of reaching out with it needs to change to reach others.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that if the church doesn’t change, the more it will be come outdated and essentially be ignored. If anything, the church needs to focus more on the scripture, the morals, and teaching people to good…And less on picking out who they won’t accept and teach.
More ancient religions are flexible, accepting. They illustrate change as a part of their religion; they show beauty in diversity. And they’re still around. Makes sense to me, I don’t know about you…
“Renovations” of the original is required to bring them in line with modren thinking.
Any change to the Canon Law would be a confession that they got the message wrong in the first place.
Doctrine? Maybe. The Gospel? NO. Mass? Has in the past. The oldest institution on earth, the Roman Catholic Church has had to change to keep up with the times. However its message and impact have not.
I know I just commented but after reading some of the other comments, I am deeply saddened by the number of people that don’t have Christ in their lives. I would rather live my life as if there IS a God and find out there isn’t than to live my life as if there wasn’t a God and find out there IS one!!
I think modern culture should reach out to the truth, rather than that which they want to hear.
They shouldn’t change the message, but the method of getting the message out could stand adjustment. The main change required for the church is to take Christ seriously when He said, “If any would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” After that the church could stand to stop being program oriented and become people oriented. The one thing the church needs to concern itself and all its energies, is to love God with all our being, and love others (including enemies) the way God loves us.
In some ways yes, in others no… as for what those ways are, well that depends on the church.
Depends really.
<3333
Well I personally think they should just go away :]
NO. Goes God change? NO. The church should not change to accommodate the worldly. The church is the bride of Christ. Read Revelations. I think God sums it up pretty well and to the point about churches that change.
Where is spell checker when you need it? LOL I mean “Does” in my statement. Long day.
i dont think so. i like church just the way it is.
some do, and that’s good for some people. others stay the way they’ve always been, for the good of the church. i think it’s always important for churches to make their religion relatable with its members, but ‘modernizing’ isn’t critical.
A bit, but unless it is hoplessly outdated, most of it is good.
i think it all depends on what degree churches would be willing to go to.. also i agree with CynaraJane, it could contradict the teachings and messings that have already been instilled.
most definitely.
Define Change.
There are some traditional teachings that probably should change, but only because they are inaccurate distortions of truth introduced to convert the pagans and have stuck ever since. The basic message of the Bible should not change, and people need to understand that basic religious truth will not change just satisfy the whims of individuals. Also, I think that a more uplifting experience needs to be maintained. Church should not become a place where one goes to hear a mini rock concert on Sunday morning..
Well, the Message of Christ should really be spread so that people actually DO know about it…
Paul spoke of being all things to all people. This did not mean changing the gospel of Christ, but presenting the same message in ways that the Jews, Greeks, and Romans could all understand. Because of the very nature of the gospel, it will always be relevant. The key to maintaining our significance in the world is to remain faithful to the message of Christ. The more we try to change our message (ie conforming to the mindset of modernism, post-modernism, or other external philosphies) to adapt to the culture around us, the more futile the attempt becomes and the more irrelevant the church becomes.
No, I don’t think so.
Yes and No. But the real question is…which ones? :p
method yes, message no
Maybe change some things that this generation might adapt to better, for example the music, the homilys, et cetera, but I don’t think the ideas of church should be changed.
the ministry should adapt, if its in the church’s vision but the message should be the same: Jesus Loves you, and always will
absolutely
Do you think cultures should change when churches reach out?
saying no to modern culture would mean saying no to the mission field
If we are serious about our faith, the message can not change. I believe that the message of Jesus is timeless, that his life and his teachings can, under the context of understanding them in his world, be brought to our modern churches. Should we look at revamping our liturgy? yes should we explore different visions of ministry? yes. Should we work on removing all from our faith that is man made? yes. But JESUS will ALWAYS be the same.
To everyone who says ‘bah-humbug” to the church…I bet you would like Jesus. Jesus hated the teachings of the pharasies. Jesus spent his time with prostitutes, lepars, tax collectors…fishermen…all sorts of roughnecks. If any of you read this, please respond to this question…
What about Jesus don’t you like?
If they didn’t they’d still be preaching about hoe blacks are inferior and women should not be touched during their period (b/c they’re “tainted”). Clearly, at least some of the Bible’s values have changed to fit in with changes in society’s standards and norms.
oh goodness yes. its why i left my methodist, baptist, catholic, jewish, and lutheran church. i am kind of ucc now that i go to a ucc church, but it is modern and is contemporary. i like that.
I go to a contemporary non-denonminational Christian church that started in 1986 with 60 people, there are now well over 3,000. Alot of the congregation is younger. There’s a huge youth outreach program. So, yes! As long as biblical principles are followed and the sermons are based on the Bible. I wish I had known about this church when I was younger, I would’ve started going earlier.
They are.
um where have you been
they have changed ten fold to reach in a cutting ege way.
well the E free church has
Buddy Jesus.
‘Dogma’, anyone?
Depends on the church, really.
I think the reason a lot of people have a problem with churches is because it has changed. We need to bring it back to Acts 2
haven’t they already?
when ever you post something about religion, i read the comments and get a little depressed. a lot of commenters try to put down the church and they just don’t understand. I’m dealing with that from my non-chritian friends. I just think that you don’t know what church is or who jesus was until you’ve felt him. and i’m sick and tired of christians getting bad raps when people just don’t understand where i’m coming from.
i understand where they are coming from…i used to think like they do…to a certain degree. yet i still feel hated.
I haven’t been around a whole lot of different churches, so I don’t know how they all accept new people, but from hearing yall’s comments, I am saddened by the neglect some people are feeling from the Church. It just makes me want to try harder to reach people as people. I hope you peeps out there really look at Jesus, even if other people are sending out negative messages. Jesus let everyone in, even the people who hated him.
I guess, if they want more money.
On some things yes. There are things to change that matter, and those that dont.
Real changes mean more than just upbeat music, churches have to communicate to peoples souls, and matter to peoples lives.
Significant changes will be in how churches welcome and include people into the community, breaking down hypocrisy, and really tending to peoples spiritual needs.
Yes. I think some churches still act on the idea that there is only one interpretation to the Bible and with the invention of the printing press and a focus on literacy and the creation of a vernacular Bible, that way of thinking cannot exist in a dynamic and changing world.
Isn’t that sort of a church tradition?
to some degree.
Nein. If people truly believe, or if their Dogma is real, then they should survive good and well. It makes no sense to change your Dogma simply to fit the times and make it bigger… It only manipulates “God’s” word and falsifies it. They’d be contradicting themselves.
yes
I can’t give an unbiased opinion on this issue; I basically hate the church.
NO
i think that’s what they’ve always done… why stop now?
