Institutional churches are attempting to update the traditional proclamation model.[1] Contemporary worship is an attempt to update the traditional form to create a proclamation event that draws a crowd for making disciples in the current sociological context. Growing megachurches known for contemporary worship, however, often have robust discipleship systems that gather the crowd in prevenient grace and disciple it afterward in sanctifying grace.[2] The discipleship system is the engine of growth in these great churches; copying the attributes of megachurch contemporary worship rarely results in quantitative or qualitative church growth. Poor quality worship with guitars, drums, projectors and a plexiglass pulpit is still poor quality worship.
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.
[1]For an example of an attempt to update the institutional church, see Brian D. McLaren, The Church on the Other Side (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003).
[2]This is the heart of Willow Creek’s seven-step strategy, which defines a process where seeker- friendly individual relationships as a means of prevenient grace lead to seeker-sensitive worship and finally to seeker-supportive small groups as a means of sanctifying grace. Cf. Bill Hybels, The Seven Step Philosophy (Barrington, IL: Seeds Tape Ministry, 1999), tape c9002.