Bethel City Church - Church for the Google Generation

Bethel City Church

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Church for the Google Generation

Bethel City Church is championing church for the 21st century. Many consider this to be copying mega and successful churches but this is not what we mean here. Pastor James Galloway writes with insight into what church for the Google Generation is all about:

I have the awesome privilege of leading a great church. I am 33. I say this not to celebrate my young disposition but to emphasise that here at Bethel City Church we are not theorising about the Google Generation but it is a description of who we are.

I believe that there are 8 factors to a winning formula in building a church for the 21st Century:

1. Accessibility - Bethel City Church is pretty much a church that never sleeps. There is always something going on. People of the 21st century don't stop buying when the shops close - they go online. Pizza time can vary from 9am right the way through to 9am!!??! We need to realise that people of the Google Generation love church to be fully accessible whether this be in our programme, websites, relational activity or even leaders - we have to be accessible.

2. Strategy - The most frequently asked question by the Google Generation is 'Why?' - if there is no answer to this question then we aren't interested. It still amazes me that we do church in the buildings that we can afford. No business or organisation does this. Our location matters! There has to be strategy/ reason behind where we meet. That is why we are aiming to establish 'centres of mission and ministry' in every postcode in the city. Why? We are a City Church and want people to know that the love of JESUS is not, like other things in life, a postcode lottery but a postcode certainty -JESUS loves, simple as that!

3. Environment - Much of what is declared about Jesus is from genuine and heartfelt people. However much of the way it is seen by the world is from shabby buildings called church that, if a resturant, would be shut down. We got to begin to take pride in our appearance. The environment that we present the Message of Jesus in is extremely important to this generation. We have spent the last 6 months enhancing our appearance and we want to be a church that Jesus is proud of like a groom is bride of his bride!

4. Investment - If we think that church is about Sunday morning attendance then we will loose the Google Generation. We have to ensure that this generation has something to live for, give them something to invest in and empower them to see a return on their investment. The Google Generation has to see a return on it's efforts - lives and communities transformed. It is often descibed as 'church hop' but we look for a church that will give us the opportunity to give. Attendance is nothing, giving is everything. Bethel City Church is growing partially through people transplanting from other churches, why, because there is opportunity to release all that they have into the house!

5. Loyal - I love KSWISS trainers. They are the only ones that I'll buy. There are many on the market but KSWISS are for me. Something that previous generations may not appreciate about this generation is that we are loyal. We are loyal to the branding that we appreciate. Much of what we do as church has more in common with the 19th century than the 21st century. Please, don't force us to be apart of church, release us to choose and then we will build our lives upon the church we recognise.

6. Compliment - I grew up as a PK [pastors' kid] and my childhood memories are of competition with the church down the road or neighbouring city. Now as senior pastor of Bethel City Church, I can honestly say that I champion Sean Smith [Senior Pastor, Hope Community Church] and others like him in their pursuit to build great churches in this city. The Google Generation is not built upon competition but we know that we are building church that Compliments other churches in this city. It is awesome to have such friends as Phil Barber [Potters House] who have such different church backgrounds as I but we are all working to reach this city for Jesus together. Churches that attract people of the Google Generation are secure and compliment what God is doing, not insecure and competing with others.

7. Community - Bethel City Church has the wonderful www.lovestoke.org based out of our main campus and offices on Leek Road, Abbey Hulton. The Google Generation is more than used to media coming at us from every direction. Mobile phones, internet, TV, DVD, you name it, it's in our face. If church is only operating with one expression - Sunday morning, then you will loose us. As a generation we thrive on diverse ways of communication. We have to build church in a way that communicates the Christian faith in various ways. Community action does this. Ministries like www.lovestoke.org is unique in it's abilitiy to gather people from all walks of life, be mobilised and tangably demonstrate JESUS to the community. We have over 100 volunteers of which most are part of the Google Generation. We love being interactive!

8. Public - And finally, here at Bethel City Church, we recognise the importance of being in the public eye! As a Google Generation, we are at the forefront of revolution; the epicentre of tackling environmental issues such as global warming; the driving force behind demolishing discrimination and prejudice; pioneering effective ways of making poverty history; excel at being community activists and committed to ensuring we hand something better on top the next generation. As a generation we are no longer interested in reading the headlines, moaning and praying. Our attitude is one of pray, act and make the headlines - this is the type of church that the Google Generation wants to be apart of.

In conclusion, usually when this type of stuff is written people respond with such comments as 'unless the LORD builds the house...'

Honestly, please don't!

We know!

We also know that God sent 'labourers into the harvest field' - HE WANTS US to get on and use the God-given initiative that HE gave us to do something that brings glory to Him.

Don't be a sceptic. Be an activist! Be a follower of Jesus!

Please!

Maybe see you Sunday!