Shouldn’t change doctrine. Blend old music with new. But the church should be influencing the world, and unfortunately, it’s mostly the other way around. We need to get out of the pews and start living Jesus to those who won’t go to a church building. Care for the poor, homeless, etc.
Churches bicker and fight too much – that is what they need to change. They are so busy fighting over dumb things that they forget to realize what makes them a church in the first place. No matter how you worship God, the act is still the same. Singing old gospel tunes and rocking out to hardcore metal with the same lyrics accomplishes the same thing, only in a way that others can enjoy it.
Change isn’t always bad, but change simply to change – that is deadly.
Yes.
Think back to earlier times (go father, keep going…wait, wait, stop there, you should be around midevil times), and see how much women were involved in religion and the Church. At one point, correct me if I’m wrong, it was believed in some places (probably few) that women were unholy and wern’t seen fit to step foot in a church. Supossedly this was so because of (pulling this from Adam and Eve’s story) Eve’s sin of eating “the forbidden fruit”, the first sin of mankind. So women were thought of as the complete symbol of sin, the first to cause it, at this point of time.
At least that’s what I heard.
So, come back to the present. Women have traveled light-years for their rights, and are held equal to men by most decent people.
(EXAMPLE) Now, do you see and female priests in the Catholic Church? Nope. Some Protestant churches allow female priests, which is better than nothing. You judge whether this is a sign or not that the Church is still clinging onto the past.
This is only one example on how the Church needs to update their wardrobes. There are more. Can’t really think of any others right now, I got that stupid song “Buttons” stuck in my head.
I hope I haven’t offended toooo many people.
I find it hard to care, honestly. I feel tired of conditional love. The “I’ll only love and accept you if you’re a Christian” kind of love. I think the church needs to stop arguing over doctrines and realize we are all created in God’s image, even those of different religions. How can we say the whole world besides us is going to hell? If somebody views me as deserving infinite years of torment, I basically feel they think I am worthless. I personally wouldn’t subject a fly or an ant to that much pain, much less a human. “God loves you, that’s why your burning in hell for eternity,” to me doesn’t make sense. All I’m asking for is unconditional love, the kind of love that says I’ll be your friend NO MATTER WHAT. That’s just how I’m feeling right now. Pete.
In some ways, sure.
Superficially maybe, but otherwise no
An odd question. The true church is the body of believers in Jesus Christ. And they are commanded to reach out to those around them, who would presumably constitute a part of “modern culture”. Note that I’m not suggesting that the church CONFORM itself to modern culture. We are to be “in the world but not of it”.
i really think it is important. the whole organ and hymns are very stuffy and unwelcoming to most people of this time. and bible studies on up to date topics are all good. yes. i think they should do the very best they can to reach out to today’s culture.
Yes, and they should.
I think it seriously depends on the type of change we are talking about here. There is definately changes that will always need to be made, but the message and what is at the heart being taught should remain the same.
I think that churches should try to appeal to the culture in which they are present, but they should also be careful not to lose the integrity of the message while doing so.
The message shouldn’t change, but perhaps the method of delivery needs to move with the times. Hugs, Susan <><
It depends on the change. If you mean changing the way we go about things, then yes, there is a lot we could and SHOULD change. But if you mean compromising the message, then no, we should not change the message to fit the culture. This type of compromise is the same that was used to justify slavery, virtual enslavement of women, and a host of other atrocities simply because they were culturally accepted. The Churches message should be ageless, the only thing that should change is the ways to get the message accross.
Actually I suppose they are doing what u said, slowly.
no. i think that’s kinda what holds them together. if they change to meet our modern culture, who knows what would happen. suddenly it may be okay to do all sorts of things that are NOT okay. i think the modern world should make more changes to reach out to the church. or at least respect it.
Churches have changed quite a bit already. Churches can now record their sermons and transmit them via Ipod or internet to those who would just rather stay home. I heard a news report about a new style of churches that is basically ran by the youth. Thus it is big on the arts, technology, anything really insisting that a person’s time both at home and at church should be centered around worshipping God. So as long as churches like this exist, then the traditional ones can continue taking whatever steps each one feels is neccessary.
There’s nothing Christians can do to appear ‘cool’ to the postmodern crowd, and trying to do so only makes us look foolish. Christianity has lost a lot of credibility in recent decades by tagging after the latest trends and begging to be liked.
My personal bias is for churches to keep to themselves and quit harassing people.
reach out to modern culture, yes, conform to it heck no, never for any reason should the church stray from the bible or add anything to it, no, not, never
God meets you where you are … so should the church
some….there are enough of both traditional and modern to fit every niche. and there is a reason for that
I’ve been to many churches in my life, I guess I was looking for a place to help me change because I was not happy the way I was living. I believe that is a common reason for going in the first place (if we are honest with ourselves) or maybe it is because a loved one made us go. The churches that tried to be modern scared me and I had a hard time finding God in them. I felt as though they were there simply to put on a show and make everybody feel good. They wanted me to stay and add to thier numbers and join the giant party. The churches that were all about rules and works I never fit into (because I’m not perfect). They had alot of stipulations and statues of holy people but I never found God there either. The church I currently go to is somewhat conservative they have hymns, rules, and they read and preach directly from God’s word. They are friendly and open but are not there to entertain or even make you feel good and don’t condem you for not being perfect. They teach repentance, mercy and accountability. When I was an unforgiven sinner I thirsted for some type of accountability I wanted to change not blend! I didn’t go to church to be entertained or to feel better about my sin. I go to learn more about God and to be showered in his love and mercy; to worship him not the world! I was not only told what my sin was (against God and deserving of death) but how to change it (with the help of the Holy Spirit). I’m still not perfect, nor is being forgiven a license to continue in sin. I gained wisdom and support in knowing God is working in my life. To sugar coat the gospel, so people can take it easier, is not at all helpful it is dangerous. It can be a stumbling block to others and cause them to be blinded to the real truth of the gospel. Please don’t let the modern world and it’s sinfulness influence the conduct of the church. People are already becoming more and more tolerable of sin, churches should not ever tolerate sin. Read the writings of the Apostle Paul and God’s thought on the worldly effects on churches. These are my thoughts and feelings on that matter. Thanks for reading.
No they shouldn’t change even though Christian doctrines have already changed so much since Jesus just so they could “convert” others. I think it is ridiculous.
Yes! I know many already are–but Jesus met the people where they were, so why can’t we? In the world but not of it . . . it’s a hard line to draw in the sand, a hard one to keep from crossing, but it’s what we need to do in order to, I think, show the world Christ in a real and relevant way.
they used to a long time ago… which made them soooo strict… I’m talking Middle Ages where they ruled culture itself, and then vice versa.
