Buckhead Church

Had the opportunity to visit Buckhead Church in Atlanta this weekend. Buckhead is a satellite campus of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA pastored by Andy Stanley.

My first impression of Buckhead was that it was a young, hip, and well-off crowd. Everyone fit the metrosexual profile and for the first time in a long time it felt like I was back in Dallas. This church is inarguably young and single… and I was impressed. I felt a bit out of place from these GenX’ers (even though I minister to them in my own church). But it was a good feeling, having more to do with the amazing fact that the church’s demographic was so young (and so single). It felt REAL good in that respect. Most churches are not reaching these people and don’t care much about them.

The music and tech was much like Fellowship Church in Dallas. That shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows the strong connection that North Point (Buckhead) and Fellowship maintain. It reinforced my growing understanding that there are two very different philosophies in play concerning church worship.

Participational verses Presentational.

Churches of the past (and many today) operate under the prevailing wisdom that what people want out of church is community, an intimate experience with other people and with God. They want to see others experiencing authentic worship and learn to participate with them. In these churches the voices will rise above the music, you’ll be able to hear those around you singing, and the congregation will be continually prodded toward participation. Singing, clapping, and smiling are placed at a premium

Presentational churches are all about the show. OK, not really, but that’s what the opposition says. In all actuality, what presentational churches believe is that worship is not really about worshiping community with others as much as it is connecting in worship with God. In these churches the music will most likely drown out the people around you. You might be singing at the top of your lungs but no one hears you, but yourself and God. Participation is encouraged, but not necessarily seen as critical… at least, singing and clapping as not seen as critical. In these churches you’ll find low lighting, in-your-face sound levels, and typical a high level of visual creativity.

I am becoming more and more convinced that these divergent methodologies for approaching worship as much to with age as they do with Biblical mandate. A case can be made for both side’s rightness, I believe. And I think that they both have their merits. But this is one of the new ‘battlegrounds’ in churches and the lines are being drawn mostly by age. You tell me why?!

In any case, Buckhead is Presentational in nature… as is Fellowship… as are many churches popping up around the country.

Beyond that, there isn’t much left to say about Buckhead. It seems to have a vibrant community, is wildly growing, and is poised to become a successful plant. My only remaining question involves just that: It’s a plant. And try as I might to ease my comfort level concerning ‘satellite’ churches, I’ve as of yet been unable to do so. That is another post for another day. But I am wary of this method of church planting over the old way. I am wary of mega-churches crowding out local churches. I am wary of ‘branding’ and the part it plays in satellite growth. Are these churches not the Wal-Mart’s of Christendom? But that is a discussion for another time. There are also very many positive things that come from planting satellite campuses.

And I imagine that one day, irony being what it is, I’ll be pastoring a church that has satellite campuses. I guarantee though, if that day comes, I’ll still be asking these questions… and a bunch more that you haven’t ever thought of (but I already struggle with).