Rockin’ religion | Churches deliver the message any way they can - even if it’s with a full band
“Easter is the foundation of the church, meaning Jesus’ followers,” Pastor Tom Crouse of Cornerstone Church in Myrtle Beach says. “Easter is the foundation of everything. If the resurrection didn’t happen, it’s all untrue. If it did, then everything is true.”
“Easter is the most significant day,” Pastor Mark Burlinson of Christ Community Church in Conway says. “It’s the resurrection of Jesus. It’s more important than Christmas in that respect.”
Easter is approaching this weekend on April 5. For both faithful and the faith-curious along the Grand Strand, there are multiple options for Easter worship – from Catholic to Evangelical. (Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on the following Sunday, April 12.)
Both Cornerstone Church and Christ Community Church offer informal, casual worship. Pastor Tom says Cornerstone Church’s services typically contain three to four pieces of tasteful worship music, and the readings from the Bible are preached expositionally. Similarly, Pastor Mark says his church services contain a message from the Bible and contemporary music.
But one of the most interesting places to see Christian religious ceremony is at Wellspring Church in Myrtle Beach.
“On Saturday night we come in and transform the space to be more like the House of Blues,” says pastor TJ Goff of Wellspring Church. “What we do on Easter is three to four songs with a full band, and have a real, practical down-to-earth message from our pastor. If you wanna reach people no one is reaching, you do something no one is doing. You gotta do something different. People we are reaching are going for that House of Blues experience.”
Pastor Mark Burlinson explained the need for modernizing church services. “There is a place for both contemporary and traditional services. The church should reflect culture to make the message relevant. There’s little value for those not yet in the church. What was needed in that time was a more contemporary approach.”
The importance of modernizing Christian worship isn’t lost on many Americans.
According to the Pew Research Center Religion & Public Life Project, 50 percent of all evangelical churches in the United States are located in the South. These are churches that believe in the sole authority of the Bible, salvation through regeneration, and a spiritually transformed personal life.
Amanda Zecher, the communications director for Barefoot Church in North Myrtle Beach, elaborates.
“We are called to reflect God’s character to the world, and of His many attributes, He is creative, attractional and excellent. We live in a culture where entertainment thrives. If we can leverage tools like moving lights, a pop song or an unexpected message illustration to bring people to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, then we believe we absolutely should.”
Naturally, the perceived need for modernity doesn’t fit everyone.
“Churches seek to please people instead of God. A man-centered church focuses on how people feel. A God-centered church is completely about organizing services to bring God the most glory,” says Pastor Tom. “I would say our church is the most unique in Myrtle Beach in that respect. We are a gospel community for the glory of God. We seek to preach the word of God for the glory of God. It won’t be salacious.”
Jon and Lavi Castro, a couple attending Cornerstone Church, explained what drew them to that style of worship.
“I was very interested in the word of God, and the practical application to life in 2015,” says Lavi Castro. “If you preach the gospel in the church, and it’s the main thing, do whatever you want.”
Jon continues: “This is the one place in Myrtle Beach that has the marks of a healthy church. My favorite part about the services is the preaching.”
In the same Pew Research Center Religion & Public Life Project, 79 percent of those who are a part of evangelical churches say that their religion is “very important” in their daily lives.
“Ultimately, people today need a relationship with Jesus,” says Pastor TJ. “People also need a community, we see this with social media. As a church, we do service projects around town.”
“People need help in making God a part of their everyday lives,” says Pastor Mark.
To those who may be intimidated by modern worship, the Castros suggest to keep coming.
“Don’t freak out,” Jon says.
“Give it one more try,” Lavi says.
This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Rockin’ religion | Churches deliver the message any way they can - even if it’s with a full band."