One of the results of so many people knowing the Lord for so many years and then living so long is unexpected. It is counter intuitive to think that childhood or youth conversions would lead so many people to drop out of organized religion at 35 or 40. But, it does seem to be happening with great regularity.
I have tried to think about why so many churches are stuck in the rut of focusing only on a narrow age group. For years we have recognized that congregations tend to attract people from similar socio-economic strata. Now a lot of congregations appeal to only people of similar age and spiritual stage.
Seeker Churches have become quite successful by intentionally appealing to a certain age group. They play only styles of music that their target group will like and use language and metaphors they fully understand. It is "narrow casting" at its very best.
In many of the mega and fast growing churches that narrow group is mostly new believers who are 20 to 30 years old who have one or two young children. The "speaker" (no preaching allowed) is hip, the music cool and the atmosphere may be more like a concert than a worship service. There is very high entertainment value and the audience is energized.
This may work for new or recent believers but it is "too light" for people with spiritual seasoning. People who have known the Lord since childhood have heard many good speakers tell about Joseph's coat and Saul's Damascus Road encounter. They get bored or restless and do not know why. Many drop out and choose to attend "The Church of the Inner Spring" on Sunday morning.
What is available for such Seasoned Believers? Frankly, not much. Where does one find meat and ministry that excites them and keeps them involved with God and His word? Big churches need to intentionally plan ways to engage these Seasoned Men and Women in deep worship, prayer and ministry by planning services geared to their stage of spiritual development.
I know of one congregation that intentionally planned six services each Sunday morning and even had a home group meeting on Sunday morning. Only two of the services were similar in design. Each was designed to fit a certain target audience.
Even a small Pentecostal Congregation I know analyzed its service offerings and found them wanting in the area of attracting young families. The church and its leaders had come into being back in the Jesus Movement and specialized in two-hours of intense worship with tongues, intrepretaion, prophesies and animated dancing. The Seasoned Saints loved it and considered change almost heresy.
I have tried to think about why so many churches are stuck in the rut of focusing only on a narrow age group. For years we have recognized that congregations tend to attract people from similar socio-economic strata. Now a lot of congregations appeal to only people of similar age and spiritual stage.
Seeker Churches have become quite successful by intentionally appealing to a certain age group. They play only styles of music that their target group will like and use language and metaphors they fully understand. It is "narrow casting" at its very best.
In many of the mega and fast growing churches that narrow group is mostly new believers who are 20 to 30 years old who have one or two young children. The "speaker" (no preaching allowed) is hip, the music cool and the atmosphere may be more like a concert than a worship service. There is very high entertainment value and the audience is energized.
This may work for new or recent believers but it is "too light" for people with spiritual seasoning. People who have known the Lord since childhood have heard many good speakers tell about Joseph's coat and Saul's Damascus Road encounter. They get bored or restless and do not know why. Many drop out and choose to attend "The Church of the Inner Spring" on Sunday morning.
What is available for such Seasoned Believers? Frankly, not much. Where does one find meat and ministry that excites them and keeps them involved with God and His word? Big churches need to intentionally plan ways to engage these Seasoned Men and Women in deep worship, prayer and ministry by planning services geared to their stage of spiritual development.
I know of one congregation that intentionally planned six services each Sunday morning and even had a home group meeting on Sunday morning. Only two of the services were similar in design. Each was designed to fit a certain target audience.
Even a small Pentecostal Congregation I know analyzed its service offerings and found them wanting in the area of attracting young families. The church and its leaders had come into being back in the Jesus Movement and specialized in two-hours of intense worship with tongues, intrepretaion, prophesies and animated dancing. The Seasoned Saints loved it and considered change almost heresy.
Upon interviewing their young families and discovering that they would not invite friends to such a service they made a very courageous decision to change Sunday mornings into a "Seeker Sensitive" approach and have the traditional Pentecostal offerings at night.
All that is needed is a little imagination and creativity as well as the faith that God can handle variety in styles and leadership and a variety of ages and stage can be accommodated. To better understand the needs of Seasoned Believers, as well as younger believers, read The Critical Journey, by Janet Hagberg.
If you just cannot imagine how to minister to a variety of people, call me. I regularly consult with churches that are stuck. After all, I am "The Church Doctor".
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