Be Here Now Part 2: Multi-generational
As I said in my previous blog, for Trinity Life Center's contemporary second service, We have envisioned a multi-generational, multi-cultural, life-giving church.
"Two Styles, One Church"
One of our first goals is to be a multi-generational church - a body consisting of all ages and generations. Today's churches fall under one of two categories - traditional or contemporary. Rarely do you see both in operation. It is very important to us that even with different worship styles, we are still ONE CHURCH.
I love progressive churches striving to bring in un-churched, disenfranchised, and hurting people. However, sometimes these churches consist of people 30 years old and under. Is something missing? Perhaps a lack of maturity? Younger Christians and younger people in general need the wisdom, guidance and love of an older generation. On the other side of the spectrum, older congregations may believe anything contemporary in a church service is somehow of the devil. According to them, Beelzebub himself created electric guitars and choruses, which is what they call anything other than a hymn. So that might be an exaggerated statement, but sometimes an older congregation's disapproval of style and their openness to share their disdain could cause a person to believe the statement is true! The truth is, older Christians need the vibrancy, creativity, excitement and passion of younger people and younger Christians. The energy they bring could potentially facilitate a fresh, new move of God in the church.
"Two Styles, One Church"
One of our first goals is to be a multi-generational church - a body consisting of all ages and generations. Today's churches fall under one of two categories - traditional or contemporary. Rarely do you see both in operation. It is very important to us that even with different worship styles, we are still ONE CHURCH.
I love progressive churches striving to bring in un-churched, disenfranchised, and hurting people. However, sometimes these churches consist of people 30 years old and under. Is something missing? Perhaps a lack of maturity? Younger Christians and younger people in general need the wisdom, guidance and love of an older generation. On the other side of the spectrum, older congregations may believe anything contemporary in a church service is somehow of the devil. According to them, Beelzebub himself created electric guitars and choruses, which is what they call anything other than a hymn. So that might be an exaggerated statement, but sometimes an older congregation's disapproval of style and their openness to share their disdain could cause a person to believe the statement is true! The truth is, older Christians need the vibrancy, creativity, excitement and passion of younger people and younger Christians. The energy they bring could potentially facilitate a fresh, new move of God in the church.
Psalm 148:12 -13 tells us, "Young men and maidens together,old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord."
We are instructed to worship God together,not separated by churches, styles or denominations. So, at Trinity Life Center, we will include a second service that we hope will bring in younger families and young adults. We are striving to build a multi-generational church where young and old come alongside each other to encourage, disciple, build up and worship God as one. We do not intend to give the older generation the boot because our worship style is more "relevant"; rather, our heart as a church is to provide styles that appeal to all ages and all generations. So at TLC, we are "Two Styles, One Church"
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