Traditional/Contemporary and old people - good words from Drury

[Paul Whitaker]

I admit. I am an "Old People".


http://www.indwes.edu/tuesday/Read.My.Mail.Traditional.dead..htm

[Jenny Mitchell]

Wow! What an article! Well worth reading. Thanks for posting the link.

[Gary Swartzlander]

Shame on people who allow themselves to feel like that and shame on a church that allows there people to feel like that. I still say that communicating reasons for what a church does is the key, if you don't communicate, people don't know.

He says people are told "church isn't for them, it's for others". We offer services were we say the very same thing, but we explain that it's for them to bring friends and family who don't know Christ so we can help them introduce them to Christ. We also offer a service that is for them, that makes a big difference. But still, we don't have to feel old in the contemporary setting. We offer two kinds of services on Sunday morning, our first two services would be contemporary in 90% of churches. Yesterday morning, as I have for a number of years, I greeted and received a hug from one of our ladies who is well beyond her 90th birthday now. She doesn't miss a Sunday and she doesn't complain about the guitars and the drums or the pastor not wearing a tie, or no pulpit. She is as alive in our church as the 20 year olds.

Our 3rd service is designed for the 20 and 30 year olds. The music is loud, the praise and worship is awesome. I'll soon be 50 and this is the service I attend, I feel very much at home in it as do many others my age. While it is attracting a great number of young familes we are also seeing good attendance by those in their 50's and 60's and a couple who are older.

I'm not discounting all that he says in the article, but I don't think it has to be that way. Our churches are what we make them by collectively seeking God's will and collectively doing it.

[Billy Cox]

I read the article with interest and I thought of young people, some around my age (34) and some younger who fit the description of 'old'.

Becoming 'old' means that we begin to lose the battles with disappointment - disappointment that we are not immortal after all, that our idealism is not so easy to hold on to, and that every person is capable of betraying our faith in them.

Drury's article is an appropriate note of conviction for the Church too easily embracing the cult of youth...BUT those who are no longer young are fools to sit around and wait for the church to realize its error. Stop cursing the darkness and light a candle. Our church may overlook the old, but we are the Church too and if there is a fire in our hearts for the 'old', perhaps the Spirit is speaking to us and we would do well to respond.

[Cindi Hammons]

Professor Whitaker,

Thank you for posting the article. We are having a generational problem at our church (more than just music style) and this article was great. I forwarded it on to our pastor.

Again, thanks.
Cindi H.

[Judy McDonald]

Gary wrote: "Shame on people who allow themselves to feel like that ..."

Evidently you haven't been there yet.

[Sara Sheppard]

I'm only 31 and I can say I've experienced many of the emotions that writer writes about. I've experienced pain that comes from directly within the church and sometimes when I enter the church I am weary and broken hearted and need "recovery". That isn't the way all the time...but sometimes. And yes, as you get older, I think sometimes that happens more often. Life happens.

Sometimes I have to remind myself - intentionally remind myself - its not about me or the people around me (good and bad)...its about God. I'm here to worship God! But, sometimes, I don't take the reminder very well.

Sara

[Marg Webb]

Very good Billy and Gary. I am 78 and "I ain't dead yet"!!! I just wish the kids would pick it up a little and swing a little. I purchased the drums that are used in the Sat. night Moasic service years ago. We have new drums in our service too. WE are fortunate to have Pastor's that are on the ball.

[Gary Swartzlander]

I love the response. Go get em.

[Marg Webb]

I would expect anyone from Michigan to feel the same.!!!!!!!