Is Your Church Indigenous?

Last night, our Sanctuary Choir presented the worship musical, How Great is Our God. This musical is similar to the popular musical, Evidence of Grace. The musical featured some powerful video of testimonies that celebrated the faithfulness of God. These testimonies led to a honest expression of worship.

For me, the musical was used by God to remind me that everyone, Christian or non-Christian, has troubles and worries. So, worship services should allow people an opportunity to worship in "spirit and in truth." People should not be constantly chided to smile. Yes, as Christians we have a lot to celebrate, but, throughout the sciptures, at times when God was encountered, people were overwhelmed and cried "Woe is me."

In Comback Churches, Ed Stetzer writes, "It's ironic that most evangelical churches are filled with people who live very much like the world but look different from it. It should be exactly the opposite. We should look similar to those in our community but act differently... In other words, we look different to the world, yet live the same as the world. How ironic that many churches have chosen to live the opposite of the biblical commands."

Paul wrote, "to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (I Cor. 9:22, NKJV)."

The message many unchurched folks have received is that they don't measure up and should not attend church until they get it all together. The hard truth is no one measures up. Church is not for people who are perfect, but for people who realize only through faith in Jesus can we ever get it together.

The Kingdom of God was designed for broken, grieving, hurting, confused, weak people. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." So, let's be real and honest about who we are...sinners saved by grace.