Church fads over the years

Does Logos carry or does anyone know of a book that has traced the "fads" of the Christian church over the past several or more decades.

You know the older I/we get the more we see the 'same old' things again. Is there really anything new under the sun?

For example: If you have collected or remember earlier church growth strategies you can see that what is the in thing now, was the in thing years ago.

It would be interesting to see if someone has traced the various "in-things" that aren't so new.,

Anyway, just a thought.

mm.

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Comments

TCBlack

I haven't seen such a resource, but would welcome one. I could look where we are and then read the next chapter to be avant garde. [;)]

Rosie Perera

Can't find a book, but here are some articles, mostly denouncing the fad culture of the church. It would be good to find something that's more of a historical survey.

http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/controversial-issues/the-fad-driven-church-by-todd-wilken/

http://deovivendiperchristum.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/kevin-deyoung-on-fads-in-the-church/

http://www.gty.org/resources/Articles/A280/The-Flaws-of-a-FadDriven-Church-Part-1 (part 1 of a 7-part series, links for the rest at the bottom)

The book Theory of Collective Behavior by Neil J. Smelser (available on Kindle) has quite a number of mentions of church fads in it, though it's of broader sociological interest.

Matthew C Jones

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609812#Comment_609812

http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2012/09/created-appetite.html

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609812#Comment_609812

There are certain practices that seem to be "in the air." I recall back in Indiana I suggested that we broadcast the service [some seemed to think that broadcasting the sermon would suffice, but my opinion was that the entire service should be broadcast—possibly with some minor editing—in order to acquaint the community with an episcopal service]. The church wardens [consistory] and rector were too busy working on a "mission statement" to consider that. It may be popular for every organization to publish a "mission statement", but it seems to me that if the church (and the world) doesn't know what the mission of the church is after 2,000 yrs, we have problems.

Kevin Olson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609823#Comment_609823

Can't find a book, but here are some articles, mostly denouncing the fad culture of the church. It would be good to find something that's more of a historical survey.

http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/controversial-issues/the-fad-driven-church-by-todd-wilken/

http://deovivendiperchristum.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/kevin-deyoung-on-fads-in-the-church/

http://www.gty.org/resources/Articles/A280/The-Flaws-of-a-FadDriven-Church-Part-1 (part 1 of a 7-part series, links for the rest at the bottom)

The book Theory of Collective Behavior by Neil J. Smelser (available on Kindle) has quite a number of mentions of church fads in it, though it's of broader sociological interest.

Thank you for providing these links. Very helpful!

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609827#Comment_609827

It may be popular for every organization to publish a "mission statement", but it seems to me that if the church (and the world) doesn't know what the mission of the church is after 2,000 yrs, we have problems.

[Y]

(‾◡◝)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609830#Comment_609830

I always thought it would be interesting to have a book documenting all of the bric-a-brac, trinkets, prayer cloths, cheap jewelry, rocks from the Holy Land, paper weights, bookends, statuettes, books/CDs/DVDs/study bibles, and other ephemerae that has been and continues to be offered to the Prayer Partners for their financial support. Even better if there were a museum with the actual items on display.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609849#Comment_609849

I always thought it would be interesting to have a book documenting all of the bric-a-brac, trinkets, prayer cloths, cheap jewelry, rocks from the Holy Land, paper weights, bookends, statuettes, books/CDs/DVDs/study bibles, and other ephemerae that has been and continues to be offered to the Prayer Partners for their financial support. Even better if there were a museum with the actual items on display.

Can you get a lease on the Pentagon?

(‾◡◝)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609850#Comment_609850

Can you get a lease on the Pentagon?

To house the book or the actual collection?

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609853#Comment_609853

Can you get a lease on the Pentagon?

To house the book or the actual collection?

I don't think the book would be quite that large—besides, you could always reduce it to a Logos sized resource.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609827#Comment_609827

It may be popular for every organization to publish a "mission statement", but it seems to me that if the church (and the world) doesn't know what the mission of the church is after 2,000 yrs, we have problems.

you are absolutely right... Hence the need for mission statements. [:P]

William Gabriel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609827#Comment_609827

It may be popular for every organization to publish a "mission statement", but it seems to me that if the church (and the world) doesn't know what the mission of the church is after 2,000 yrs, we have problems.

Of everything you've said on these forums, this may be my favorite.

The problem I have to deal with are the grumpies who think certain leaders are bad for not being overly concerned about these church-is-a-business philosophies. If they knew the bible a tenth as well as they know "management principles"--there might be hope for productive conversation.

JohnB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609830#Comment_609830

It may be popular for every organization to publish a "mission statement", but it seems to me that if the church (and the world) doesn't know what the mission of the church is after 2,000 yrs, we have problems.

[Y]

Paul C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/609999#Comment_609999

Unfortunately, Some fads become die hard Tradition. Especially in David Paul's neck of the woods.

Snake Handling. The religious practice of handling deadly vipers as a demonstration of special anointing by God. The practice is today largely limited to particular Pentecostal churches in the rural Appalachian region. It developed out of the serious consideration of Mark 16:18.

Dictionary of Christianity in America