So, I think if church wants to survive now.. then yes
If they want to reach more people
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! : )
Churches should take a stand and not change in order to conform to that which is politically correct. And so should people, for that matter.
When churches make a point of being modern and “progressive”, they completely invalidate themselves to me and I judge them as being nothing but marketers of a product. Their standards change in order to serve their customers.
There is a “People’s Church” in many cities, now that has a program bringing them in to the max. The church finds they need to have traffic directors, arrows pointing to orderly parking, huge parking lots, name tags, greeters, popular band music, overhead-viewed screens, ushers, car-pooling, church Bible studies, church school groups, Sunday school for the children of all ages, including young adults, and parental-guidance “Legacy” class, for those parents who “took ” their kids from the drug-users and other persons who society thought couldn’t handle taking care of kids. No, I think that is enough. That’s the max. Now we need to look at the real Jesus as He is, and listen to what He has to say about modern life, being here.
do what you gotta do. just don’t come knocking on my door. i will not convert, ever.
since churches are money making enterprises and could care less about representing the God they claim to represent, then “yes”…. they must lower their standards to the ever decreasing moral structure of society in order to keep the money in their pockets. churches retain no loyalty to uphold the never changing standards of the almighty being of the universe. they care about the bottom line of green paper.
i laugh when people cop out on the “but this is the modern day”. puhlease. do you still need food? air? love? acceptance? family? loyalty? happiness? yeah? huh, b/c humans have ALWAYS needed that. the basic principles of pre A.D. are as applicable today as they were back then. people just like to use “modernity” as an excuse to circumvent responsbility for their actions. “oh, but it’s different now……. that doesn’t apply to me….. blah blah blah.” brats.
since churches are money making enterprises and could care less about representing the God they claim to represent, then “yes”…. they must lower their standards to the ever decreasing moral structure of society in order to keep the money in their pockets. churches retain no loyalty to uphold the never changing standards of the almighty being of the universe. they care about the bottom line of green paper.
i laugh when people cop out on the “but this is the modern day”. puhlease. do you still need food? air? love? acceptance? family? loyalty? happiness? yeah? huh, b/c humans have ALWAYS needed that. the basic principles of pre A.D. are as applicable today as they were back then. people just like to use “modernity” as an excuse to circumvent responsbility for their actions. “oh, but it’s different now……. that doesn’t apply to me….. blah blah blah.” brats.
since churches are money making enterprises and could care less about representing the God they claim to represent, then “yes”…. they must lower their standards to the ever decreasing moral structure of society in order to keep the money in their pockets. churches retain no loyalty to uphold the never changing standards of the almighty being of the universe. they care about the bottom line of green paper.
i laugh when people cop out on the “but this is the modern day”. puhlease. do you still need food? air? love? acceptance? family? loyalty? happiness? yeah? huh, b/c humans have ALWAYS needed that. the basic principles of pre A.D. are as applicable today as they were back then. people just like to use “modernity” as an excuse to circumvent responsbility for their actions. “oh, but it’s different now……. that doesn’t apply to me….. blah blah blah.” brats.
sorry about the three comments.
Reach out yes. Compromise the standards of the Bible, no.
Define “change”.
yes, but don’t lose the important stuff. (the Spirit, the Bible, time in prayer). the type of music, the actual room…they’re not that important, are they? as long as they’re not promoting bad things, it’s probably okay if they’re not the traditional stained glass stuff.
I feel a bit out of place at some traditional church settings. but at the church I go to, they reach out to everyone and bring them God’s Message. who cares how they do it? (as long as it’s not through the devil)
They may have to.
yes. i just came back from a preaching conference where everything was so upbeat and dare i say that mass was actually enjoyable? just don’t change things to the point of sacrilege.
Do I think churches should change to reach out to modern culture? In what way? Mine basically is, especially the youth group. The youth group ROCKS!!! hahaha. And if you take a look in Christian bookstores, you’ll find modern teen Bibles, with questions every kid deals with (sex, drugs, parents divorcing, etc.) and good Biblical answers. Today I went in a Christian bookstore and found “Biblzines” which are like Bibles made to look like magizines. They’re pretty cool, I got one.
My church already has. It’s not catholic, and it’s not traditonal. You shouldn’t pass off all churches as tradtional or not modern. Theres a ministry for all the different grade levels and the music is modern.
Defenetly not. Actualy, while you were posting this I was at a camp where I learned how to reach out to change modern culture. I loved it. I learned (well, I knew this already) that as long as Christians stick to what Christ said the world will hate us. I personally would rather be loved by God then the world because He is the one I will answer to when I die, not modern culture.
> Try harder than they do or wanna….
Peace
Many many churches should work on their members to stop being such sanctimonious, eletist, ethnocentric, imperialistic, intolerant, fucktarded pricks.
Churches need to carefully reread what Jesus had to say about stuff and THEN start acting the way Jesus wanted them to.
yes
The Church has changed, and it will again. The Catholic church on the other hand, is so full of meaningless traditions and nothing else that it is dead (although it will be around until Jesus comes back). A previous comment of mine stated what my church was like. It is for today’s generation, for the people that are sick (the people who sin, who are broken hearted, etc…) not the ones who are well (the “perfect” Christians who have it all together and obey all the rules). The music on Sunday mornings sounds like a rock concert (yes its loud and everyone likes it even the “old people”) . But we are growing because we are helping people get fed, we don’t believe in “do it right first, then God will heal you” mentality which most churches today seem to be stuck on. God has to heal you before you can follow or obey him. I don’t think the church should have to change, but sadly we always seem to get in the way of God and do things how we want, so there is always a need of change. In every aspect not just music, which most people seem to equate with change.
But we are not there to entertain anyone. The music simply helps people to let go and just fall at the feet of God, praising him. That’s why everyone likes it, because it has so much emotion in it that everyone connects with it. Where as hymns (which the early church hated because they were derived form bar tunes (yes they were)) have become stale and so artificial (in most Churches because they sing the same ones over and over again). There is no life in them anymore, they are for a generation that is dying out.
In response to rejcel, my Church doesn’t ask for an offering. We can’t even pay the ministers anything because we are not about money and we feel that God will provide for us if we only focus on him and not whether we have enough money in the bank. Yes, we do receive offerings and we a grateful because we still have to pay the electric bill at the end of the day.
Ok, I’m done I swear.
Outreach, yes. Change the message and basic doctrines, no; that would just turn a church into a religious club with no solid foundation which, by definition is what makes a religion a religion.
They doesn’t gotta, but they can if they wants to.
Comments (168)
the quakers didn’t change and they are almost non-existent. if they want to survive they will have to.
Not necessarily. At what cost to the message?
can i say first now? L O L
Yes, I agree with the first comment.
no. churches are corrupt enough, and have sick enough ideas that they should, if anything, receed.
