Are They Out There?

For about nine months several of us at DBBC have been holding a Saturday night worship service called "Refuge". It is intended to be an edgy and casual worship experience intended to reach a group of people who may find Sunday church unattractive. While the message is the same delivered the Sunday before in "big church", the music is much more contemporary and the dress is very casual. We have worked and prayed very hard for this to succeed. Now, after many months, the crowds are smaller than they were when we first began. The people who attend are great people. They are very committed and are there come rain or shine and it seems it has been raining more often than shining lately. But it isn't the group I anticipated reaching. Those who are coming are coming because this is a convenient time for them to come. Sunday mornings, for various reasons, are difficult for them. They are not necessarily young. For the most part they are as old as me or older. I still believe I felt a very strong appeal by the Spirit of God to reach out to another group as well. We are losing a great number of the upcoming generation to a society who doesn't give God a second thought. Is it possible to really reach them at all? Does any kind of worship experience really draw them to a place where they can connect with God and with others who are attempting to do the same? Are these people out there at all?

The subject of these non-committed members of the new generation was the topic my worship leader and I hashed out in our last meeting together. I was sharing some churches on the internet that were having services the way I think would reach this group. After watching and discussing the posibilities briefly Rick hit me with a statement I have been thinking about ever since. Are they here? Are we trying to reach a group of people who don't exist in Chattanooga? Maybe it's like fishing in a lake with no fish. No matter how many lures you try and how precise your cast, you will not catch fish that do not exist. He went on to tell me that he has been observing the culture in Chattanooga. Whether we like it or not it's not hip! It is very family oriented and that's a good thing. I'm certainly not complaining. It's a great place to raise kids, but it's still not very edgy. He has looked downtown, at the coffee shops, in the clothing stores and on the street and he believes they just aren't in Chattanooga. We had a great discussion because I value his opinion on this matter. He really is in touch with what's happening. Could it be my longing to reach this group is more a result of my own rebellious nature? Could I be one of the few around who is more relaxed in jeans in church or who likes the worship led by a guitar more than an organ? Am I just wanting to create a worship experience for myself or are there others out there that we just haven't been able to find or lure out of their hiding place? I would like your opinion. Many of you are just as committed as I am to reach as many as possible with the life changing message of the gospel. Many of you know the radical difference Christ can make in your life. What do you think? I look forward to hearing from you.

Pastor Ken       

Comments

[Janet Miller]

I don't know that the group you are searching for is out there, but what I can tell you for sure is that I attend Refuge with my 15 year old son and he truly enjoys it as much as I do. When we attended the Sunday morning services I always had a hard time getting him up and out the door to go and afterwards he was not very enthusiastic about the service. Now with the Refuge he arranges his plans around it and we have some very interesting talks on the way home. The message even though it is the same seems to reach him more than ever. He is very shy so that may have something to do with it since Refuge is such a smaller group but he actually shakes hands and talks to people there something he never did at "big church" I am very fortunate because he is a wonderful child and makes good grades, attends Chattanooga State already and is the youngest child that they have ever had attend---he is in the middle college high school program! I know he isn't exactly the "lost soul" that you are searching for but he does enjoy Refuge and I think many more teenagers would if we could get the message out there to them. Another thing is with it being on Saturday night it interferes with a lot of other activities that teenagers and younger adults have---I personally enjoy Saturday evening but it is something to think about.

[Kendra Joyner]

Hi Pastor! My husband and I have attended since 2002 and have been members since 2004. I have never been to the Refuge service because we are Sunday attenders. But I thought and still do think the idea of the Refuge is wonderful. In comparison or addition to what you've already said, in MY OPINION the issue may be location. I think people (singles and couples) who search for edgy places to eat and hang out (coffee shops, bistros, etc.) tend to live near the trendy areas like North Chatt., St.Elmo, and downtown. I know some of my secular friends did and really could have used a place like the Refuge, but were not going to look for it out in the "country." Which I consider us to be in. But with all that said, I believe if God is behind it and telling you to do this, then in His time it can be the best and biggest service ever...you know? And I'm glad you brought an edgy service to the "country." Thanks for being such a wonderful Pastor.

[Clint Steele]

Hi pastor, I attend Refuge one or two times a month. I do it to get revived. In an email earlier this week I suggested some ideas, and upon thinking about it I have some new ones as well. I like the idea another person posted of a different location. Not permanent but someplace where we can get to the people. A field or a park in the area. Another idea would be to have a block party at the church on a Saturday night. Food will bring anybody in. Finally maybe do some flyers and hang them on those light poles that are always covered with concerts on UTC campus. Thanks for being a beacon of hope to my family

[Drew]

Brother Ken, I've lived in Chattanooga all my life and I agree with Rick. I dont think the "hip & edgy" crowd you are trying to reach is in here at least not in our area (if they are and read this prove me wrong). I've been to Refuge many times and love it. Having walked away from church at a young age and not returning till in my 30's it is suited for the younger crowd. I'm like you, I like to wear jeans on Sunday and I like a guiter riff in my worship music as well. We even have some of that on Sunday morning. I think your doing all the right things, maybe the right people just havent heard about it yet. Like someone else has already said, maybe a different time and/or a different place will bring them in. Dont change a thing and keep following GOD.

[Kendra Joyner]

oooo....yea...a mobile Refuge...sounds cool...."Refuge on the move"....we need a road crew!! ((smiles)) The block party with food sounds good, too. But all that said, I know God will show what He wants for The Refuge service. I will be praying for that. See you in church!!