Mailbag Celebration Community Church

Mailbag

Here are some real letters that we received at Celebration and the response from our pastor, Steve. Feel free to e-mail us more questions!

Q: I have one question. The idea of a party church sounds a little bit strange. Is this really working? How do you get serious and when is the party time? I am not asking this to criticize you. I am on the search of what kind of church people in these days need. Maybe you can help!?

A: Hi, I'm Steve. The pastor at Celebration Church.
Thanks for your thoughtful and very reasonable questions.

I first got the idea of "the party church" from a book by Tony Campolo entitled, "The Kingdom of God is a Party". In it, Campolo explains how often Jesus used "banquets" and other celebrations as metaphors for God's kingdom. He also showed how important feasts and rejoicing were in the Old Testament.

Later I read a book by Bill Hybels called, "Becoming a Contagious Christian". In it, Hybels does a masterful job with the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. He explains (and I paraphrase) that
1) something precious has been lost,
2) it warrants an all-out search, and
3) finding it is cause for a party.

We began our church in 1998 with the vision for a church that would welcome home lost sons and daughters to God. That is our entire mission: to create a place that would be a "Welcome Home Party" for unbelievers and disconnected Christians.

Early on, a friend gave me a motto: "a fun place to get serious about God". That motto has actually become our philosophy of ministry.

As for your questions, the party time is in church on Sunday morning. The atmosphere is very casual and energetic. We want people to feel that they can come in the clothes they normally wear. We want them to feel our love and welcome. We have food and coffee and drinks that they can have throughout the service.

But before the morning is over, I hope that we have gotten very serious about 'the cost of discipleship'. I am very serious about the need to know Jesus, to follow Jesus and to be prepared to suffer for Jesus. We are very honest about the pain of life and want people to know that Jesus has called us to follow in his steps (1 Pet.2). For me, that is a consuming matter. We need to be willing to surrender our lives to Jesus and even lose them for him.

But that's what makes a life-giving church experience so important. People are slugging it out with so many problems day after day. They need to be able to limp into the church and get their souls restored. That's why we want it to feel like a party.

What's more, our suffering will end one day at (guess what?) a party! The marriage supper of the Lamb will be a celebration to end all celebrations. There will be no more tears or suffering or dying. But lots of dancing and singing and rejoicing.

That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it.
God bless you.
Steve

Q: Steve, Thanks for the nice service you had last Sunday. That was the first service of yours that I attended, and I liked your style of expressing the word of God. I was wondering what your stand on homosexuality is as far as welcoming them into your congregation. And would you officiate in a homosexual union?

A: Hi. Thanks for the nice feedback on the service. I hope something in it was meaningful and encouraging for you.

I would welcome a homosexual person into our church, my home, my circle of friends. I would and I have. I can accept people even if we differ on significant issues, such as sexual orientation and lifestyle.

My position is that homosexuality is not a lifestyle that the Word of God teaches and encourages. It's a complex issue, which I don't claim to be an authority on; but my conscience and morals before God tell me that homosexuality is not what God had in mind for men and women. I would not officiate a homosexual union.

Is it possible to have such a position without being hateful and self-righteous? I hope so. I don't feel the need to pass judgment on people, especially if they don't claim to be believers. I'd much rather get to know people, to love them as Jesus would. I want them to know Him and His love and grace and truth. He can deal with their issues better than I can. I've got my hands full with my own issues. Really full.

I guess that's where I stand. You asked direct questions, so in an effort to be honest with you, I've tried to answer them directly.

How would you answer your questions? I'm very interested in hearing your feelings on the matter.

Looking forward to your reply,
Steve

About Celebration...
Mission Statement
What We Believe
Why we call ourselves "the party church"
Who is on Staff
Membership Covenant
Local ministries
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