I Do Not Like The Phrase:

"CONTEMPORARY SERVICE"

Blech. To me, it is like saying Ford instead of Chevy. Saying Ford or Chevy does not mean anything specific; it does not tell you the model, the year, the color or condition of the car-- just that it is supposed to be a Ford or a Chevy.

I have many, many thoughts on this vague phrase and what it might mean to different people, but I want to list my own background first, to show you that I have, indeed, been exposed to different styles of worship. Here are the denominations I've been involved in over my lifetime:
1958-'65 Congregational (now called UCC; we played a lot of fun games)
'65-'67 Baptist (very traditional and fun service. I got saved there in 3rd grade)
'67-'90 United Methodist (Home to me, always)
In this church, I started in choir in 4th grade, and was in it through adulthood. This was also my church during the Jesus Movement of the 70s, and we put on several musicals, such as Tell It Like It Is and Natural High. It was not unusual to see drums in the sanctuary. We had a "blended" service even back then, but it was not weekly. We had a very open-minded and loving church.
'90-'92 Non-denominational (Parkside)(big and "correct")
I don't remember a lot about the music here. I have a feeling it was kind of plain.
'93 Scranton Road Bible Church
'93-'97 Free Methodist (a small country church right in the suburbs)
They used what ever music they could scrounge up. While Debbie was still around we had a great pianist. After that, they struggled to squeak out a song on a tape. I called it Christian Kareoke. It was hard after growing up at MUMC.
'97-'99 Non-denominational Fellowship Bible Church. Excellent blend, excellent worship and messages.
'99-01 Assembly of God plant (great people, REALLY loud service)
You would THINK we would have a giant screen up front, with words projected, but that only happened later on. When we first started, there were many times when the music was simply sung and you learned it by doing it each week. When you go to church here, you do not have a cross up front; you have a huge stage with lots of instruments and worship leaders. We could go on for quite awhile. People were slain in the spirit at times and it was so loud in that gym I had to sit in the hall. I had no time to think about what God was doing or saying so I MISSED my pew and my window. Those folding chairs grew hard and there were no classrooms. The people were wonderful and loving. But you could not get a directory, they had some strange communication and control issues and we got out right before lots of others did as well.
'01- Present: Evangelical Covenant
I got my pew, my son has a Classroom, I sit by the window and I can walk to this church. We have a "blended" style of music, an "alternative" style nighttime service with ancient tones and we do not have any small groups, except for the secret ones.
Also, during college I attended:
Presbyterian (traditional)
United Methodist (the one uptown was formal/the one on the west end was WORSHIPFUL and had tones of the southern rock of the times. It was the best.
and
Wesleyan (traditional but great).
During times of stress when great contemplation is necessary I find an Episcopal church or I just go to the woods, any season. I've also been to house churches and have participated on a Taize team.
Now, you can see I've been around. NOT that I recommend this, but that is the way it turned out.

What would be a drawing card for today's seeker? Interestingly enough, I was talking to a co-worker yesterday who was attending a service with praise music this weekend, only because a friend's child was getting dedicated. Although raised a Catholic, she does not attend church any more. This praise music did not do a thing for her. She is a very well-traveled, artistic woman with great business savvy. The music was not a "draw." The service was not relevant to her, either. With much dismay, she was shown a radical video and speech about a recent controversial fictional book (with Mona Lisa's face on the cover) and found it rather obnoxious. Now, I know without thinking that this is NOT the kind of contemporary service we are referring to. I've actually been to that church for their Thursday night services, and I even like it, but I take all the rowdy fearful conservatism with a grain of salt: They really do mean well.

Note: I really look like a "church-hopper," but I don't like that. Let me at least explain why I have at least 8 churches in 45 years listed.
Congregational to Baptist: Hey, I was only a little kid. Good thing Donna Cook invited me to get on the VBS bus when I was only in 3rd grade.
Baptist to Methodist: Again, I was only in 4th grade when we moved to the other side of town. Cool thing was, the very pastor my dad had as a youth (and also married my parents) was the pastor at the Methodist Church. I stayed there for 23 years, so I can't say that is church-hopping.
Methodist to Parkside: Well, Revs. Hufman and Foster had both moved. I also broke an engagement and did not want to be in the same place as this pain. Although it took me almost 10 years to gradually leave, I then attended, The MegaChurch, The Chapel, which is now called Parkside.
Parkside to Scranton Road: Well, after 3 years at Parkside, I got pretty lonely. It was partially because of being single and having nothing to do afterwards. It was also because a friend I brought pointed out the formula used in bashing your church, making you feel like it was going down a liberal path... What it came down to, though, was its apparent lack of service at the time.
Parkside to Scranton Rd: I loved this inner-city church and still do. It was just too far away for me.
Scranton Rd. to Free Methodist Church: I was here for about 4 years and was quite active. But 35 people in service was just too hard. The first pastor made sure to tap into our gifts and get us into service. The guy who replaced him simply put all our gifts on the shelf and he was too worried about what the carpet color was in the basement. He was very nice and really ministered to many, but it was just too hard to get anywhere. The music was awful, too.
FMC to Fellowship Bible Church: I also loved that church and we attended for about 2 or 3 years, but it was just too far away. Our kids did not know any of the other kids. We got there late a lot.
FBC to Word of Grace: This was a good church for us for awhile, but when our kids got abducted, I longed for a service that was more like the one I grew up with at Mayfield Methodist. I needed a church that was established, solid, had windows (at WOG we met in a large, noisy gymn and there was a lot of hype) and I needed a moment to hear God. So off we went to:
Bethany Covenant: Now we are home.

Part Two to come. This is only the beginning...