Have you heard about these churches that have java cafes right in the worship center (a trendy word for sanctuary)? Yeah, apparently you can get coffee and a donut and whatever else during the service, come and go as you please, and are encouraged to do so. Well I’ve been to one, and here are some thoughts.
First off, let me say that in no way am I bashing this particular church. I only speak about it because it was a personal experience. The place was super modern and trendy, and they fostered what was less like a “come as you are” atmosphere and more like a “come any way you dang well please” one. Perhaps that’s a big negative, but even the guy playing the guitar up front during the singing was doing so without shoes. Without shoes I tells ya’!
Seriously though, the place was relaxed to the max. Super trendy; super cool; super laid back; and, dare I say, super….shallow*? I really went in with a good attitude. I sang the songs (which were way too loud) and tried not to be critical but rather appreciate what was good about the experience. There’s no doubt this church is meeting some sort of need for someone, but I ask myself, “at what expense?”
Ask the typical critic of so-called “traditional” churches and you will almost ALWAYS hear them say that it’s too boring. Sadly, there’s a lot of truth to that. I mean, I don’t care what style you choose, it doesn’t have to be boring. But I fear that as a reaction to boringness the tendency has been to swing too far the other direction at the expense of what truly makes the corporate Christian experience what it should be.
What kind of sign is being presented by Star Bucks Christianity? Should church be like your order at Burger King (have it your way)? Not at the expense of truth, mystery, and depth is what I say. But maybe I’m just whacked.
I know some of you disagree with me. I’m not interested in a debate, but in dialogue. Help me to see the benefits of such an ultra laid back approach to church. Make a case that American Star Bucks Christianity isn’t selfish individualism’s logical expression.
Please.
*On a side note, the pastor during his sermon (50 minutes, mind you) referred to the Holy Spirit as “it”. He said, “One disciple said to the other, ‘Holy Spirit, what’s that?’ The other disciple replied, ‘I don’t know, but we’ll know when it happens.’” Pardon me, I just vomited in my mouth. Once again, in the attempt to “dumb down” and be funny he has committed heresy and depersonalized the third Person of the Trinity to 50 people. But that’s just a side note….
P.S. This post is coming across way more negative than I mean for it to. I really do have a smile on my face right now. You just can’t see it.
