“By and large, churches have a delicate disposition. That causes them to avoid our questions, because they hate doubt. The downside is, they ignore the most pressing concerns of young (Christians), and that leads to frustration. That is why we are leaving churches. Why do they ignore our questions?”
When a young Christian posed the above question to Dr. Ergun Mehmet Caner in the spring of 2009, it began a process for him. He decided to challenge himself to preach on topics that were at the forefront of young Christians’ minds. Through social networking sites, he asked Christians, “What are the hardest questions that you never get answered concerning your faith?” The response overwhelmed him.
“I received over 200 answers within twenty-four hours of posting the questions on Twitter and Facebook. At first I collected them in a small folder, but the folder was quickly replaced with a notebook,” Caner states. So far, he has collected over 500 different responses, including some from skeptics who joined in, even though they were not professing Christians.
It has led to the new series that begins this fall, called HOLY HAND GRENADES. For over a year, Caner knew that God was leading him to series through the Book of James, but he was unclear why. After seeing those questions, he felt he knew. Caner notes, “By mid-July, I began to see some trends forming in the questions. Somewhat like categories. I knew we had hit a good nerve. And every single topic is addressed in James. It was perfect.”
Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr. asked Caner to begin a new service in 2006. Caner submitted a plan that would include voluntary attendance, a dress code of jeans and t-shirts, and some of the loudest Christian music they could find. “I kept saying, ‘Let’s design it for people who do not go to church.’ There are so many amazing worship services here, I didn’t want to have another service like them. The only way to make waves was to have something that did not look like anything else.”Since that time, Caner has been the main speaker on Wednesday nights, and has covered topics such as “Sex and the City of God,” and “Skeptics Welcome.” He promises that this upcoming series will be the most controversial yet.
Wednesday nights this Fall will be different for a number of reasons, according to Caner. “Well, for one thing, we have had to move the services at Thomas Road back a bit, so we begin at 7:45p.m now. The church has exploded with growth in so many areas, we are trying to find ways to ease the traffic.”
Secondly, this Fall the Wednesday night service begins to go under its own name, APERTURE. The term comes from the world of photography, and the idea of focusing appealed to Caner. “Actually, Rachel and Juan, in our office, came up with the name. I was sold on it the moment I saw it,” he said.
Some things remain the same however. The Campus Praise Band, led by David McKinney, will still be leading worship. “They have been there since Day One,” says Caner. “I wouldn’t know how to do this without them.” Also, Caner’s desire to keep spontaneity remains in tact. “I hate announcements, and I loathe over-planning,” Caner said with a grin. “Everyone knows that we announce nothing on Wednesday nights. That leaves room for the Holy Spirit, and sometimes my own stupidity, to keep the services fresh. Over the years, we have had surprise speakers, unscheduled dance groups perform, and we have even had a marriage proposal. You never know…”
He is obviously very proud of this service, that has become one of the largest University worship services in the nation, with between 4,000-5,000 students attending weekly. “Wednesday night Campus Church (APERTURE) is still a place where anyone, from any walk of life, can come in, and not worry about what they are wearing or the questions they carry.”
Beginning on August 26, Caner sets out to hit the topics Christians avoid. The ones that he says make even Christians flinch.
The topics this Fall will include:
Why do I doubt my salvation so much? Doesn’t God want me to know if I am saved or not?
If God is good, why do children starve and people die?
Why are Christians obsessed with our own tiny issues, when the world is going to hell?
Why do Christians ignore the homeless and impoverished?
How do you reconcile God knowing everything and yet man having a free will?
Why do Christians measure people by their biggest faults?
If Christianity is the answer, why are so many people hypocrites?
Why is Christianity reflected so poorly in organized churches?
Why do Christians flinch at the subjects of sexuality?
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
434.592.4179
ON THE WEB:
Liberty.edu/seminary
Erguncaner.com
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