Forging an Identity

Churches get reputations in their local community. This is something that most ministers know, but few parishoners really think about as they are absorbed in their congregation so much that sometimes they miss this crucial fact, like a fish might miss the fact that she is surrounded by water. Churches get reputations among ministers, because yes, we do talk. If a church chews up ministers and spits them out, we know about it. If a church treats the minister like a hireling, we know about it. Of course, there’s always SOMEONE desperate enough or out of the loop enough to come to your church when you write up a glowing job description, there are unfortunately no “truth in advertising” laws when it comes to churches.

But, my point in this post is to talk about the reputation that a church has in a community.

Some churches are known for their congregation. That’s the church that all the bigwigs in town go to. That’s the church where all the fundies go. That’s the church where all the rich folks go. That’s a friendly/unfriendly church.

Some churches are known for their worship style. That’s the rockin’ church. That’s the dead church. That’s the formal church. That’s the holy-roller church.

Some churches are known for their preacher. That’s Bob Russell’s church. That’s Mark Driscoll’s church.

Sadly, some churches are known for their bad behavior. That’s the church that fights all the time. That’s the church that is against X. That is the church that’s dead.

Starting at a new church, we are in a position to ask what our identity should be in this community. How exciting. We realize that since we are in a region with a lot of very big, very contemporary churches that we will not be able to be the “contemporary” church in the area. I’m glad our leaders realize that. Nothing is more painful than a little, traditional church trying to imitate the big contemporary church in the city. We also realize that we don’t want to be the So and So Family church, and don’t really have that controlling family here. Thank God.

So, we are looking at what is important to us. We are more biblically conservative than the average church in the area. No, not legalistic or hung up on nonessential things like how you should dress or what day communion can or can ‘t be served on. But, if you believe that the bible is the Word of God and should be the guide for the church you’re pretty much more conservative than the average church in America. Also, with all the seeker-friendly churches dumbing down the Gospel and avoiding using the bible or mentioning things like sin in the morning worship, we hope to be the kind of place that people will come to when they get tired of milk sermons. We are also a family church. Yes, I know, I just criticized family churches, but there’s a difference. A bad family church is one that’s run by one family FOR one family. A family church that is one that reaches all generations is a great thing, and becoming a rare thing. We don’t ‘target’ one demographic, which in most targeted churches is the 20-35 year olds. We have people from birth to 90 and are trying to reach all of them (not an easy task). Still, for those who are tired of Chuck E. Cheese Church, we will be a welcome sight. We are also trying very hard to be blended in our worship (again, not easy). We have a contemporary sound, but we play old and new songs and try very hard to accomodate all tastes without being hostage to any. And finally, since we are smaller, we would like to really accentuate that fact that we can provide more of a one-on-one ministry than a larger church. Of course, the goal is to make new disciples which means growing which means that hopefully down the road we will have to find new ways to still have that small church feel with more people.

Me, I’m just glad to be in a church that is seriously asking these questions. Too many churches are just drifting around with no real idea of who they are and don’t seem to care what their identity is in the community.