I haven’t the slightest clue what he’s talking about. I’ve been in evangelical churches for years; currently attend one of about 1500 members here in Raleigh that is anything but “mall-like”. We are growing by leaps and bounds simply because we are a Word-based church that is, yes, ‘culturally relevant’ as well. Our praise music IS very high energy (I’m one of the lead guitarists), and why shouldn’t it be? We Christians have the most powerful message on Earth and it should be delivered powerfully, IMHO.
We are gaining members from many different churches; people who sought a personal relationship with the Lord and were not being shown how......or even allowed?......to do so in other churches. All too many mainstream denominational churches are just dead; stone dead. Sorry to sound harsh, but it’s true. They are going through the motions and their members are bored out of their skulls; they aren’t being fed.
I’ll leave it at that. The explosive growth of the evangelical church is precisely due to people wanting to rid themselves of shackles of other denominations, NOT wanting to go back to them.
Rightonline: I grew up as a Southern Baptist. I am very conservative in my theological views.
I left the Baptist Church when I married a Roman Catholic girl, and we compromised on the Episcopal Church. I know the Episcopal Church has its share of issues, but my particular parish and diocese are also very conservative, and I’ve found great beauty in the liturgical form of worship.
I am very happy that you’ve found a church home in which you can grow in the spirit. I believe I’ve also found such a church home for me and my family.
May the peace of the Lord be always with you.