Changing of the generations

25 years ago, back in 1984, at the young age of 26, I started, at Pastor Walt Kallestad's request, a new worship experience geared to people in my age group at Community Church of Joy. With the help of Jeff, Diane, and my wife Jan, among others, we launched a new band we called, The Good News Band." The band consisted of drums, bass guitar, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keys, and vocalists. It was a long way from the organ my mom played each Sunday in church. The music was contemporary, using the styles and sounds my generation was raised on--high energy pop, pop ballads, rock and roll, etc. At that time it was a radically new way to do worship, especially in more traditional church settings. We used the latest in worship choruses, but more than that, we tried to use music that everyday people were listening to on the radio and integrating it into the message for the day.

While the music has changed, and the musicians have come and gone, 25 years later Jeff is still singing, Diane sings occasionally but now prefers to be behind the scenes, Jan is still playing keys, and Duon is still on the drums. And they still have it! And they will continue, along with Tony and others, to bring us great worship.

But it's also time for the next 26 year olds to start taking the lead for their generation. And we have a batch of talented young adults ready and eager to do some new things in worship to reach their generation, from music to communion to how the message is presented.

On June 28 at the 10:45 service the young adults (plus yours truly--the old guy) will be offering the worship experience. It will feature their age group leading the music, serving communion, leading the service, etc. This will be an experiment, one we hope to continue once a month during the summer. It will also be a work in process. But I suspect it's an experience whose time has come.

I also suspect, that as happened 25 years ago, not only will young adults enjoy this new worship expression, but some of us older people might as well.

We will probably ease into it a bit the first time out--but who knows (and we shouldn't assume this will be a screaming, loud rock concert. Their music is as diverse as is/was ours!). I am confident that it will be a rewarding, enriching experience. I've been spending time with a core group of our young adults and they are pretty amped about this.

So I invite you to try it out if you'd like. I invite you to keep this new venture in your prayers. And I invite you to tell your friends.