Even if they did, I still wouldn’t go.
Somewhat
wow yeah, I agree with first comment as well.
dont really care.
no.
if they do, it’ll get to the point where everyone goes to church for the wrong reasons.
a lot of modern culture is shaped by satan.
Should? No. Probaby will have to? Yes, just to stay alive. *sigh*
they already are, and i’m not sure if they should.
No. Contemporary churches are like, sugar coated in my opinion. I’ve learned more from traditional churches rather then contemporary. I’m not saying they’re bad, I just don’t prefer them.
Me_Unplugged is totally right
Do you mean change by taking a little bit of God out? I’d say no to that.. Hmm… change. As far as music, yes allow more contemporary Christian music. But don’t take out the Bible.. Churches already do that way too often.
not necessarily. i think a lot of people are still attracted to the traditional aspects. i remember, when i used to go to church, they’d play these awful rock or pop songs about Jesus and heaven and so on. it was their attempt to become more modern, and it repelled the teens faster than anything i had ever seen. attempting to become more modern can lead to ultimate tackiness.
Change methods to reach an ever changing culture, but don’t change foundational beliefs.
Nah, stick to your beliefs….but leave me out of it.
Change how? Style of worship, or doctrine?
Martin Luther made big strides when he started the congregational singing of hymns and liturgy, “praise songs” of that time, instead of just the choir/cantor singing, and also when he put the service in the people’s “mother tongue” – German, where he was. Translating the Bible and making it available to the common people, instead of chained in a library, made a huge difference, as well. Are we not doing the same thing today, in contemporary worship – making it more accessible to the people?
Nothing wrong with traditional, either…a combination is nice.
Perhaps.
Yeah, They should quit being so judgemental.
Candy
It wouldn’t make me go. It would still feel like mind control and hipocrisy just with KEWL13R WeRdZ
Should churches shape themselves in ways to reach out to modern people (who happen to live in modern culture)? Absolutely. Even Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that some might be saved.” This doesn’t mean that things like sin and the gospel message and a commitment to serving Christ can be compromised. However, valuing the trappings of the church, whether traditional or non-traditional, over those core things is compromise.
Depends.
i think they should change the music and certain aspects b/c i was raised in a traditional church and i felt very condemned alot of the time i go to a contemporary church and i like it much better
Just as long as they don’t change the beliefs the church was founded on, I’m cool with it.
And we should rewrite the Bible so people will be less offended by it.
But newer music or whatever is fine.
Yes, as long as the same morals are taught. Religion needs to be a living thing. It is quite possible to change without sacrifice.
Personally, I think more churches need to be open to recognizing similarities throughout religion. In fact, that might draw more people in, because things would make a bit more sense. That’s what I’ve gathered from my studies, anyway. ^_^;
It’s all about God, isn’t it?
No.
Yes, as long as the same morals are taught. Religion needs to be a living thing. It is quite possible to change without sacrifice.
Personally, I think more churches need to be open to recognizing similarities throughout religion. In fact, that might draw more people in, because things would make a bit more sense. That’s what I’ve gathered from my studies, anyway. ^_^;——
This is true, people can change…but morality is subjective, but salvation is not possible without sacrifice…isn’t it great that it’s already happend?
No. God didn’t change to reach people, and our Churchs shouldn’t either.
there are many organizations and affiliations that require minute changes in order for a chance of reaching out. it depends on the essential changes that need to be taken. but, for the modern age, perhaps there changes that need to be taken.
Everyone should read G. K. Chesterton’s hilariously incisive essay on this subject, “On Flocking.” A brief sample:
“Every feature of every church, from a cross on a spire to an old hymn-book left in a pew, refers more or less to certain things that happened about 2,000 years ago. If we do not want to be reminded of those things, the natural inference is that we do not want any of the buildings built to remind us of them. So far from flocking to them, we shall naturally desire to get away from them; or still more to clear them away. But I cannot understand why something which is unpopular because of what it means should become frightfully popular because it no longer means anything.
“A War Memorial is a memorial of the war, and I can imagine that those who merely hate the memory might merely hate the memorial. But what would be the sense of saying that, if only all the names of the dead were scraped off the War Memorials, huge pilgrimages would be made from all the ends of the earth to visit and venerate the absence of names on a memorial of nothing? Most of us would not devote our short summer holiday to visiting the ruin of what had once been the record of something we did not want to think about.”
How so? They cant change vallues. Socoiety shouldnt b so skanky
Change what? What the bible teaches? No
larry
Change methodology. Keep theology in line with the Bible. Why do you think the Bible doesn’t prescribe any particular method?
As long as they don’t change the Message…
That honestly depends on what type of changes you are speaking of. Changes like more contemporary music and a few jokes here and there during sermons, then it’s no big deal. But if you mean changing the message the church is trying to get across, then no.
Absolutely. It’s not like hymns written a hundred years ago are somehow more holy than songs written today. Why was the Bible translated from its original languages? To make it accessable to more people and more cultures. It’s no different than updating your church format or the style of worship or the songs you sing. As long as the service is still God-honoring, it’s a fabulous idea to update it to reach more people.
i guess it doesnt really matter, as long as the teachings don’t stray from the truth. i’m a member of a traditional church and i like it a lot…. it’d probably be my preference if i had to choose between traditional and modern.
Certainly they should reach out to modern culture. However, I don’t think it’s necessary to CHANGE to do that. I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with some churches being more “contemporary.” All of that is really not the issue. The most effective way to reach out to modern culture is to reach out to and love people that are a part of that culture. There is sometimes a tendency for Christians to completely insulate themselves from non-Christians, which is not what Christ did. What draws people into a church is much less the STYLE of presentation and much more the relationships with people. In my experience people respond to being loved and also to seeing the love of the body in action (the body of Christ, that is — seeing a community of believers loving eachother/ taking care of eachother).
What difference will it make? People still won’t attend. The rules of the church are on the stupid side. Like most people were saying, there going to have to, because a lot less people are attending church. To me Catholic Church is way to boring. I sit in a big room for an hour listening to wannabee opera singers singing “my god why have you abandoned me” as if its funeral music. It makes me want to shoot myself!
modernized churches lose value.. It’s almost more focused on being modern then it is preaching the words of whatever supreme power the given religion believes in
I think so in some respects. I don’t think they should rewrite the Bible or change the doctrine or anything, but I think that the church should start keeping up with the times a little bit.
I remember reading something saying that 100 years ago, there were almost no atheists. Now, 1 in 6 people in the world claim to be agnostic, unreligious, or atheistic. I think that is in part because our churces have not been easily reaching out to younger people in the last twenty or thirty years.
