Let’s be clear; the terms “traditional” and “contemporary” aren’t clear. Yet, these are the labels we like to place on church, church music, styles of ministry, etc. They aren’t clear because these terms are fluid. What was once traditional is now ancient. What is now contemporary will soon be traditional. What is ancient will soon be labeled progressive. These are slippery terms, but terms that people like to use to define the style of how a church does ministry. Often these labels create division:

“What was so wrong with traditional church that you had to make it contemporary?”

or they carry baggage:

“Traditional is soft and boring.” “Contemporary is loud (too loud).”

Both sides will use scripture to defend their preferred method of doing church and church music. The traditional side will consistently call people to be grounded and established in what has worked for many years. The contemporary side will push ministry forward to innovate and do the unexpected.

All of this leads to a question that I, as the Pastor of a church, hear all the time: “Are you are a contemporary church or a traditional church?”

It’s a well-meaning, but misguided question. Scripture says that Jesus has promised to build and protect His Church; what we often miss is why the Church exists. From the Gospels to Paul’s letter, it’s clear that the Church exists to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to the world. That is precisely what the earliest believers did.

Acts 2 records for us a miracle of hearing as the very first believers proclaimed God’s wonders and the Gospel. It says that everyone who was gathered there “heard them in (their) own tongues.” While this is miraculous intervention from God, I believe it what the Church must strive for today. We must speak the Gospel in the tongue our culture can understand and identify with. Each church must have cultural touch points that allow guests to know that these people live in the real world just like they do. Some churches will choose to sing “secular” songs as a touchpoint. Others will use sermon series and titles that mirror something in culture (like “GodTube” or “Mynopoly”). The point is that the Church must speak to the culture, not just to ourselves. If we fail to do so, the world will not hear our message. We will be yelling in the wind.

In light of all this, the question is not, “Are you traditional or contemporary?” but, “How is this church speaking truth and love to the surrounding communities?” The answers will vary. Styles will be different. We must realize that contemporary and traditional are ultimately styles of presenting the Gospel. I know of “traditional” churches that have lost touch of how to proclaim Christ to the world around them. I also know of hymn-singin’, every-week-communion-takin’, Sunday-schoolin’, VBS-havin’ churches that are making a tremendous impact in their community. The same is true of “contemporary” churches. The issue is not contemporary or traditional. The issue is fulfilling our mission as the Church, and each church being obedient to the style God has called them to. Your task is to find a church that is reaching culture is a style that you agree with so you can get involved and help them fulfill their mission.

May His Kingdom come and His name be made famous through the work of the Church!