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RL
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2005
Total Posts : 12

Posted 8/18/2005 12:06 PM (GMT -6)

Here's a rundown on someone's ideas of three generations of churchgoing Evangelicals:

1 -- TRADITIONAL EVANGELICALS 1950-1975:

Cultural Situation: Modern worldview industrial society post-WW2
Communication Style: Print/Verbal
Generation: Booster/Traditional
Attitude Towards History: Distinctives of 20th century fundamentalism
Theological Commitment: Christianity as rational worldview, 19th century forms
Apologetics Style: Evidential/Foundationalism
Ecclesial Paradigm: Constantinian, civil religion Christ of culture
Church Style: Neighborhood churches, rural
Leadership Style: Pastor-centered
Youth Ministry: Youth Ministry
Education: Sunday school / Information-centered
Spirituality: Keep the rules
Worship: Traditional
Art: Restrained/Suspicious
Evangelism: Mass evangelism
Social Action: Small program in church

2 -- PRAGMATIC EVANGELICALS 1975-2000:

Cultural Situation: Transitional Paradigm/ Technological Society/Vietnam War
Communication Style: Broadcast/Presentational
Generation: Boomer/Innovative
Attitude Towards History: Fresh start / a-historical /Historical forms not “relevant” today
Theological Commitment: Christianity as therapeutic Answering needs/Jesus as
Friend/ Bridge between evidential and personal, pragmatic
Apologetics Style: Bridge between evidential and personal, pragmatic
Ecclesial Paradigm: Culturally-sensitive and market-driven, Christ above culture
Church Style: Mega-church, suburban, market-targeted
Leadership Style: Manager-CEO led
Youth Ministry: Outreach, fun programs
Education: Generationally targeted / Need-based
Spirituality: Prosperity and success
Worship: Contemporary
Art: Art as illustration, clip art
Evangelism: Seeker services
Social Action: Need-driven (AA, abortion, etc.)

3 -- EMERGENT EVANGELICALS 2000 - :

Cultural Situation: Postmodern worldview / Internet society / War on terrorism
Communication Style: Internet/Interactive
Generation: 20-something/Xers
Attitude Towards History: Need wisdom from past / Road to future runs through past
Theological Commitment: Christianity as a community of faith / Ancient-
Reformation between evidential and personal, pragmatic
Apologetics Style: Embrace meta-narrative / Embodied faith
Ecclesial Paradigm: Missional, counter-cultural, Christ transforms culture
Church Style: Small churches, back to cities, inter-cultural
Leadership Style: Team ministry, priesthood of all believers
Youth Ministry: Prayer, bible study, worship, social action
Education: Inter-generation / Not information, but formation
Spirituality: Authentic embodiment
Worship: Convergence
Art: Art as illustration, clip art
Evangelism: Incarnational embodiment
Social Action: Transforming culture

be not conformed, but be transformed...

Post Edited (RL) : 8/18/2005 12:09:29 PM (GMT-5)

might-be-don
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 830

Posted 8/18/2005 3:52 PM (GMT -6)

It's interesting that the church I once attended hung on to the TRADITIONAL EVANGELICALS up until about 2000. Their move into PRAGMATIC EVANGELICALS in 2000 was 30 years behind the times.

Two years ago I finally had to abandon their hopeless attempt at turning themselves into a mega-church and now am considering attending a EMERGENT EVANGELICALS church after two years of no church.

What a journey!

peace, don

^{The world's perfect, wouldn't change a thing.}

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