I've been thinking lately about trends. The draw of trends is primarily social, I suppose, the idea of wanting to fit in, to be accepted, to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Since that is so similar to the draw of churches, a Christian community where you can fit in, be accepted, be part of something bigger than yourself, it may explain why churches often cater to trends.

Trends themselves I think are neutral, just like tools. There is no inherent or implicit good or evil in something like the trendy tool called iPod, for example. Despite that I've seen this device berated by one Christian leader because it is an example of the extreme individualism of our culture. On the other side I know of two churches using a play on the word iPod, and the dancing silhouettes advertising campaign, for a sermon series.

In each case I think Christians are trying to connect with the culture. The message is either: "I know who you are and I am something else," or "I know who you are and I am that, too." Probably you could write long theses to justify either message as the correct one.

Simply articulated, however, it's a difference that could be noted in whether church leaders advocate more for being in worship on Sunday morning or being in service during the week. One says: "Buck the trend to stay home from church by committing to corporate worship." Another says: "Buck the trend to compartmentalize Christianity into an hour on Sunday by transferring the Christian life to the every day."

Again, more long themes on either of these would provide either with some merit. However, I think the tension between is the place where faith grows.

The constant tension between actions and beliefs is what makes Christianity a spiritual discipline—one that isn't for wimps. Puzzling out what you believe, then sorting out how you should behave in accordance is no simple task. And it must be done over again each day—sometimes each minute of each day.

Church behavior is similar I think. Congregations struggle as a corporate body between what they believe and how that translates into either action or inaction. What is lost sometimes in churches is the daily tension that manifests itself in every thought of an individual believer. Churches often resolve certain actions into their bylaws or ministry plans and then fail to ever rethink them when something changes. Likewise churches may post a statement of beliefs and fail to ever reconsider them, or ever re-read them in light of new situations. If churches did re-read these beliefs they may discover they don't really believe them at all, or if they did they would be acting quite differently.

That's why Christianity at its core is never a done deal. It's probably why God created a new day every morning. It's also why churches should be constantly new, too. Otherwise there's no excitement.

Churches must be fluid, changing bodies. First of all, spreading the message should constantly shift the congregation so that new members are always coming in. With them come new ideas, new ministries, new life, so that the only tradition for a healthy church is one of change.

That doesn't mean churches should be trendy. But, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be trendy. I just think they should be reflective. Following Jesus would suggest that Jesus is moving and that you're going to have to move, too, just to keep up.

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