Here's a funny video on church shopping that I think may generate some conversation regarding the vision 2010:
One of the tensions in the church growth/missional church conversations has to do with the consumer nature of our culture ... how to use it in order to meet people with the Gospel, but also how to transcend it.
Answer any or all of the following questions in a comment. Or just tell us what you think this video might be saying to us as we live into the vision of growing congregations.
What do you think the cartoon is saying about the intersection of church and our consumer culture?
What does the video show are the attractions and un-attractions of churches to visitors?
How does your church deal with the consumer implications of those who are first time visitors to your congregation?
If your church were to be even more faithful to Christ in its ministry to visitors, what, if anything, would be different?
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
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3 comments:
Wendy-
Thanks for putting this together. It's going to be such a great tool. I hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thing...Vineyard and all....heh heh. I look forward to see what we can accomplish together for the Kingdom of God in our communities.
LOVE this video--and King of the Hill generally. Many a truth is said in this cartoon.
Wendy, Does the SonRise Church of the cartoon remind you of Lakewood???? Heh-heh.
Or do I just have Lakewood on the brain?
Seriously, one point made by the video is that the mega-church depicted embraces the popular culture in a way that makes the "seeker" more comfortable with stepping in the door for the first time. Starbucks, while it may seem too commercial for the church, is also comforting and familiar.
Those of us who are well-churched have a lot of trouble identifying the ways in which our churches are intimidating to those who are not.
It took my husband pointing it out for me to realize that the "issue" he had with the first church probably had something to do with visitors sitting in his pew. The last line gives that credence when he says "we've found a home" when he hears there are assigned seats in the mega church.
It happens all the time ... once many years ago in my own church to my own parents who were visiting for the day ... and someone gave them the eye for sitting in their pew.
Many of us are NOT gearing ourselves to be welcoming of visitors in our churches.
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