I've been getting truly overwhelming positive response to the announcement that we're starting a new alternative expression of the church at SCBC. Younger (and younger at heart) people are excited to see a missional and 21 century relevant form forming. Here's a passionate email from a young guy in his 20's -he serves on staff at another church. See what he thinks about the need for ministry designed for his generation.
Hey Chuckk! This sounds SO exciting!! I've been trying to get my church to take notice of the very concerning absence of my generation. Unfortunately I'm not sure that they'll be ready to do anything about it for a long time because there aren't enough people aware yet, and more importantly, not enough people are aware that can do anything about it. That's kinda what my email was talking about a while back when I was saying that things are really difficult at my church right now. I'm just not being heard due to my age and a fair number of other reasons.
This is something that I am SO passionate about and that God has fervently had on my heart. I want to reach out to my generation and challenge them in their faith. I want to clear up the their foggy eyed misconceptions of God and what the Bible teaches. I want them to experience the love that God has and that He calls us to live out. I want them to understand how amazing it is to be in a relationship with Christ, and to see that it isn't hokey. Every time I think about this God puts the Great Commissioning on my heart and reminds me to be like Simon and Andrew and become a fisher of men. He also simultaneously reminds me of Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another." I want to be a part of a church, and be amongst peers who are so sharpened and so passionate for Christ that Christ's love just oozes all over everyone they come into contact with. I believe that if there is a core group of believers that is this passionate, we will not only grow together, but it will be so easy and natural to fish for men. People won't be able to help but want to come see what it is that is feeding the deeply seeded peace, and love, and joy that is in those people that come, and a community can be changed. My generation can be reached. My generation knows they need something.. but there are so many different things professing to be the solution to what is missing in their life that it is incredibly overwhelming. And I think as a result we just never commit to anything, do as little as possible, and cling to things offering instant gratification (alcohol, sex, drugs, money, status, etc). They are out there just waiting for that thing, we just need to build strong enough groups of believers that are strong and passionate about Christ, so that we can go to them and tell them or get them to come hear about Christ. I know that Christ will do the rest. This is something I am SO passionate about, but haven't been able to do anything about on my own because I haven't been able to find any leadership that is strong enough to take that risk, and to make that difference.
I read your Proposal to SCBC and I though it is right on. This ISN'T a movement to reject the church and reconstruct everything ourselves. It is, in fact, a new arm of the church that needs to be grown, just like your starfish model so perfectly illustrates. This isn't a reinvention of church, but a new and necessary addition to the church body. It isn't superior, nor inferior to the church that exists, merely a different expression of the same thing. This has happened historically in the church many times before, we just happen to be on the cusp of the next mode of expression.
Anyway, this being said Chuckk. PLEASE let me know if there is any way I can be a part of your new ministry in regards to worship through music, tech, websites, artistic expression (akaflierss, logos, videos, or whatever graphic expressions you need), teaching, promotion, advising, ideas... anything really. I am really passionate about reaching my age group as God has put them on my heart and I want to help serve in any way that I can. I'll be praying for your ministry Chuckk.
The Fuse is Lit! The Need Is Great! The Time Is Now!
