"The Church of What’s Happening Now”

As the star of a successful variety show 40 years ago, Flip Wilson created a recurring skit playing the character Reverend Leroy, minister of the “Church of What's Happening Now!” His church, although otherwise quite unsanctified, was aptly named as an expression of relevancy for the 70’s generation.

Today, in the spirit of relevance, churches design services to be less assaulting to un-churched persons—lighting, music style, and technology meld together for a sensory experience. Dan Kimball of the Vintage Church says, “While the seeker-friendly era was successful in bringing a generation of baby-boomers to Jesus, that time is past. Now we need to find new methods that will reach this new generation."

The new churches keep things chill, friendly, entertaining, avoiding anything that would scare people away. But will "The Church of What's Happening Now" be one that keeps His word, honors His name, and stands up for sound doctrine without compromise? Certainly, the goal of each new generation is to communicate the Gospel in a way that can be understood by theirs. The challenge ahead for them is in refusing to compromise with the culture, that is, making changes while still making disciples.