Have you ever heard of Puritan theology blended with the seeker church movement? Many folks ask me about my home church these days. When I am not consulting I attend Clear Creek Community Church in League City, TX, a seeker church with a reformed Baptist twist. Our teaching pastor Yancey Arrington, just finished a series called “Tapout,” the term used for one opponent giving up in a MMA fight. His work was heavily influenced by John Owen, a puritan thinker who focused his life work and writing on sanctification. The combination of these two themes explodes with energy and defines what I love about my home church. Here are a few nuggets about our uniqueness:
• A Seeker church does not have to mean a “watered down” church. This straw man has been kept alive for years. Upon closer examination, there are many theologically robust teams that have chosen to target unchurched populations. Clear Creek speaks to people far from God with a high view of sin.
• Focus expands. Clear creek has always targeted 35- year old males. Does this exclude people? Absolutely not! Rather it includes everybody within the influence of a 35-year old male who begins a transformational journey of full devotion with Jesus. Clear Creek is filled with more 60 year-old men and more 20-something women than most churches, because their focus expands. This clearly defined target totally flavors their communication- before the “Tapout” series (obviously a male targeted metaphor) they did a series called “Man-up: Overcoming Male Passivity.” Do you think women liked that series?
• It isn’t for everyone. Being focused and pursuing a specific God-given vision frees people to leave who do not resonate with the vision. Recently a good friend and staff member of the church announced that he was leaving. In talking with him it’s abundantly clear that God has birthed a new idea in his heart. Being clear about your Church Unique brings freedom for everyone.
I always encourage churches to discover their Kingdom Concept by answering, “What can our church do better than 10,000 others?” For Clear Creek it’s simple: They glorify God and make disciples through a culturally engaging, weekly-patterned, gospel presentation designed to capture the attention of 30-something unchurched men.
