I found this guy, and I don't mean to sound unkind...but to people like myself who weren't raised in church-or in his words, 'unchurched', it seems like he's trying WAY too hard. This is kind of an example of what I was talking about in my last couple of posts, in regards to being relevant to the 'unchurched' as he really seems to go for. Although I'm sure he's great and has impacted many lives-even non-Christians- his approach would have rubbed me the wrong way growing up not going to church. His blog inspired a few suggestions for pastors who are trying to impact this generation.
For one: if you are clearly over 35 and a pastor, using words like 'freakin' and 'jacked' is the cool equivelent of your parents doing a rap about staying off drugs.
Secondly: Bragging about cussing at Christian events may make you seem 'edgy' to hip people who grew up in church, but I would have seen you as a hypocrite. I wanted to see a shining example of a person when I didn't know God, and that stuff discouraged me.
Thirdly: If you really want to be 'relevant', they normally like to be called 'teenagers'...not 'youth'. When I was a teen, I knew to avoid an event like the plague if 'youth' was printed anywhere on the flyer.
Lastly: Just food for thought (and this goes for me too) is calling people who aren't Christians 'unchurched' appropriate? Would you want to be called that if you weren't raised in a Christian home?
from J.D. Salinger's The Catcher In The Rye,
Holden Caulfied on a "cool dude" pastor talk...
"Then, the next morning in chapel, he made a speech that lasted about ten hours. He started off with about fifty corny jokes, just to show us what a regular guy he was. Very big deal. Then he started telling us how he was never ashamed, when he was in some kind of trouble or something, to get right down on his knees and pray to God. He told us we should always pray to God-to talk to Him and all-wherever we were. He told us we outta think of Jesus as our buddy and all. He said he talked to Jesus all the time. Even when he was driving his car. That killed me. I can just see the big phony bastard shifting into first gear and asking Jesus to send him a few more stiffs."
Posted by: Whiskey Davey | February 25, 2007 at 05:24 PM
I know you and I know Gary. He's the real deal. His words, mannerisms and language is just Gary...being Gary. He doesn't do it just to sound cool or look hip. That is actually how he talks all day...every day. His blog is meant for other church planters...not the general public at large. Knowing you and your vision...knowing Gary and his vision...you guys are heading to the same place. He's just doing it for 30-something redneck men in an Atlanta suburb...and he's achieving that goal. He's not trying to reach you or your generation. On the other hand, I am...and I really enjoy your blog. I can't wait to grab a bite with you guys again! Maybe you can get your mom to make some more apple crisp (hint, hint, nudge, nudge)! :-)
Posted by: Chris Elrod | February 26, 2007 at 08:45 PM
HA! Just found your blog through Chris Elrod's. Honestly not trying to be anything. I just turned 30 so I guess I can still use freaking and jacked up. :) I am who I am and that comes across on my blog and in the church I started.
I wasn't raised in church either and I'm just being me. Sorry if you didn't like it....actually I'm not but I do enjoy your blog. :)
Posted by: Gary | March 14, 2007 at 09:39 AM