Comments on: Should church be cool? “Hipster Christianity” and the quest for authenticity

By: Tre'

Tre' — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 21:40:51 +0000

I am a fan of Christian hardcore music. I don’t do it in any effort to be a “hipster”. I just enjoy the music. Go look at For Today’s lyrics and say that they’re fakes or “hipster” Christians. Their lead singer is probably the most devout Christian I’ve ever met. His lyrics give me chills. The fact of the matter here is that the most people in the church are absolutely terrified of change. If a certain kind of music or image doesn’t fit in with what was the thing when they were kids, it’s shunned. A song’s beat, its rhythm, its speed, these don’t make a difference. Its the content of the lyrics that matters. Ive seen lines of people led to Christ by some of the bands I listen to. I get so tired of people calling my music “unchristian” because they dont enjoy it. I’m just gonna give you guys some advice: If you dont appeal to youth in some way, you’re not going to increase the size of your youth group. “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel. -Judges 5:3

By: patty

patty — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:07:38 +0000

I’m glad that you feel more connected to Christ but when I hear an ex Catholic say that they felt Jesus wasn’t present in Catholicism, I ask how much more “present” can he be than in the Eucharist? Sadly the Church has failed in so many ways the last couple of decades when it comes to teaching the faith.

Before you turn your back on Catholic Christianity completely I urge you to spend time in prayer before Christ in the Eucharist and also read about the history of Christianity. Good luck and God bless!

By: bridget winkler

bridget winkler — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:28:46 +0000

philippians 1:15Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help. 16They love Christ and know that I am here to defend the good news about him. 17But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am in jail. 18But that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are sincere or not. That is what makes me glad.

this seems somewhat similiar to me and Paul quickly moves past it focusing on Christ, not the sincerety of others

By: Christopher

Christopher — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:52:26 +0000

I think the motive behind ‘cool’ is the question. I pastor a church in Baltimore MD that is probably ‘hipper’ than most. We didn’t set out to be the next hipster church. It’s not our aim to make cool the priority in our gatherings. I think a part of the shift is the contextualization of the gospel which happens every generation (including Wesley and Surgeon). If it wasn’t important for us to engage our culture we would all be singing praise and worship in Aramaic and Greek.

Do we seek cool? If so then we are at fault for sacrificing the gospel and truth to fit in (see Ananias and Sapphira). But if we seek GOD in authenticity, which just happens to be a metro-sexual-makeover, a pair of chucks, lady-gaga references and video clips galore then so be it. Paul used his surroundings at Mars Hill to express truth, so I’ll continue to use our surroundings here in Baltimore Maryland United States to point to Christ.

By: James (UK)

James (UK) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:50:01 +0000

I agree with Deborah. We do need to connect with the younger generation. So many churches are full of v old people. Much of the Church in the West is dying out. So we do need to connect in an attractive way. But the question is: what are we communicating? Have we lost the Gospel. The big question is what is in the driving seat? Is it the Bible and the Gospel or is it the gimmicks? I need to bear that in mind when we put on fun special services (eg connected with Narnia). Is it showmanship or gimmicks or is there a worthwhile spiritual message there which will bring conversions and build people up in Christ.
Let the discussion continue. I am sure we can all learn.
Are there PRINCIPLES by which we can assess whether we are going too far the other way? (and perhaps give some examples)

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:54:23 +0000

this is what I think, In order to appeal to those who have no church upbringing, I say yes, be cool to draw them in – Jesus went to the people where they were at to relate to them, did he not? Particularly with the young and youth, we need to reach them where society has bombarded them with advertising and the like, however, never do I say we change up the Word or the Gospel. Appeal to the culture, but never set aside God’s Word and his message. Keep the bible in the for front and I see not harm. NOTE: do not disquise the true Word or change it – the bible speaks of false teachers, etc., so do not be deceived. Do not look to the “messenger” but the message and all should be cool.

By: David

David — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:35:25 +0000

I’m old, old school… Book of Acts old school. I’ve been around for 53 years and it looks like we’ve all missed the mark, I’ve yet to find any Church that resembles the first Church in the book of Acts. Maybe we should follow their example by fasting & praying more and being lead of the Spirit. Eating, sleeping, and drinking the will of the Father. Loving the Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving are neighbors as our self. Then the latter rain will come and God will pour out His Spirit and restore His power to His people. When the blinded eyes are being opened and the Word of truth is being preached you won’t need “things” to bring people to God. That day is upon us, God is calling out His remnant of true worshipers and believers. Read the Bible and believe it, don’t let the traditional teachings of men confuse you. http://www.actsamerica.tv

By: Janice Cook

Janice Cook — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:53:38 +0000

I wish you were hot or cold but because you are luke warm I will spit you out of my mouth. But also it is written when in Roman do as the Romans do. The most important thing is be true to God and His word. Jesus ate with the sinner and he was rejected. Are we rejecting cool or are we rejecting God. I believe we need to get on our knees and ask the Father is this bringing someone closer to him or is it just bringing the world into the Church. Each needs to judge themselves with the Holy Spirit and the word least they, me, or you be judge by God. If we need wisdom then we must ask for it. Be careful in judging anyone if you have not first judged your own heart. Some of what we see is good and brings glory to God and then some things are just plain evil. Falling Short of his glory and what he, God is pleased with. First let us each examine our own hearts and then correct our brothers and sister in Christ, but always with love. But remember prayer is the best thing we can do before, during, and after.

By: Robert Tobin

Robert Tobin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:36:06 +0000

I have been in many cool Roman Catholic Churches, some of them extremlely cold in the winter. Some did have heating, but the Parish Priest was too mean to have it on.

By: Armywife67

Armywife67 — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:01:57 +0000

What difference does it make if a church is “hip” or not? If one is getting the teaching they need does it matter what they are wearing? Does it matter if they think they are cool or not? All that matters is hearing, living, learning and loving the Word of God!
That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.