If you haven’t read this opinion article in the Wall Street Journal, you’ll need to read it first. Oak Leaf Church was mentioned with churches like Mars Hill and Central Christian as “cool churches” seeking to “shock” people. The author referenced a series that we did more than two years ago. I’d like to offer a quick observation before getting to the real point.
I do not wear skinny jeans, and I pay $15 for my haircuts.
With that out of the way, let’s dive deeper into some of the content from the article.
First of all, there is a huge difference between trying to be cool and trying to be heard. The former has to do with a prideful position of the heart and the latter has to do with a desire to advance the gospel. We never set out to start a “cool” church, and I have no desire to be a “cool” pastor. In fact, I believe many at Oak Leaf Church would push back against the “cool” label and go to great lengths to describe how we are a real church for real people. Our desire has always been to lead people – ALL people – from where they are to where God wants them to be. The mission to advance the gospel is what compels us in ministry, not a desire to be famous or published. Our church isn’t comprised of hip, young, twenty-something evangelicals.
Secondly, I believe the article lacks perspective. There are a handful of things that we do as a church that are designed to attract attention and get people to church. Some things are intentionally bent toward attraction, outreach or evangelism. However, not everything is that way. The series he referenced did result in many people coming to church for the first time. However, the next series that we promoted with a custom website was a 17-week study through the Gospel of Luke called theJesusseries.com. Not nearly as provocative.
Third, things change. It’s kind of funny for me to look back on that series and see what we did. Honestly, I wouldn’t execute it the same way today. Perhaps I have grown as a pastor/leader or our church has matured some, but our church goes through seasons of ministry that propel us forward. We’re not the same church we were two years ago, and I predict we won’t be the same two years from now.
Finally, I believe it’s a mistake to say that young, hip evangelicals are pushing back against these methods. All of the examples cited in the article are growing, thriving churches! Perhaps the author himself has pushed back against these methods and has projected his disdain on his entire generation. I do not know Mark Driscoll and I’ve only briefly met Jud Wilhite, but in my experience, these men are leading healthy, Gospel-focused churches that want to reach and disciple all kinds of people.
Though the author calls us out, I actually agree with his bottom line point. I don’t believe lives are going to be changed with provocative series titles, creative content or moving lights. It’s the Gospel of Jesus that matters – it’s God who changes people. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation, to everyone who believes. My calling is to teach and preach “sound doctrine.” Churches that value creativity over the Gospel, or authenticity over truth, devalue the power of the Word. Preachers that base their messages on a cool graphic or a free download do their congregations a disservice.
In the end, I’m going to order and read more of what he has to say and I just ordered his newest book, complete with the provocative title.
I have no desire to be cool. I just want to be faithful to do what God has called me to do.
