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Insight's to the Word with Pastor Teague!
I am frustrated again. I know it’s just me. No doubt about it. But here I go again wondering how we are successfully going to reach the next generation of faithful attendees to our churches. Yep. It’s probably just me. But after watching two very identical news casts this weekend – I am left with questions. I know some of these I and others have arrived at already. They are not new questions. But they are, in my limited frame of thinking anyway, questions that we have to answer – at least those of us who are attempting to shepherd God’s wonderful sheep in a more…well…traditional manner. Tradition being that of actually going to a place of worship as opposed to not going at all. I digress.
This past weekend I watched snippets of Fox News and CNN run vignettes on the “millenia faith folk”. Yes, those 18 – 30 year olds that we are struggling to keep in our churches. Heaven forbid I use the term “pews” but you get the idea. I learned that some 30% of this age group maintain their faith on-line. They hesitate to use the term Christianity and or evangelical. They are asking the “church” to consider something besides abortion and gay/lesbian lifestyles for a change. Things like the eco system and world hunger and child abuse.
I understand they think the “structured” church is too involved and or focused on homosexuality and abortion. While this are legitimate concerns for the church and we can in no way move away from them – I agree that we have to expand our horizons of world crisis. No doubt about it. Voice of the Martyrs recently informed us that over 500 Nigerian Christians were slaughtered. Men, women and children. There is no outrage over this nor is there a sense of world attention being given to it from our faith communities. Yes, we have to increase our horizons of both global and national concerns.
But on to a few questions that surfaced with these two news vignettes this past weekend. Seriously. Maybe I am not getting the full picture here but I have some legitimate questions maybe you can help me with. For instance….
1. How does this internet church connect with scriptural calls for fellowship? Is it in small groups?
2. How does this group become disciples? How do they go deeper in the practice of their faith?
3. Where does conviction and their on-line belief system come together? Does it at all?
4. How does this group financial support their “church” with tithes and offerings? I know this is controversial so let me rephrase it to calm some of you down. How does this group support the kingdom with their contributions?
I realize the dynamic of this group is going to be more organic than the traditional models of evangelical church. I understand the models and terms being thrown around today. Missional, traditional, organic, emerging, emergent, and attractional. Yes…there are probably a few I have overlooked but you get the idea.
I can’t get this group out of my heart. They are a group that want’s ownership to the church they attend but have little time to commit that relevant ownership. They want leadership without ownership in some cases and ownership without…are you ready for this term….”followership.” Followership can be defined as actually connecting with a church and becoming a follower with actual hands on sacrifice, contribution, discipleship and commitment. I read recently where the 18 -25 year olds are not leaving their faith – they’re just leaving their church. While I understand this season of disillusionment they are dealing with I struggle to grasp where this all fits with what Paul defines as the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12. How do we connect them to the body of Christ when there is no practical way to connect them? When they are cyber attendees to an on-line church (one church claims they have 80,000 “members” on-line) – how does the body engage in movement as a body? Can we arbitrarily disconnect ourselves from the church? Can the hand say to the foot “I have no need of you?” I was just wondering because I am really struggling to see this distinct group of people connect to the body of Christ.
I am asking for your opinion. I am on the ignorant side of faith here and need all the help I can get.
Pastortimteague's Blog 
The “church” out of “the church” is an interesting phenomenon. While I am not quite sure what to make of it, the fact of the matter is that growth is explosive.
As a person who spends time on social networks like Twitter I see people gathering to worship online (not just via broadcasted services), grouping together for Bible study, meeting up for fellowship and going physically to minister to each other in times of crisis. They are even raising money when people are in need.
I have no answer as to how we will reach them. Some are studying the “whole Word rightly divided” and others only think they are. The later group burdens me most. Certainly you can relate.
Prayer is the beginning point. Only God knows the heart. He’ll give us what we need to minister to this group, if in fact they need a bricks & mortar building.
I must say, as disturbing as it is, that some of what I’ve seen is quite amazing. In some instances more ministry & discipleship is taking place then in local churches. With Talkshoe, BTR, Skype, TalkVox etc. it is possible for people all over the world find unity via the Internet. And they are. If their doctrine is sound it seems that this is a good thing. If not, it’s obviously dangerous.
Our greatest concern should be for the increasing false doctrines being preached & taught as true & the number of people embracing them. (many have sprung up in church buildings)
We need a move of the Spirit like we’ve never seen in our lifetime to sweep this world.
I have several friends who are part of the home church movement. People who gather together in small groups for times of worship, prayer and study of the Word. I’ve asked the above questions and the answer I receive is that the home based church more closely mimics the new testament church. Gathering together in the home to uplift and encourage while working together to disciple to the lost. I think many people of the 18-30 year range don’t feel where they “fit” into the church, and many don’t feel accepted and often leave the church because they are hungry for something more real and relevant to their own lives. I also think this generation has a hard time being honest and open in a large congregation which differs from the home church movement where accountability is higher and relationships are closer knit. Young people want relationships that matter and have purpose. Sadly so many of our churches don’t offer this.
these are perplexing questions for sure. i dont know why there is such animosity towards the christian belief, but from what i read hypocrisy, real or not is high on the list.when someone is definately in need a computer wont help them .i know this. this has to be known by the ‘ internet church ‘ theyll need a live person. some things unfortunately have to be experienced instead of learning from what has already taken place. but you have to first believe what you read, before you sell out and become a disciple!im not saying i have popular or all-encompasing answers, or that there even right;these beliefs that i have only add more questions. but im sure the group you are burdened for will be represented.