When was the last time you were forced to try something new? Maybe it was a low-pressure new thing like a new meal, or a new workout routine, or a new show to binge on Netflix. Or maybe it was a more significant new thing like a new house, a new job, or even a new relationship.
If you're anything like me, sometimes the word 'new,' might as well be synonymous with the word 'daunting.' New things can also be the hard things, or even the flat-out terrifying things. If it were up to me, my life would tend to always default not to the new things but to the familiar things. There would be a lot of nights eating my favorite meal while watching FRIENDS on repeat for the 87th time. I would always go to Panama City Beach for vacation. I would always take the same running path. And I would always look for opportunities to hold on to the familiar instead of reaching for the new.
I think on some level, a lot of us are wired this way-to value the familiar over the new.
But why?
Maybe it's because we all like the feeling of comfort that comes with familiarity? Chasing new things can bring a sense of pressure that leaves us feeling anywhere from slightly uncomfortable to absolutely pressed beyond our limits.
But what do we lose out on when we reject the new things, new places, new perspectives, new relationships, new strategies, and more? Well, frankly, I think we miss out on the byproduct of being pressed.
If you've sat in any church service consistently over the last few years, there's a pretty good chance you've heard at least one pastor make an illustration of olives being pressed under thousands of pounds of pressure just so that we could collect that tiny bit of oil that resides within it. Well, insert that illustration here. [here] Ok, moving on.
To be fair, the Church as a whole, and all of us as individuals, has felt pressed in one way (or a thousand ways) since 2020 as we've tried new digital strategies, implemented hybrid church models, faced polarizing political climates, heard the heartbreaking stories from around the globe, suffered through church hurt, endured budget cuts, layoffs, and struggled to grasp the reality of auditoriums and sanctuaries that, for the most part, don't seem to be as full as they once were pre-global pandemic.
I believe there is a stark contrast between two different realities of our current climate that has been determined by the individuals and organizations who have embraced a culture that is looking for something new with open hands, compared to those who are holding on to (perhaps a bit too tightly) the fond memories and ways of a world that no longer exists.
It's in the moments in life when it's important to be open handed that I choose to hold on to the truth of scripture such as Isaiah 43:19.
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in wastelands." -Isaiah 43:19
I love seeing these truths come to fruition in the work of Alpha across the globe. We're seeing oil come from the pressing through this season as we venture into new vision, new initiatives, new strategies, new relationships, and even new spaces. We're actively hearing the stories of life change coming out of young people encountering the Holy Spirit through their experiences with the Alpha Youth Series Refresh where we've incorporated more stories of young people's personal experiences with their faith through the pandemic. We're so encouraged to hear of record numbers of churches and organizations (including Google) that are registering new Alpha courses this month. We're still processing hearing about churches that are reaching new people through virtual reality Alphas in an attempt to further develop their digital and hybrid church strategy. We're completely overwhelmed in the best way in hearing of transforming communities as we venture into brand new spaces with the release of the Chinese Alpha Film Series.
Do you see it? Literally a space that was once thought of as a wasteland for the gospel is becoming a place where the Lord is making way for new streams and new life.
Just. Like. He. PROMISED.
He is doing a new thing in His church and through His people. The only question is, "Will we be open handed enough to embrace a new reality that may press us in ways that feel uncomfortable at first?"
Where is the Lord springing up in your life? In your home? In your ministry?
Where do you feel like you're in the wilderness and how is the Lord providing a way for you?
What wastelands exist in your world that the Lord is determined to infuse with new streams?
I believe there are three things every church can do today to embrace the new realities we're facing:
- Prioritize the next generation - Gen Z is here! They're in our schools, our homes, and even in our workplaces. The most important generation is always the next generation. Gen Z was born roughly between 1997 to 2012, who are also known as "Zoomers." Churches and organizations with short term goals will never prioritize the church of the future. But if you want your future church to be the healthiest it can be, it'll take intentional investment and prioritization today. No matter where you're at with this topic, a great place to start is the Alpha Youth website. Check it out and connect with the Alpha Youth team today. We're even ready to talk with you about the next, next generation coming after Gen Z-Gen Alpha (which we are particularly fond of).
- Use the best resources - We live in a world where the standards for excellence increase on a daily basis. The transfer of information is so rapid that people know what's out there and they know when something is of excellent quality. Plus, they won't settle for less. As someone with over a decade of experience leading in a pastoral role within the church, I'm no stranger to the massive number of resources that are available. However, I can say with 100% confidence that I was yet to find a tool that doesn't just provide content, but also transforms culture. That is, until I discovered Alpha. I think it's the best tool out there and, PS, it's FREE. And not "poor quality, free." More like, "How the heck is this killer product available to me for free, free." Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself. You won't regret it.
- Reach into new spaces - Every church and every individual should have a new space identified that they're reaching into for the sake of Jesus. For the churches that are really going after their digital and hybrid strategies maybe you look into Alpha Online? The pioneer of Alpha, Nicky Gumbel talks with the Lead Pastor of The Church of the City New York, Jon Tyson, in his podcast about the unexpected benefits of leading Alpha Online here. Or maybe your church or community has a large population of communities that speak a different language? The Alpha Film Series has currently been translated into 110+ different languages in an attempt to take the Gospel to every part of the world. Most recently this has included the production and release of the Chinese Alpha Film Series. What would it look like for you to engage new spaces, new communities, and new relationships in your city for the sake of Jesus?
Where can you take a new step in faith expecting that the Lord will meet you there today?
Because He will.
Just. Like. He. PROMISED.
If you're interested in learning more about Alpha Youth, be sure to check out the website here, or feel free to reach out to the Alpha Youth team here.
Josh Penwell
Alpha Youth - National Associate Director
Alpha USA