Another interesting thing was something I read in USA Today a while ago. It was an article about gays in the church, and there was a sentence in there that said that our generation leads colorblind lives. Young people of today like myself have all kinds of friends-gay friends, straight friends, bisexuals, any religion, no religion, you name it. The church isn’t always willing to sanction people who aren’t necessarily “clean” or whatever, and thus, younger generations are abandoning the church.
Just something to think about.
Doctrinally, NO. As to various aspects of the worship procedure, sure, if everyone is fine with it, or as long as there are various options out there for those who prefer tradition.
Music and things will change with the majority of the church body’s taste changing. Culture in general just changes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, I know many churches are trying to be “hip” and “cool” to reach out to the younger generation.. but I’ve never met a person who felt compelled to go to a church only because they played rock music, or that they felt that church was superior to another. If the Church as a whole feels it has to change things to look like everybody else instead of, I dunno, trying to attract non-believers by being loving and showing them Christ, then I think that’s rather sad. It totally changes the focus from the message to the means, when they really should go hand in hand.
Though I think the Church setting trends in culture is rather cool. Look at the Renaissance and how monastaries helped to mold literature, or the beautiful buildings people built. The next point I’m going to make is just about my personal taste: I think trying to create the “Christian” Blink-182 or the “Christian” Brittany Spears is really tacky. Really really tacky. The Church (and when I put in here “Church” with a capital “C”, I mean all Christians everywhere) is filled with creative people armed with God-given imaginations- trying to shape itself after everyone else is just going to hinder it more. It’s focus and purpose will be changed from the message to the means. And it frustrates me seeing it happen. Grr.
it depends on how much. sometimes contemporary Christian music can kill worship and praise of God by focusing on emotions. and some of it is just plain cheesy. at my old church, one day we sang a really cheesy emotional arrangement of “may the mind” and some of the older generation said that they felt like they were in a broadway show rather than praising God. i’m not condemning contemporary music but it can cause some problems, so can hymns. some of the strongest Christians i know go to a modern church. a church must ultimately stay true to the Bible. if they don’t, then what’s the point? it’d be just a bunch of touchy feely weirdos or a group of legalistic jerks. but that’s only one side, a church shouldn’t be stuck in ancient times either. so, sort of yes but no too.
I think that churches should accomodate the modern culture to an extent–as some said, things such as music and architecture. However, other things–such as orders of the rituals, for example–should remain as they are. Being an ex-Catholic, I don’t know how the protestant churches are, but I had one hell of a boring time every sunday. So, yeah, the belief should be firm, but the way of expressing the faith could be changed, I say.
no…why should they. its good to reach out to those in need of spiritual help, but changing beliefs and practices definately shouldnt happen. of corse…there are certain things in my christian school that i would change…like the fact that we cant have dances.
it’s sink or swim… and if we don’t keep up with the culture in reaching those for Christ, then we’re going to lose to that very same culture. We live in a culture of audio/visual sensory… and we need to keep up with that in our church’s to reach the culture. Like I said… sink or swim, and since I’m in the audio/video ministry, I choose to SWIM BABY!
Yeah, they should close.
If you mean, like, being more accepting of the church outcasts, than yes.
But, if you mean, like, playing modern music and watching movies, than no.
if they want to.
to a certain degree yes…. certain denominations are going to more so than others though, so everyone can always find their little niche
yes, I think they should change their approach. Not necesarily the form of worship, but if the people don’t understand you, than what’s the point?
The lack of willingness to change scares me.
Change of method does not change the faith.
If your faith is shaken by something so small, you mustn’t have had much to begin with.
Where your idea of salvation may not be possible without sacrifice, changing the method of teaching your faith is, without harm to the message.
Yes.
This is in reference to JazzSaxKitten‘s comment:
There are more youth pastors now than there ever were before. Youth ministries are springing up everywhere. 50 years ago, practically no youthgroups existed in churches. I wonder why the number of Christian teens is going down. It makes no sense. Point being: in debates similar to these that I’ve had with numerous people, the amount of proof is far from adequate.
But, it does make perfect sense that things can change with the times. Sure, we can change a little bit, but I’ll give an example of a bad change: the translation of the Bible entitled “The Message.” I don’t know how many of you have ever read this, but it makes me sad. In an attempt to reach out to people who have never read the Bible and might not understand it, this new translation’s “hip” language makes the translation inaccurate. Regardless whether this was intentional or not, it’s very hard for me to read it without throwing my hands up. God’s Word can’t be changed to meet a “surface” need (the communication need)- that sacrifices the Ultimate Need (spiritual need of salvation).
And once again, surface needs should be met (communication needs, very important, you wouldn’t use English with an Amazon tribe). It’s exciting that people are reaching to meet communication needs, but please please please, don’t lose focus of the Thing everyone needs, regardless of what culture they’re from.
eh? yea somewhat
like the catholic church yea.
but some churches already…like evangelical (sp?) lutheran churches allow women to be ministers….& they’re somewhat more openminded. changes like that? yes…
nd also i’ve noticed when i go to church with my grandma (shes catholic) the services are soo….idkk…they feel so…stiff…and like idkk really. but my church (i’m lutheran) is more lively and the pastor is a real person and his sermons are real life stories having to do with the scripture…its different and make the people feel more connected and comfortable.
& i also think that eventually priests are gonna have to be able to get married. b.c less and less people are gonna wanna NOT get married.
They shouldn’t change the message of Scripture, because churches that do lose their membership and lose their heart and soul (like ultra-liberal churches which hardly teach the divinity of Christ). But they also do all they can to reach out to people, and if that means having Rock and Roll music, so be it!
Yeah, like Christianity has so much difficulty in reaching Americans.
The outside “fluff” can be contemporary, traditional, asian, african american, dutch, nigerian or anything else as long as the content, the true beliefs don’t change. My daughter is in Haiti and went to a Creole/Haitian church. She didn’t understand a word, but she knew they were worshipping the same God. The main issue is that many contemporary churches water down the truths of the gospel and that can’t happen.
a little bit.
personally, i tihnk we should all just drop religion. I know its some peoples whole lives, but to me (total, no-religion type) it doesnt mean anything. I guess its just the way i was raised
In some things, yes….( i wasn’t able to get married in my parents catholic church becuase my ex and i had a child before we were married…the catholic church does not forgive as Christ has taught, that is for sure….and many other churches welcomed us with open arms because they realize that people make mistakes and can be forgiven….
As long as they don’t change the meaning of the message, I think that in todays society they will have to change some things (like the music) in order to keep the younger crowds coming. I prefer the old southern gospel stuff myself but I am learning to adjust to the new stuff and some of it is actually fun…..it’s great to see some of those 80 year old women at my church really getting into some of the new worship music. Great question.
the Churches, yes. The message, no. The truth of the Bible applies to all generations, but sometimes the way of reaching out with it needs to change to reach others.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that if the church doesn’t change, the more it will be come outdated and essentially be ignored. If anything, the church needs to focus more on the scripture, the morals, and teaching people to good…And less on picking out who they won’t accept and teach.
