Today I heard my pastor preach his last sermon at the church he founded 15 years ago.

What started out as a 30-member group grew to a 4,000-member congregation under his leadership. He was a pioneer in the Birmingham, Alabama, community for the contemporary church service, and though I wasn’t a member of his church at the time of its launch, I remember my own church responding to his lead with a contemporary service, in addition to the traditional one, of its own.

The church led the way in this city for a non-denominational worship arena with high-tech features and a casual atmosphere.

When he walked off the stage for the last time, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. He didn’t leave with great fanfare…he just preached the sermon he said he would if this was his last opportunity to speak, even though his ministry, though not with another church, is far from over.

He focused on John 3:1-7, with the message of God has done what only God could and would do to bring His lost creation back to Himself. It was a message of being re-born, and he brought the crowd down on its knees.

Today, it’s almost standard that churches incorporate the two styles of worship on Sunday, whether it’s with two separate services or elements of the two combined into one service.

My own childhood pastor left to start his own community church a few years after the movement began, and I saw people that had previously resisted church flocking to the services. The “seeker” church has taken on a movement all its own. Contemporary worship broadens the appeal of Christianity and draws in those wary of traditional means of worship.

I’m not advocating one method over another, I assure you. But if a new style of worship brings in those unaccustomed or unwilling to attend traditional services, then I’m all for it. And I’m all for the guy who brought it to my own city.

This letter is dedicated, in respect and in thanks, to Rick Ousley.

I’m always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@religiousproductnews.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro