I know a church that uniquely attracts 20-30 year olds who are largely white and upper middle class. I admire the impact. In some ways, it's like a niche micro-church. In the same way that Nike targets young adults who are anti-establishment, maybe we should incarnate the gospel to specific demographics? Isn't this what Paul meant when he said, "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some" (1 Cor. 9.22 ESV)?
As Christians, God calls us to go to the nations of the world. Doesn't this include sub-cultures? After all, we can't reach everyone with a mono-culture church, can we?
Great questions. I don't have the perfect solution. But I think we need beware of niche-driven micro-church for every sub-culture. Why? Because pursuing a community where everyone is homogeneous feeds our desire for personal preference in community and fosters exclusivity. Exactly what Jesus designed the church to guard against.
The church is meant to reflect something different: a community centered on Christ, rather than personal preference. God's desire was to make one nation out of different tribes where we love one another, prefer one another, honor one another in spite of our differences. Not because we are similar, like the same bands, drive the same cars.
On subjects where the Scripture has little to say, we ought to find our common ground in the truth of God's acceptance of us based on the death and resurrection of Jesus--not based on whether we believe coal should be banned, no child should be vaccinated, children should be home-schooled, or what political party you belong to. (Imagine growing a church that tries to reach families that home-school, don't vaccinate, deliver babies at home, use essential oils and chiropractic medicine, vote Independent and never buy from Amazon!)
Otherwise, how do we apply the verse, "Bear with one another"? If we are all the same, what is there to forbear???
It is in Jesus' church diversified, both cultural, political and racial, where my selfishness and pride have the most potential in being sanctified rather than seeking out a church or small group where everyone thinks like I do.
Let's disband the "Church of Me" and get back to the "house of prayer for all nations."
