How Long Does Contemporary Last?

I attended a pastor's conference last week which covered a number of theological trends that are taking place in the Western church. I found it fascinating to analyze the cycles in the church. The Emergent Church (with its positives and negative/s of aberrant or heretical doctrine from some corners) is a reaction to the Seeker Sensitive church (which also had some positives as well as negatives). The Seeker Sensitive church model was designed to make church familiar to those who were not familiar with church. If it looked like church, smelled like church, sounded like church, it was to be jettisoned. Hence, the getting rid of church symbols such as the cross, stained glass windows, organ music, etc., and the introduction of the praise band performed (intentional choice of word) by professional or semi-professional musicians. The appearance was to be that of attending a concert, with an inspirational talk added with the goal of attracting unchurched people to "church."

The Emergent Church has jettisoned the Seeker Sensitive church model with the goal of making church look like church, smell like church and sound like church. That is the reason that many of those espousing this model (or conversation) have returned the cross, stained glass, organ music, or even chants, incense, and other "churchy" things. They want to experience church. They are rejecting the professionalism and entertainment aspect of the Seeker Sensitive model which they have interpreted as phony with the desire of participating in the worship experience. [Note: I realize that the Emergent Church is broad and divergent and that these comments are a broad brush]

It has been noted recently that some churches are rediscovering hymnbooks!(link) May God grant us the wisdom to maintain our purpose and direction as we seek to be faithful to Him and to our call.

Concluding note: now, when someone phones the church office and asks, "do you have a contemporary service," I wonder how we should respond?