First, my apologies for not posting in the last few days. I have preached 7 times in the last 4 days and my 97 year old aunt died yesterday. I will most likely reflect on her life in the next few days.

As I have written about old and new ways of doing church and old and new styles of pastoring, I had a chance this past weekend to experience both worlds in rapid succession. Sunday I preached 4 times at Newspring Church. This is one of the 20 top Innovative Churches in America according to recent study. It had lights and videos and a coffeeshop in the atrium. Over 8,000 people attend every Sunday from all age groups and backgrounds. I have been the teaching pastor there for about a year and have been friends with their pastor for over 17 years. I have seen the church grow from a Tuesday night bible study with 12 people to a gigantic church with an even bigger heart to glorify God and win the lost and unchurched. It was big and new bright and exciting and packed. There was a band leading worship that was as professional and perfect at Matchbox 20 or Third Day.

The very next day I began an old school 3 day revival at Crestview Baptist Church in Boiling Springs, NC. The church is 2 miles from my house and will seat 320 people max, and that would be a violation of firecode. It is smaller when you compare numbers, and there is no cool lighting system or video clips. And though there was no coffeeshop out front, they had a meal every night at 5:30 so that people who worked til 5 could come straight to church and eat (for free). They came in their work clothes. Black people and white people, country people and college students. There was a choir and special music each night. And over 20 people put their faith in Jesus for the first time in the last 3 nights.

Two totally different approaches to church. Two totally different churches. AND I LOVED THEM BOTH. And on top of that, GOD USES THEM BOTH. These churches reflect their communities and they are reaching their communities. I could argue about my personal preference, but what does that matter? IT MATTERS FOR NOTHING.

What matters is that the gospel is central, the worship is authentic, the people are genuine, and Christ is glorified. We must admit that our presonal preferences are just that; they are personal to us and we prefer them. So whether you like your old hymns with an organ or your new anthems with a Gibson Les Paul, rejoice that God is bigger than an OLD or a NEW BOX.

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