What Kind of Church Is Meck?

Every now and then I get asked what kind of church Meck is. It’s hard to know how best to answer because it’s not always clear what aspect of Meck’s identity they want to know about.

When some people ask, all they want to know is if we’re a Christian church.

And, of course, we are.

Others want to know what kind of Christian church. They’re not really looking for specificity, but more along the lines of whether we are Catholic or Protestant. But those who attend in person or online, even once, know pretty quickly that we’re not Catholic, although we have a lot of people attending from a Catholic background and I get called Father from time to time.

So if Protestant, some want to know what denomination—are we Methodist or Baptist or Presbyterian? Actually, we’re not formally affiliated with any denomination at all, but rather have people attending from all kinds of denominational backgrounds including no background at all.

Others, when they ask about the kind of church we are, want to know about our style of worship. Are we traditional or contemporary, meaning smells and bells or drums and Starbucks? Again, any interaction with any of our services would tell you we tend to be very contemporary in style, though we feel free to borrow from all of Christian history and its rich traditions.

Some want to know about our theology, or at least the spirit of our theology. Are we legalistic, right-wing, rule-oriented, judgmental, fundamentalist, hardliners,

... or fashionable, left-wing, politically correct liberals,

... or a world’s ending, snake-handling, fringe cult group where you have to worry about the coffee you get on our premises?

For most people, if we are none of the above, then we pass the test. (We’re none of the above.) But we unapologetically stand in the stream of historic Christian orthodoxy. 

And then, of course, some people just want to know about the senior pastor. Is he a young, 20-something, wet-behind-the-ears, tattooed, skinny-jean, designer-sneaker-wearing kind of guy who calls everybody “bro”?

Or is he a wise, mature, sophisticated, seasoned leader, like his same-aged peer George Clooney?

And we know the answer to that. (You take away the looks, the success, the money, the talent, and I’m just like him.)

But what really sets Meck apart is something people seldom think to ask, but that is central to our identity: 

What is your mission?

The mission of Mecklenburg Community Church is to see people who are not in a relationship with God become fully devoted followers of Jesus.

And where did we get this mission?

From Jesus Himself:

“Who needs a doctor, the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders–an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.” (Luke 5:32, Msg)

“Your Father in heaven... doesn’t want to lose even one....” (Matthew 18:14, Msg)

“[I] came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10, NIV)

And if you have any doubt about the passion of Jesus on this, even while impaled on a cross between two other men who had been convicted of stealing, during those last agonizing moments, with life and blood draining from His body,

… He was trying to save one more.

Jesus knew, as should we, that heaven and hell are real, and real people go to one or the other. Jesus’ most well-known statement on the subject is so clear that it is traditionally called the “Great Commission” (cf. Mt. 28:18-20).

So what does the future hold for Meck? One thing for certain: we will continue to be on the mission we have been on from day one. A mission I will never tire of. Because I’ve had a front-row seat to something we’ve done 3,871 times now over the last 30 years here at Meck that energizes me time and again for whatever next run God has in store for me.

And it’s having seen someone emerge from the waters of baptism.

James Emery White

About the Author

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His forthcoming book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available for pre-order on Amazon. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org, where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.