Transitioning to a Contemporary Church ?

Rev Dr Phil Pringle, of Christian City Church, an Australia-based church network, was in Singapore for the conference of a mega-church in Singapore. The Christian Post reported that when asked "how the Asian Church can transit from a traditional church to a contemporary one" Rev Dr Pringle replied, 'Two words..' " and proceeded to give the two word/two syllable name of a prominent mega-church pastor in Singapore.

Some snippets from the article:

"The success of the church can be seen in it being the numerically largest congregation in the nation and with more than 70 percent of its membership comprising first-time converts. Moreover, the church has attracted some high-profile figures including acclaimed local film-maker and actor...."

"The pastor, who leads his church with his personality and gift of preaching, believes that the key to church growth lies in the importance of the leadership of the pastor. A pastor, according to him, needs to be effective in communicating the vision of the church to its members, and in motivating members through his or her messages."

Arguments aside about whether we should even think about such a "transit" from "traditional to contemporary", let's ask what it takes to make church relevant to the next generation in Singapore (in Asia, wherever..).

More fundamental than the Rev Dr Pringle's "Two words" and all that it represents is a "Two syllable" word in the Bible called Gos-pel - "good news". Contrary to popular opinion this isn't the "ask Jesus into your heart", "follow this outline and say this prayer", or even "give your heart to Jesus" type sentimental message that we often hear about, that is supposed to 'tip' people into a Heaven of abundant blessings and bliss.

Rather, it is the very "power of God for salvation" (Romans 1:16), the matter of "first importance" (1 Corinthians 15:3), the message by which we are "being (note present continuous tense) saved" (1 Corinthians 15:1).

While it is not easy to define Gospel simply, a definition which is quite comprehensive, summarising the Biblical data, and seeking "to capture its substance" is given by Jeff Purswell , the Dean of Sovereign Grace Ministry's Pastors College. He says,

“The gospel is the good news of God’s saving activity in the person and work of Christ. This includes his incarnation in which he took to himself full (yet sinless) human nature; his sinless life which fulfilled the perfect law of God; his substitutionary death which paid the penalty for man’s sin and satisfied the righteous wrath of God; his resurrection demonstrating God’s satisfaction with his sacrifice; and his glorification and ascension to the right hand of the Father where he now reigns and intercedes for the church.

Such news is specific: there is a defined ‘thatness’ to the gospel which sets forth the content of both our saving faith and our proclamation. It is objective, and not to be confused with our response. It is sufficient: we can add nothing to what Christ has accomplished for us--it falls to us simply to believe this news, turning from our sins and receiving by faith all that God has done for us in Christ.”

[Shared by C J Mahaney at the T4G blog]

Believing should then lead us to live rightly, and to do good works, "in step with the truth of the Gospel" (Galatians 2:14, James 2:18).

Rather than jazzin', hippin' and rockin' it up, perhaps a more pertinent task is to make the Gospel CLEAR to the next generation.. and indeed, this will take much of our creative energies. But, it will also take much of our resilience and tenacity and conviction, as we stand and not waver, when the waves of temptation come to bid us to give less or more than what the Biblical record (and hence God Himself) has given.. "It is finished!" The livin' word ain't ever out of fashion..

[I have much repenting to do. In my years of youth leadership - I had given the youth much fun and laugher. Much passionate preaching, even exposition, in the form of "dos and don'ts" that I said came from the Bible. Much exhortation to "give your all for God's cause". Much passionate and lively dancing and singing in "worship". Much prayer for the "supernatural work of the Holy Spirit". But also, much of my own insecurities. In all this, I did not feed them well, I did not tend to them as God's sheep, for I gave them little Gospel in what I taught, in how I lived, and in what I was most passionate about.

Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner... May the light of your Gospel shine first into our hearts, and then through us to the next generation. You have given all we need for life and godliness! Amen.]