mediumessage :

It’s hard to find the line between relevancy and entertainment in a culture who's language of communication is visually stimulating media. The ever changing church leads me to questions of form and content. If the naked truth of Jesus does not suffice, and a message of grace and love for a broken world is not enough to reach this generation, then isn't the shift to new and more relevant forms communication just a facade? If a man with a God given message of truth and love is no longer enough, then are we trying to reach a generation who has and will continue to accept a relevant medium, but not the message? It's not that they don't undestand a plain and simple message. And it's not they can't listen... it's that chose not to. What is more relevant than what is most needed? And what is more needed than a message that is true; a message that is unchanging, unwavering, unbreakable, and most importantly; undeniably different from the paper and plastic life being sold and/or shoved down the throats of a generation that knows little else than consumption? This is the concumption-concumed generation, of which I am an active member. This is my struggle; how to break into a generation that only wants, and only knows entertainment ... without just simply entertaining them. As much time and energy as we might spend creating programs and events that fit the visually over stimulated culture and its subsequently visual language of communication… is this still taking the easy route? I do believe that relevancy to the culture is important; in fact; I believe it would be counter productive to fight that cultural relevancy. As my world changes, so does its forms. Yet, this is only a productive tool if the medium does not become the message. If we find people in our churches who WOULDN'T be there if the video illustrations, cool lighting, intermission with snacks, snazzy pamphlets, and sweet sounding music were not ... we've found ourselves in this very dangerous position. I'm looking for the fine line. The fine line between relevancy and a message drowned out by lights, noise, and flashy images. It seems the truth of the matter is a gray area, but blurry as it may be, I know there is a place between the two. A place I may one day put my finger on.

THE FLIP SIDE IS:

Simply entertaining is not a problem found exclusively in emergent environments. When I look at the traditional church, I still see a subtle struggle between content and form. Is the traditional church just practicing some outdated forms of entertainment? I’m searching for the point where the music fades. That place “Beyond the music, beyond the noise”. The questions are the journey, the search: the adventure, the answers: the treasure.