Mark Lauterbach on Forms

I am drawn to think that I could just learn one more truth, or find one more formula, or have one more experience, or get into the right fellowship -- then my battle with sin would diminish. The right leader, the right theology, the right diet, the right worship style -- these are what I need.

This is the error of church growth. It leads us to think that the key to the church is finding the right external form. Power is hindered by the wrong form, power is unleashed by the updating of the church to new forms. No -- power comes from the Gospel and its being applied. Tradition or "hip-ness" are not the issue. There is not a whit of power in going ancient (candles and dim lights, formal attire) and there is not any more power in going cool (graphics and urban decor, jeans in worship). Neither matters.

Read the whole post here.