In consideration of our new church, here is something I read from Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill church in Seattle.


Today, the traditional church and institutional church is hemorrhaging to death. In 1906, 40 percent of all Sunday worshipers were in mainline denominations. By 1999, that number had fallen to only 16 percent of all worshipers becasue less people were attending church and those who did were choosing the newer form of church. The end of Christendom and the transition to a post Christian culture is currently dominated by the contemporary and evangelical church, which is marked by the following common traits.



Missions is a church department that sends people and money to foreign countries.

Culture is where the church battles to regain a lost position of privileged influence.

The primary culture to reach was modern and is transitioning to postmodern.

Theology is conservative and is built on a modernistic view of truth and knowledge.

Churches exist to meet the felt needs of spiritual consumers.

Churches grow through marketing that brings people to church events.

Community means the church is a safe subculture that welcomes lost people into the church.

Pastors need not have formal theological training or ordination.

Pastors are CEO's who lead and manage their staff, which is responsible for ministry.

Lost people are invited to evangelistic church programs that target seekers.

Faith is private and personal but is openly shown at church.

Worship services are based on styles from the 1980's and 1990's (acoustic guitars, drama, etc.).

Church buildings are functional places (e.g. no crosses, no stained glass, no icons) where people can dress and act informally.



With Christendom essentially winding down now in the United States and officially over in Europe, the traditional and institutional church is dying as it's market share dries up, and the copntemporary and evangelical church is scrambling to adjust to emerging postmodern cultures and generations. A third incarnation of the church is arising, the emerging and missional church, which is marked by the folowing traits:



Missions is every Christian being a missionary to their local culture.

The church accepts that it is marginalized in culture and holds no privileged position of influence but gains influence by serving the common good.

The primary culture to reach is postmodern and pluralistic.

Theology ranges from ancient orthodoxy to heterodox liberalism built on postmodern denials of true truth and known knowledge.

Churches are the people who love Jesus and serve his mission in a local culture.

Churches grow as Christians bring Jesus to lost people through hospitality.

Community means the church is a counterculture with a new kingdom way of life through Jesus.

Pastors need not be ordained or formally educated in theology and are trained in the church.

Pastors are missiologists who train Christians to be effective missionaries.

Lost people are saved by the Holy Spirit when and how he determines.

Faith is lived publicly together as the church and includes all of life.

Worship services blend ancient forms and current local cultural styles.

Church buildings are sacred, as is all of God's creation.



God has given us an opportunity to become a church of the the third incarnation, a church that will reach a new generation for Christ. We should feel humbled and honored with the opportunity given us as we go forward to join God in his plan to build the kingdom of God.
-Monte Ingersoll