More ancient religions are flexible, accepting. They illustrate change as a part of their religion; they show beauty in diversity. And they’re still around. Makes sense to me, I don’t know about you…
“Renovations” of the original is required to bring them in line with modren thinking.
Any change to the Canon Law would be a confession that they got the message wrong in the first place.
Doctrine? Maybe. The Gospel? NO. Mass? Has in the past. The oldest institution on earth, the Roman Catholic Church has had to change to keep up with the times. However its message and impact have not.
I know I just commented but after reading some of the other comments, I am deeply saddened by the number of people that don’t have Christ in their lives. I would rather live my life as if there IS a God and find out there isn’t than to live my life as if there wasn’t a God and find out there IS one!!
I think modern culture should reach out to the truth, rather than that which they want to hear.
They shouldn’t change the message, but the method of getting the message out could stand adjustment. The main change required for the church is to take Christ seriously when He said, “If any would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” After that the church could stand to stop being program oriented and become people oriented. The one thing the church needs to concern itself and all its energies, is to love God with all our being, and love others (including enemies) the way God loves us.
In some ways yes, in others no… as for what those ways are, well that depends on the church.
Depends really.
<3333
Well I personally think they should just go away :]
NO. Goes God change? NO. The church should not change to accommodate the worldly. The church is the bride of Christ. Read Revelations. I think God sums it up pretty well and to the point about churches that change.
Where is spell checker when you need it? LOL I mean “Does” in my statement. Long day.
i dont think so. i like church just the way it is.
some do, and that’s good for some people. others stay the way they’ve always been, for the good of the church. i think it’s always important for churches to make their religion relatable with its members, but ‘modernizing’ isn’t critical.
A bit, but unless it is hoplessly outdated, most of it is good.
i think it all depends on what degree churches would be willing to go to.. also i agree with CynaraJane, it could contradict the teachings and messings that have already been instilled.
most definitely.
Define Change.
There are some traditional teachings that probably should change, but only because they are inaccurate distortions of truth introduced to convert the pagans and have stuck ever since. The basic message of the Bible should not change, and people need to understand that basic religious truth will not change just satisfy the whims of individuals. Also, I think that a more uplifting experience needs to be maintained. Church should not become a place where one goes to hear a mini rock concert on Sunday morning..
Well, the Message of Christ should really be spread so that people actually DO know about it…
Paul spoke of being all things to all people. This did not mean changing the gospel of Christ, but presenting the same message in ways that the Jews, Greeks, and Romans could all understand. Because of the very nature of the gospel, it will always be relevant. The key to maintaining our significance in the world is to remain faithful to the message of Christ. The more we try to change our message (ie conforming to the mindset of modernism, post-modernism, or other external philosphies) to adapt to the culture around us, the more futile the attempt becomes and the more irrelevant the church becomes.
No, I don’t think so.
Yes and No. But the real question is…which ones? :p
method yes, message no
Maybe change some things that this generation might adapt to better, for example the music, the homilys, et cetera, but I don’t think the ideas of church should be changed.
the ministry should adapt, if its in the church’s vision
but the message should be the same:
Jesus Loves you, and always will
absolutely
Do you think cultures should change when churches reach out?
saying no to modern culture would mean saying no to the mission field
If we are serious about our faith, the message can not change. I believe that the message of Jesus is timeless, that his life and his teachings can, under the context of understanding them in his world, be brought to our modern churches. Should we look at revamping our liturgy? yes should we explore different visions of ministry? yes. Should we work on removing all from our faith that is man made? yes. But JESUS will ALWAYS be the same.
To everyone who says ‘bah-humbug” to the church…I bet you would like Jesus. Jesus hated the teachings of the pharasies. Jesus spent his time with prostitutes, lepars, tax collectors…fishermen…all sorts of roughnecks. If any of you read this, please respond to this question…
What about Jesus don’t you like?
If they didn’t they’d still be preaching about hoe blacks are inferior and women should not be touched during their period (b/c they’re “tainted”). Clearly, at least some of the Bible’s values have changed to fit in with changes in society’s standards and norms.
oh goodness yes. its why i left my methodist, baptist, catholic, jewish, and lutheran church. i am kind of ucc now that i go to a ucc church, but it is modern and is contemporary. i like that.
I go to a contemporary non-denonminational Christian church that started in 1986 with 60 people, there are now well over 3,000. Alot of the congregation is younger. There’s a huge youth outreach program. So, yes! As long as biblical principles are followed and the sermons are based on the Bible. I wish I had known about this church when I was younger, I would’ve started going earlier.
They are.
um where have you been
they have changed ten fold to reach in a cutting ege way.
well the E free church has
Buddy Jesus.
‘Dogma’, anyone?
Depends on the church, really.
I think the reason a lot of people have a problem with churches is because it has changed. We need to bring it back to Acts 2
haven’t they already?
when ever you post something about religion, i read the comments and get a little depressed. a lot of commenters try to put down the church and they just don’t understand. I’m dealing with that from my non-chritian friends. I just think that you don’t know what church is or who jesus was until you’ve felt him. and i’m sick and tired of christians getting bad raps when people just don’t understand where i’m coming from.
i understand where they are coming from…i used to think like they do…to a certain degree. yet i still feel hated.
I haven’t been around a whole lot of different churches, so I don’t know how they all accept new people, but from hearing yall’s comments, I am saddened by the neglect some people are feeling from the Church. It just makes me want to try harder to reach people as people. I hope you peeps out there really look at Jesus, even if other people are sending out negative messages. Jesus let everyone in, even the people who hated him.
I guess, if they want more money.
On some things yes. There are things to change that matter, and those that dont.
Real changes mean more than just upbeat music, churches have to communicate to peoples souls, and matter to peoples lives.
Significant changes will be in how churches welcome and include people into the community, breaking down hypocrisy, and really tending to peoples spiritual needs.
Yes. I think some churches still act on the idea that there is only one interpretation to the Bible and with the invention of the printing press and a focus on literacy and the creation of a vernacular Bible, that way of thinking cannot exist in a dynamic and changing world.
Isn’t that sort of a church tradition?
to some degree.
Nein. If people truly believe, or if their Dogma is real, then they should survive good and well. It makes no sense to change your Dogma simply to fit the times and make it bigger… It only manipulates “God’s” word and falsifies it. They’d be contradicting themselves.
yes
I can’t give an unbiased opinion on this issue; I basically hate the church.
