Coach's Corner

Following Jesus in the 21st Century

The 21st century has brought many trials and struggles to the Christian faith. People following Jesus have been faced with new difficulties and new mindsets that question and doubt their beliefs. The North American culture has produced an influential number of post moderns who believe that truth is relative and that Christianity can be shaped and molded according to a person's specific needs. It seems like Christianity has been turned into a customized product where any consumer can add and eliminate features that they don't like, almost like a new customized computer. As a result, a consumerism mindset has formed where people clash and argue over different issues, nothing much to do with following Jesus or fulfilling his mission, but simply a debate over what features should stay and be added to feed our consumption our religious product.

Recently, the hot debate in Christian circles is people's preferences between Traditional and Contemporary. Whether this refers to traditional hymn music versus contemporary loud music, or the traditional black suit versus the contemporary jeans and a t-shirt, or even a traditional looking church building versus a contemporary multipurpose building, there seems to be an ongoing debate of which one is right and the other wrong and which one the church should adapt.

But are we wasting our time debating and asking which is better? Have we been focusing on the wrong issues? Has consumerism crept through the back door? Is there something more worthwhile talking about then traditional versus contemporary?

Ed Stetzer, author of Comeback Churches says this in his book,

"The wrong question is whether your church is 'traditional' or 'contemporary' and which is better. The real issue is whether your church is biblically faithful, acting as the presence of Christ in the community at large, able to relate Christ to people in culture, and is on mission. In short, is your church missional?"

Is our church missional?

Better yet, are you missional?

What does being missional look like?

In the simplest terms, "being missional" means "being a missionary" So the questions arises, are you being a missionary? Are you engaging the culture around you and bringing them a message of grace or are you content with a me-focused consumer-driven religion?

Following Jesus in the 21st century means getting back to the basics, getting back to the mission, and intentionally reaching out to those that don't know Jesus and extending grace to them. It means putting others' needs before our own needs. It means loving and accepting people before they choose to follow Jesus. It means entering the mission field of Durham with a heart full of grace ready to live life with others.

At King Street Church we are striving to be a missional church that's creating missional followers of Jesus who will engage the culture around them and bring a message of grace to people who may not otherwise hear such an impactful message. We are striving to be a church that is known for extending grace and loving people that no else might love. We are striving to be a church where life-change happens in people that we influence.

Following Jesus in the 21st century is simply participating and believing in Jesus' mission and watching the world change one person at a time.

So be a missional person...

Pastor Josh

Posted November 01, 2007