You’ve read the description here, and maybe you saw it in the PCC Pathway Handbook. This weekend (Sept 1/2) you’ll hear a bit from Elements leaders in the PCC News. But if you’ve come this far and still don’t understand, then this post is for you.
“What once was a Christian nation with a Judeo-Christian worldview, is fast becoming an unchurched post-Christian nation. Tom Clegg and Warren Bird in their book Lost In America claim that the unchurched population of the United States is now the largest mission field in the English-speaking world and fifth largest globally. There are many great churches ministering to modern-minded people, but we must be also be passionate about emerging generations who aren’t connecting with current forms of ministry and thinking.”
- VintageFaith.com
The Tucson community is no exception to this growing trend in the US. New generations are emerging with a post-Christian worldview. For many in Generation X, Generation Next, and the younger as-yet-to-be-defined generation, Christianity and the Church are no longer relevant voices amongst the thousands they hear everyday through relationships, media and the Internet. If you aren’t keen on generalizations, let me give you a personal experience (as a humble 24-year-old who grew up in the church).
I know a lot of unchurched people, many who I call friends. But most of them have a strong distaste for Christianity. Hypocrisy is the first thing they think of whenever anyone mentions the Church. Exclusion is usually the second. One of my good friends has a roommate who is bisexual. She recently posted a blog on her MySpace that questioned why Christians are so quick to exclude her. The post was beautiful (I won’t share it here though for privacy reasons), and she made it clear that she has a deep desire to be a part of something bigger. I think she is searching for God, and she knows Christianity is a good place to look. But – she won’t have anything to do with the Church. She is condemned for her lifestyle before she even walks through the doors. She may have no concept of sin, but she’ll never get the chance if Christians don’t stop hating on her. Jesus calls us to love everyone; our friends, neighbors and even our enemies. How can we reach and love an unchurched person such as this?
Elements is (and is not)…
With Elements, we at Pantano are seeking to create a gathering of emerging worship, where love and inclusion are rampant. People at any spot in their own faith can come and participate in corporate worship. The gathering is a place to experience authentic faith and spirituality, the thing so many people are looking for. Our worship is Christ-centered and non-individualistic. The Holy Spirit guides us and draws us together so that we can approach God and adore him. Sometimes this will look like progressive worship, other times it may even include ancient traditions of the Early Church.
We are also seeking to become not just a weekend gathering but a missional community. A community where we don’t “go” to church because we ARE the church. Tucson is a legit mission field: economic poverty in the south and spiritual poverty throughout. The Elements community will be actively participating in this mission field, bringing Church to the unchurched, rather than forcing the opposite (bringing unchurched to the church).
Elements is not a place where established biblical doctrines are questioned. Church practices may (and should) be questioned, filtered and scrutinized. But we are the same Pantano Christian Church that believes in the divine words of the Bible. Theology will not be watered down. In fact, it will be saturated as we approach topics conversationally and yet unapologetically. Teaching will primarily come down the pipe from PCC’s Teaching Team and the PCC Live service. As a video-based venue in Towne Hall, there will be many opportunities to have open conversation about who God is and what he is trying to teach us.
Elements may not be the best place for frustrated Pantano people who are simply looking for a music style different than PCC Live. Why not? Well, simply because you may not like Elements worship either. Sometimes it will be loud, but in my experience as a worship leader, acoustic worship is where the Spirit dwells most often, so I’m gonna be there too. If secular (non-Christian) culture offends you, then you may feel a bit uncomfortable as much of the atmosphere in our gatherings will be built around the culture that emerging generations are comfortable with. If, however, you like when new routines break monotony, you like to approach things conversationally, you are immersed in secular culture, and you have a desire to worship our creator – you’ll instantly relate.
