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Our “Why?” Determines Our "How?"

our why

Pastor Chris Hall

A lot has changed over the last couple years. I’m not talking about the pandemic or politics. I’m talking about church. 

For example: Dan Krueze took a call at another church, Clayton Smith came back in a transitional role. Paul Wesselink retired, Nancy Crumback moved on, all the while most of our young families left. As for Elevation, we've seen everything change!

The leaders at Newhall were given the choice of either closing the doors or radically starting over to reach the surrounding community and especially the young people and “dudes” of Wyoming with the gospel.

Both options were going to be difficult. “Easy” was not on the table but closing would’ve been at least quicker as everyone would’ve been able to move on and find another church home, likely much closer to home, without having to change something you loved.

Instead of picking the path of less resistance your leaders chose to move forward, taking the harder path into an unknown future, trusting the Lord while faithfully obeying the Great Commandment. A path that required many changes to things they loved.

our why

Our goal is to utilize the building God gave us to reach the surrounding (very diverse and largely unchurched) community. Remember we’re intentionally engaging young people and men who aren’t part of the church. We want to create disciples of Jesus out of that young family around the corner. We want to raise up our next Pastor who might today be a student at Wyoming High School who has not yet experienced the gospel. Who knows, the next “Saul of Tarsus” could live in Ramblewood.

You’ve told me how much you long to see your children, grandchildren, husband or non-believing friends come to know Jesus in a saving way. That means making disciples who make disciples. Discipleship begins with evangelism. Evangelism is fishing for people or, as the bible says, being “fishers of men” (and young families). We want them to be saved and to become part of our little church family on mission together. That is why we are doing what we’re doing. That is our “why?”.

Why so many changes? Starting from scratch gives us the ability to move or eliminate any roadblock to people experiencing the gospel. Our MESSAGE—The Gospel of Jesus found in God’s holy and inerrant Word—is not being watered down. It’s the power to save, sustain and raise the dead. We keep the message passed down from Apostles to us. I hope you know me enough by now to trust I hold the scriptures in very high regard.

Our METHODS? HOW we do what we do, now THAT needs updating. The world is very different in 2023 than it was when Newhall began in the late 1950’s.

So our “why?” will determine our “how?”

If you want to catch largemouth bass you don’t fish Lamar Park’s pond, you head out on Green Lake. Lamar Park is a few hundred yards from my house. Green Lake is in, like Barry County or some far off place. Sure would be more convenient for me if I could walk over to Lamar Park.

Now if you want to catch goldfish you go the Meijer pet department (is that even still a thing?). My point is: You must be wise in order to catch your fish because fish don’t care about your preferences.

Fish don't care about your preferences.

If something we (inside the church) prefer gets in the way of people hearing, believing or obeying then we need to examine it. Chances are it needs to change or go away. 

That’s the thing about preferences: They aren’t right or wrong, good or bad, they are simply a preference. You like eating bass, I like eating those little goldfish crackers. And we can still be friends and family, united by the Holy Spirit. And if we want new people in our midst it requires meeting people where they are—NOT expecting them to come to us. That requires us to be inviting, hospitable, welcoming and accomodating. Fish don’t just jump into your boat!

What does it look like to go to them? The top three things we have agreed to tackle are 1. Updating our music to a modern, contemporary (though not cutting edge) style. 2. Building a solid kids and youth ministry. 3. Updating our sanctuary to a modern worship space. All three meant to fuel discipleship.

How we do what we do is 100% shaped by our "why?"

How we do those “big three” is 100% shaped by our “why?”. When Newhall began, pipe organ and choirs were normal. In 2023 there are very few young people (even within the church) who listen to pipe organ music in their headphones. Having people in robes sing AT you is not a normal everyday thing anymore outside a choral concert.

Is that bad? Not al all! It’s just a different. You can still enjoy choirs and pipe organs. That is your preference. And it is not in sync with the music of our time. You could go all organ with choirs because it is your preference but would that be a wise way to catch fish?

So our music is guitar or key based and we sing a number of old hymns with modern arrangements. We even sprinkle in songs many of you sing in the car that you hear on Christian radio. Those aren’t my preference but, ideally, our music is accessible to everyone while nobody feels like it is completely to their liking. If the music perfectly suits your tastes than we probably missed the mark. If what we do doesn’t make us a LITTLE uncomfortable then we’re probably off target. Because it's not about us or our preferences.

We want to reach guys so the design choices we made lean masculine with a move away from floral displays of old. Young people today are easily distracted so we want to create a space that minimizes distractions. People don’t own bibles these days so we have bibles in our seats that can be bought in bulk at a low price and given to visitors vs bibles dedicated to loved ones.

There is a reason why we do what we do. Almost every change is part of our plan. But not every change for “them” is going to be popular with “us”. In fact, a lot of our changes are unpopular with longtime members. But “fishing” in our situation means all of us wisely sacrificing our preferences in order to see many come to faith.

Another example is our sanctuary. Modern worship spaces are very different today than they were when our building was built. Churches who are growing and reaching unbelievers and those outside the church do certain things very intentionally. Remember, fish don’t just jump into their boats.

One thing you’ll notice about churches with many young people is the lighting. It is darker with no windows. This might seem strange or even “bad” according to your preference for natural light but there are some very good reasons why they do it this way:

  • It helps to reduce distractions in the room.
  • People naturally focus up front.
  • Our new visitors feel more at ease and less conspicuous.

That is why we are reworking our lighting and closing the blinds. We are still in the middle of the remodel. So what you’ve seen the last few weeks is not our finished product but the “feel” of what we’re going for is that modern, contemporary look found in the churches who are effectively catching fish.

Is is darker? Yes. Is it finished yet? No, so please at least give the new system a chance before becoming too upset. Is this a wise direction? I believe so.

modernworshipspace

                             Samples of modern worship spaces

If you wonder "why are we doing ________?" then start here:

Our "Why?" is to see your children, grandchildren, husband or non-believing friends come to know Jesus in a saving way.

If you still aren't convinced, seek me out and let's talk. 

Are we going to get it right with every change? Nope. But we will keep moving forward, leaning on grace and inching toward God’s future for this church. 

Thanks for all the positive, encouraging words. I appreciate especially when longtime Newhall folks catch the vision and become excited about all (or at least most) of our changes. This isn't going to be easy. We didn't have an easy option. But it is worthwhile.

I can’t wait until we start doing baptisms and welcoming new members. I’ve seen how beautiful it is and I know there will be many tears of joy. Keep on praying, leaning in and trusting the Holy Spirit to lead this new effort.

Now let’s go fishing…