Momentum Christian Church

LOST

Ever lost your car keys somewhere in your house? Ever lost your cell phone knowing the battery was dead? Ever lost your kid among the numerous clothing racks at the mall?

If so, you know what God means when he says that his heart beats for things – scratch that – people who are lost, wandering, searching, or scared. He wants the lost to be found…

• Student Ministry Cookout Jul 16 - 6:15-8pm

Mo Events

A Church For People Who Hate Going to Church

From the beginning, we want this to be very clear: Momentum is a church for people who hate going to church.

Some people don’t like church because it’s boring, irrelevant, full of hypocrites, and often led by greedy dudes who only care about your cash flow. And church is usually really boring, too. Did I mention that a lot of people hate church because it’s boring? I usually do.

I didn’t go to church too much when I was growing up. My grandfather took me to Sunday school occasionally when I was a kid. We didn’t go to the main church service because he disagreed with some of the stuff the preacher said. So I just went to “Sunday School”... and I hated it. I couldn’t imagine an hour being more boring. I hated-and to some degree, still hate-church.

My generation (people in their 20s & 30s) is very spiritually-inclined. Most of us want to know how to have a relationship with God, how we fit into His plans, and how to use our gifts and interests for His purposes. Nonetheless, about 85% of the people in my generation don’t go to church. Maybe it was the 13 years of Catholic school that did it. Maybe it was the stuff their moms preached about but didn’t do. Maybe it was the crap their uncle did to them when they were in grade school. Or maybe they just never connected. Church always seemed lifeless, out-of-touch and (ironically) unspiritual.

I totally understand. That’s why we want to start a church for the 85%.

Before Momentum kicked off, my wife, Shannon, and I started asking people who didn’t go to church—”unchurched people,” if you will-over to our house to answer some questions over dessert: “Why do you think church sucks?” and “What would a church have to be like for you to even consider going?” Sometimes people get a fire in their eyes and say, “Oh yeah-I’d love to [bleepin’] tell you why I hate church!” The stuff they share (over fondue) is priceless information. I usually agree with every word that comes out of their mouths. I also learned some new stuff. Because of their honest answers, Momentum is a better church.

So, where have we landed? We believe that church should be about developing healthy relationships-with God and ourselves and each other. We think a church should be the “hands and feet of God” out in the community-serving the needs around us. A church should address topics that are relevant to our daily lives. The music-and other arts-should rock. And, if God is the source of joy (which He claims to be), church should be fun! We believe that church should be at least 63.3% more fun than anything else you could do on Sunday morning.†

I think Jesus would really like Momentum. The stuff we are teaching and discussing attracts people who are “real” and, simultaneously, turns away religious fakes. Jesus did the same thing. That was something that surprised me about Him when I first started reading the Bible. He was trying to create a spiritual community that accepted and valued irreligious people. I don’t think I (or any of his followers) have a right to change that. That’s just my strong opinion, though. :-)

So, if you don’t like going to church, stopped going at some point in your life, or have successfully avoided going all of your life, this just might be the church for you: A church for people who hate going to church.

Peace,

Dan Smith
Lead Minister

† I recently wrote a comedy video called “Baby Got Book” (a parody of a Sir Mixalot song) that glorifies spiritually-minded females… and politely pokes fun at how cheesy the Christian sub-culture can be. This satire became so popular on the internet that it was on VH-1 and CNN in 2006. “BGB” is a good example of the creativity and humor that we will use to engage all five senses every Sunday at Momentum.

Starbucks on Us

Want to know more about Mo? We’d love to hook up at Starbucks and talk with you over a mocha or chai, our treat. Email Dan or give us a call at 216-MO-CALLS to set up a date, time, etc.