NO
i think that’s what they’ve always done… why stop now?
Shouldn’t change doctrine. Blend old music with new. But the church should be influencing the world, and unfortunately, it’s mostly the other way around. We need to get out of the pews and start living Jesus to those who won’t go to a church building. Care for the poor, homeless, etc.
Churches bicker and fight too much – that is what they need to change. They are so busy fighting over dumb things that they forget to realize what makes them a church in the first place. No matter how you worship God, the act is still the same. Singing old gospel tunes and rocking out to hardcore metal with the same lyrics accomplishes the same thing, only in a way that others can enjoy it.
Change isn’t always bad, but change simply to change – that is deadly.
Yes.
Think back to earlier times (go father, keep going…wait, wait, stop there, you should be around midevil times), and see how much women were involved in religion and the Church. At one point, correct me if I’m wrong, it was believed in some places (probably few) that women were unholy and wern’t seen fit to step foot in a church. Supossedly this was so because of (pulling this from Adam and Eve’s story) Eve’s sin of eating “the forbidden fruit”, the first sin of mankind. So women were thought of as the complete symbol of sin, the first to cause it, at this point of time.
At least that’s what I heard.
So, come back to the present. Women have traveled light-years for their rights, and are held equal to men by most decent people.
(EXAMPLE) Now, do you see and female priests in the Catholic Church? Nope. Some Protestant churches allow female priests, which is better than nothing. You judge whether this is a sign or not that the Church is still clinging onto the past.
This is only one example on how the Church needs to update their wardrobes. There are more. Can’t really think of any others right now, I got that stupid song “Buttons” stuck in my head.
I hope I haven’t offended toooo many people.
I find it hard to care, honestly. I feel tired of conditional love. The “I’ll only love and accept you if you’re a Christian” kind of love. I think the church needs to stop arguing over doctrines and realize we are all created in God’s image, even those of different religions. How can we say the whole world besides us is going to hell? If somebody views me as deserving infinite years of torment, I basically feel they think I am worthless. I personally wouldn’t subject a fly or an ant to that much pain, much less a human. “God loves you, that’s why your burning in hell for eternity,” to me doesn’t make sense. All I’m asking for is unconditional love, the kind of love that says I’ll be your friend NO MATTER WHAT. That’s just how I’m feeling right now. Pete.
In some ways, sure.
Superficially maybe, but otherwise no
An odd question. The true church is the body of believers in Jesus Christ. And they are commanded to reach out to those around them, who would presumably constitute a part of “modern culture”. Note that I’m not suggesting that the church CONFORM itself to modern culture. We are to be “in the world but not of it”.
i really think it is important. the whole organ and hymns are very stuffy and unwelcoming to most people of this time. and bible studies on up to date topics are all good. yes. i think they should do the very best they can to reach out to today’s culture.
Yes, and they should.
I think it seriously depends on the type of change we are talking about here. There is definately changes that will always need to be made, but the message and what is at the heart being taught should remain the same.
I think that churches should try to appeal to the culture in which they are present, but they should also be careful not to lose the integrity of the message while doing so.
The message shouldn’t change, but perhaps the method of delivery needs to move with the times. Hugs, Susan <><
It depends on the change. If you mean changing the way we go about things, then yes, there is a lot we could and SHOULD change. But if you mean compromising the message, then no, we should not change the message to fit the culture. This type of compromise is the same that was used to justify slavery, virtual enslavement of women, and a host of other atrocities simply because they were culturally accepted. The Churches message should be ageless, the only thing that should change is the ways to get the message accross.
Actually I suppose they are doing what u said, slowly.
no. i think that’s kinda what holds them together. if they change to meet our modern culture, who knows what would happen. suddenly it may be okay to do all sorts of things that are NOT okay. i think the modern world should make more changes to reach out to the church. or at least respect it.
Churches have changed quite a bit already. Churches can now record their sermons and transmit them via Ipod or internet to those who would just rather stay home. I heard a news report about a new style of churches that is basically ran by the youth. Thus it is big on the arts, technology, anything really insisting that a person’s time both at home and at church should be centered around worshipping God. So as long as churches like this exist, then the traditional ones can continue taking whatever steps each one feels is neccessary.
No. Here’s a wonderful essay on the subject: http://www.frederica.com/writings/postmodernism-gods-silence.html
With a quote from above essay:
There’s nothing Christians can do to appear ‘cool’ to the postmodern crowd, and trying to do so only makes us look foolish. Christianity has lost a lot of credibility in recent decades by tagging after the latest trends and begging to be liked.
My personal bias is for churches to keep to themselves and quit harassing people.
reach out to modern culture, yes, conform to it heck no, never for any reason should the church stray from the bible or add anything to it, no, not, never
God meets you where you are … so should the church
some….there are enough of both traditional and modern to fit every niche. and there is a reason for that
I’ve been to many churches in my life, I guess I was looking for a place to help me change because I was not happy the way I was living. I believe that is a common reason for going in the first place (if we are honest with ourselves) or maybe it is because a loved one made us go. The churches that tried to be modern scared me and I had a hard time finding God in them. I felt as though they were there simply to put on a show and make everybody feel good. They wanted me to stay and add to thier numbers and join the giant party. The churches that were all about rules and works I never fit into (because I’m not perfect). They had alot of stipulations and statues of holy people but I never found God there either. The church I currently go to is somewhat conservative they have hymns, rules, and they read and preach directly from God’s word. They are friendly and open but are not there to entertain or even make you feel good and don’t condem you for not being perfect. They teach repentance, mercy and accountability. When I was an unforgiven sinner I thirsted for some type of accountability I wanted to change not blend! I didn’t go to church to be entertained or to feel better about my sin. I go to learn more about God and to be showered in his love and mercy; to worship him not the world! I was not only told what my sin was (against God and deserving of death) but how to change it (with the help of the Holy Spirit). I’m still not perfect, nor is being forgiven a license to continue in sin. I gained wisdom and support in knowing God is working in my life. To sugar coat the gospel, so people can take it easier, is not at all helpful it is dangerous. It can be a stumbling block to others and cause them to be blinded to the real truth of the gospel. Please don’t let the modern world and it’s sinfulness influence the conduct of the church. People are already becoming more and more tolerable of sin, churches should not ever tolerate sin. Read the writings of the Apostle Paul and God’s thought on the worldly effects on churches. These are my thoughts and feelings on that matter. Thanks for reading.
No they shouldn’t change even though Christian doctrines have already changed so much since Jesus just so they could “convert” others. I think it is ridiculous.
