In regards to using the latest tv shows and movies as “drawing cards” in our church gatherings. I’ve heard it said that we can “leverage culture” by doing tv and movie parodies, graphic ripoffs, and musical spoofs. That it’s a “cool” way to connect with people who aren’t churched.
Why would anyone want to connect to a movie or tv show in church when they can do it at hulu.com?
I appreciate that some of the big popular churches known for doing this are doing less and less of this and I think it generated quite a buzz in the church world which has continued to trickle down for some years, but honestly do we really believe that parodying the hottest movie or tv show has any LASTING effect on people?
Most research these days is saying that people (unchurched) are tired of churches attempt to connect with them through pop culture, modern architecture, and “cool” church.
But Don’t People Think It’s Cool When We Use Entertainment They’re Familiar With?
People aren’t dumb. When they do come in the doors they aren’t looking for something that lightly tickles their fancy in a culturally relevant way. Most people that haven’t come to church at all are there because they are specifically seeking something bigger than they are.
My personal opinion, which I do submit as opinion, is that once people get past the novelty of the latest cultural parody, they’re left with the harsh reality that most churches can’t offer what they really long for.
TRUE CONNECTION.
1) with God
2) with people
3) with something bigger than themselves
I think more times than not WE (and I do include myself in this statement) are impressed by our own efforts to leverage culture so much that we become blinded to the reality of what’s happening around us. People aren’t growing in the faith.
What does it profit the Church if she has the latest technology, graphics, parodies, songs, but loses her soul?
If the Church can design with the textures of angels but doesn’t have love, she’s just a resounding gong.
If the Church says she loves God through technology, art, design, music, etc…but hates her brother (by not truly serving them in a meaningful life-impacting way), she’s a liar.
This isn’t a blast on churches who use parody, cool graphics, or technoglory, or whatever. It’s a blast on me. And you. And whoever can admit that there is a ton of cool stuff out there and we SHOULD use every tool available in our arsenal to reach people…
But…
But past that. Reaching people isn’t good enough. We need to be discipling, loving, encouraging, sharing communion with, praying with, etc. Our emphasis needs to be on the Gospel, which can be summed up by Loving God & Loving People.
So What Am I Doing?
Honestly, I’m learning and growing daily in this area. I “know” all of this. I’ve grown up hearing all this for years. But as a church staffer, how do we go from “knowing” to living? My goal as a follower of the words of Jesus is to be more than just a Music and Media Coordinator. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing what I do and I KNOW BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT that this particular season of my life journey IS indeed making impact in people’s lives.
People do come and enjoy our cool environments at HOJ. They are impressed by our well-designed presentations. They do get crunk with our music. I believe that’s OK! It’s not wrong to use every tool in our arsenal to reach people.
Here’s where I really feel challenged though. I want to spend more time with about 8 other people in my life.
Oh, sure we have a weekly small group. We host and lead it. The couples who come are AWESOME!
But I want more. I want to do life together. I want to be life friends. Not just once a week friends.
Lydia and I have some friends (couples) who we really believe are of that caliber. Our relationships are getting deeper. We spend a lot of time together. We hang out a lot!
REAL CHURCH
This is where I believe real church happens: After the guitar is unplugged. After the mics are muted. After the lights are turned off and everyone heads home. There is no possible way that we could have deep relationships with every single person that attends our gatherings. I think it’s wrong to TRY and spread yourself out across that many anyways.
We have chosen to really focus on 6-8 other people and just really live life with them. That doesn’t mean we don’t have friends outside of the circle, we do, it just means that we understand that God wants us to truly come together, sharing in everything, and having everything in common.
We believe that what happens on Sunday mornings is an extension and OVERFLOW of this time.
We really can’t call this church. Just because we attend a service, that doesn’t make us the church.
…the Church is a body of believers and followers of Jesus that are determined to get this message of Jesus out to the world.
The Believers gathered together and they practiced the “one anothers.” They actually loved one another. They seriously considered themselves members of one another.
Can we attend a service and call ourselves church or is there more in Scripture?
— Francis Chan (from Who’s the Cult?)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
— Acts 2:42-47
