: interesting observations Saturday, January 31, 2004

Dr John Sweetman Principal Queensland Baptist College

TEN PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT QLD CHURCHES

These comments are purely observations. They come from my interaction with pastors, students, and churches, but they are only personal impressions and are not supported by any objective evidence. I may have strong opinions about their effect on the church (both positive and negative), but in this article I make no attempt to critique, only to observe and perhaps provide some possible explanations.

1. The worship wars have been won for the moment by Hillsong. Most churches are quite similar in their style of worship, though not always their songs. After the diversity of the last 20 years, this is remarkable. Hillsong appears to be the model. A typical service in many churches would be six songs (including prayer, maybe Scripture, a promotional/pastoral segment, welcome time, and an offering), a sermon, and a final song.

2. The renewal movement has waned. There is not as strong an emphasis on waiting, feeling, abandonment, and power as there has been (at least in some churches). The Wimber era has given way to the Warren/Hybels era. The more introspective emphasis on being with God and seeing God in worship, has been replaced by a greater community focus on growing and encouraging in worship.

3. People are tired of just doing church. Some people are coming later and less often to church services. The “faithful” are diminishing. Some are asking whether “church” contributes to their spiritual life. This may be driven by consumerism, lack of the significance of God in normal life, or the apparent lack of the movement of God in community times.

4. In the larger churches, baby boomers rule. The churches are big, busy, and corporate. There’s lots of activity in the larger churches. They are often pastored and led by boomers (born about 1945 to 1963). Some are wondering who will take their place.

5. Rick Warren is probably the leader with most influence in Western churches. His practical ideas and media savvyness have proved a strong combination. His focus on intentional ministry (purpose-driven), strong management, and effective, accountable ministries has become the focus of many growing churches.

6. In society, Christendom (an alliance of church and state) has been replaced by McDonaldom (an alliance of commerce, advertising, popular culture, and the media). McDonaldom is all pervasive and has infiltrated the church. Most people are preached at all day by McDonaldom. No wonder it has so much influence. McDonaldom is not against spirituality but it is strongly anti-Christian.

7. Everyone is concerned about evangelism, but it’s tough to change. For all our talk and concern about outreach, little has changed yet at a personal level. Few people are seeing their friends come to Christ. Some factors that contribute to the status quo are the lack of radical difference between Christians and others, the lack of the daily reality of God and need for God in our lives, and the stress of life that leaves little energy for touching the lives of others.

8. The emerging church has not really emerged yet. Experiments are continuing in Queensland, but there are few success stories yet. Perhaps the conservative nature of Queensland means that new things happen more slowly. Perhaps the emerging church will never have a strong following. Time will tell. (If you’re not sure what I mean by the “emerging church,” check out my article on the QBCM website.)

9. Legalism is diminishing under the weight of grace, broken people and permissiveness. It’s hard to maintain your rules, when those you love and/or respect disobey them. Reactions to this change vary according to personality-type, theological understanding, and previous experiences, but in our churches there is less judgment of people by their external conduct and greater acceptance of a range of attitudes and behaviours.

10. There is a growing desire to work together. Denominational distinctives and pastoral pride and protectiveness are diminishing. People are praying, ministering and worshipping together across churches and across denominations. In the face of an overwhelming flood of secular opposition, Christians are focusing more on what they have in common rather than what separates them. There is a growing understanding that we need each other.

This and other articles by John are on the QBCM website (http://www.qbcm.org.au <http://www.qbcm.org.au> )

under “Resources.”