Different? Better?

I received yet another flyer in the mail from yet another local “community church.” No mention of sin or grace, forgiveness or cross. Lots of babble about being a different kind of church, a better take on what Jesus came to bring us, relevant sermons, real people on a journey, an alive youth group, and amazing coffee. Really?

A different kind of church. “Different” usually means confessing something new, novel, or watered down from what the one holy Christian and apostolic Church is and teaches. Beware!

A better take on what Jesus came to bring us. How can one improve on confession and absolution, the proclamation of Christ crucified and the totality of Holy Scripture, our Lord’s true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, a life of faith toward God and love toward neighbor?

Relevant sermons. Becoming a better you. How to do or achieve X, Y, or Z. Relevant means it’s all about you, rather than being about Christ for you. If it isn’t Christ-centered, cross-focused, and Law-Gospel-divided, then it’s not relevant.

Real people on a journey. As opposed to what? Robots sitting still? Real people are sinners. Real people need the Savior. And the only journey worth talking about is the daily dying to sin and rising to newness of life that is ours in Christ.

An alive youth group. Much better than dead kids, I suppose. But what does this mean? Life—true and abundant life—is found only in Christ, not in the gimmicks found in most youth groups.

Amazing coffee. When you have nothing substantial to offer sinners, you brag about your coffee. I prefer to drink deeply of Christ, who alone quenches my thirst.

God save us from different, better, relevant, real, alive, and amazing churches!