Yes! I know many already are–but Jesus met the people where they were, so why can’t we? In the world but not of it . . . it’s a hard line to draw in the sand, a hard one to keep from crossing, but it’s what we need to do in order to, I think, show the world Christ in a real and relevant way.
they used to a long time ago… which made them soooo strict… I’m talking Middle Ages where they ruled culture itself, and then vice versa.
So, I think if church wants to survive now.. then yes
If they want to reach more people
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
: )
Churches should take a stand and not change in order to conform to that which is politically correct. And so should people, for that matter.
When churches make a point of being modern and “progressive”, they completely invalidate themselves to me and I judge them as being nothing but marketers of a product. Their standards change in order to serve their customers.
There is a “People’s Church” in many cities, now that has a program bringing them in to the max. The church finds they need to have traffic directors, arrows pointing to orderly parking, huge parking lots, name tags, greeters, popular band music, overhead-viewed screens, ushers, car-pooling, church Bible studies, church school groups, Sunday school for the children of all ages, including young adults, and parental-guidance “Legacy” class, for those parents who “took ” their kids from the drug-users and other persons who society thought couldn’t handle taking care of kids. No, I think that is enough. That’s the max. Now we need to look at the real Jesus as He is, and listen to what He has to say about modern life, being here.
do what you gotta do. just don’t come knocking on my door. i will not convert, ever.
since churches are money making enterprises and could care less about representing the God they claim to represent, then “yes”…. they must lower their standards to the ever decreasing moral structure of society in order to keep the money in their pockets. churches retain no loyalty to uphold the never changing standards of the almighty being of the universe. they care about the bottom line of green paper.
i laugh when people cop out on the “but this is the modern day”. puhlease. do you still need food? air? love? acceptance? family? loyalty? happiness? yeah? huh, b/c humans have ALWAYS needed that. the basic principles of pre A.D. are as applicable today as they were back then. people just like to use “modernity” as an excuse to circumvent responsbility for their actions. “oh, but it’s different now……. that doesn’t apply to me….. blah blah blah.” brats.
since churches are money making enterprises and could care less about representing the God they claim to represent, then “yes”…. they must lower their standards to the ever decreasing moral structure of society in order to keep the money in their pockets. churches retain no loyalty to uphold the never changing standards of the almighty being of the universe. they care about the bottom line of green paper.
i laugh when people cop out on the “but this is the modern day”. puhlease. do you still need food? air? love? acceptance? family? loyalty? happiness? yeah? huh, b/c humans have ALWAYS needed that. the basic principles of pre A.D. are as applicable today as they were back then. people just like to use “modernity” as an excuse to circumvent responsbility for their actions. “oh, but it’s different now……. that doesn’t apply to me….. blah blah blah.” brats.
since churches are money making enterprises and could care less about representing the God they claim to represent, then “yes”…. they must lower their standards to the ever decreasing moral structure of society in order to keep the money in their pockets. churches retain no loyalty to uphold the never changing standards of the almighty being of the universe. they care about the bottom line of green paper.
i laugh when people cop out on the “but this is the modern day”. puhlease. do you still need food? air? love? acceptance? family? loyalty? happiness? yeah? huh, b/c humans have ALWAYS needed that. the basic principles of pre A.D. are as applicable today as they were back then. people just like to use “modernity” as an excuse to circumvent responsbility for their actions. “oh, but it’s different now……. that doesn’t apply to me….. blah blah blah.” brats.
sorry about the three comments.
Reach out yes. Compromise the standards of the Bible, no.
Define “change”.
yes, but don’t lose the important stuff. (the Spirit, the Bible, time in prayer). the type of music, the actual room…they’re not that important, are they? as long as they’re not promoting bad things, it’s probably okay if they’re not the traditional stained glass stuff.
I feel a bit out of place at some traditional church settings. but at the church I go to, they reach out to everyone and bring them God’s Message. who cares how they do it? (as long as it’s not through the devil)
They may have to.
yes. i just came back from a preaching conference where everything was so upbeat and dare i say that mass was actually enjoyable? just don’t change things to the point of sacrilege.
Do I think churches should change to reach out to modern culture? In what way? Mine basically is, especially the youth group. The youth group ROCKS!!! hahaha. And if you take a look in Christian bookstores, you’ll find modern teen Bibles, with questions every kid deals with (sex, drugs, parents divorcing, etc.) and good Biblical answers. Today I went in a Christian bookstore and found “Biblzines” which are like Bibles made to look like magizines. They’re pretty cool, I got one.
My church already has. It’s not catholic, and it’s not traditonal. You shouldn’t pass off all churches as tradtional or not modern. Theres a ministry for all the different grade levels and the music is modern.
Defenetly not. Actualy, while you were posting this I was at a camp where I learned how to reach out to change modern culture. I loved it. I learned (well, I knew this already) that as long as Christians stick to what Christ said the world will hate us. I personally would rather be loved by God then the world because He is the one I will answer to when I die, not modern culture.
> Try harder than they do or wanna….
Peace
Many many churches should work on their members to stop being such sanctimonious, eletist, ethnocentric, imperialistic, intolerant, fucktarded pricks.
Churches need to carefully reread what Jesus had to say about stuff and THEN start acting the way Jesus wanted them to.
yes
The Church has changed, and it will again. The Catholic church on the other hand, is so full of meaningless traditions and nothing else that it is dead (although it will be around until Jesus comes back). A previous comment of mine stated what my church was like. It is for today’s generation, for the people that are sick (the people who sin, who are broken hearted, etc…) not the ones who are well (the “perfect” Christians who have it all together and obey all the rules). The music on Sunday mornings sounds like a rock concert (yes its loud and everyone likes it even the “old people”) . But we are growing because we are helping people get fed, we don’t believe in “do it right first, then God will heal you” mentality which most churches today seem to be stuck on. God has to heal you before you can follow or obey him. I don’t think the church should have to change, but sadly we always seem to get in the way of God and do things how we want, so there is always a need of change. In every aspect not just music, which most people seem to equate with change.
But we are not there to entertain anyone. The music simply helps people to let go and just fall at the feet of God, praising him. That’s why everyone likes it, because it has so much emotion in it that everyone connects with it. Where as hymns (which the early church hated because they were derived form bar tunes (yes they were)) have become stale and so artificial (in most Churches because they sing the same ones over and over again). There is no life in them anymore, they are for a generation that is dying out.
In response to rejcel, my Church doesn’t ask for an offering. We can’t even pay the ministers anything because we are not about money and we feel that God will provide for us if we only focus on him and not whether we have enough money in the bank. Yes, we do receive offerings and we a grateful because we still have to pay the electric bill at the end of the day.
Ok, I’m done I swear.
Outreach, yes. Change the message and basic doctrines, no; that would just turn a church into a religious club with no solid foundation which, by definition is what makes a religion a religion.
They doesn’t gotta, but they can if they wants to.