Sermon as Performance?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjXYlwvS5LY] Not minding the attraction of the word "sermon" to a clip shorter than many pop songs, is this overproduced? Is it too much? How much of that is Bell's intention rather than the intention of the video producer?

Rob Bell is quite a speaker and teacher.

 

-B

Red Light Cameras

Warning: Some of these are hard to watch.

Every once in awhile I get an email that actually is worth sharing in a way that is uplifting.

Here is what I have to say:

Do not run red lights. No hurry you are in is ever worth your life or the life of another.

ALWAYS enter intersections with caution, being aware of your surroundings and traffic intersecting you. Never trust another driver to take care of you, watch out for yourself.

If you run a red light and get caught, you get what you deserve. If you don't get caught, remember that Red Light cameras don't save lives. Only you can prevent an innocent life from being taken.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qvXbIenivk&]

-B

Patriot Network TV

This guy is a community college professor in Arizona. His whole premise is that Obama is going against the American people by siding with the drug cartels and filing a lawsuit to stop Arizona's illegal immigration codes (SB1070) from going through. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsH8xvjTAlo]

Only a few comments:

  • "Let that sink in."  How about, no.
  • The President should never be referred to as "Mr. Obama," but rather, "President Obama."
  • The uses of the words "patriot" and "great Americans" imply that others against the movement are not either. I hate that.
  • Videos that are intended to be seen as off the cuff speeches (no obvious TelePrompTers) are always more effective when they also appear unedited.
  • "You're next." No. Please don't compare illegal immigration to the Holocaust. It is offensive, severely offensive.
  • It sounds like he has been hanging out with Sarah Palin for too long.
  • His watch would be cooler if it played music.
  • Arizona's racism and harsh attitude toward illegal immigrants is so last year.
  • I still say that our ancestors immigrated illegally here. The Natives hated it.

-B

Let My People Go

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_emuOVvlbU&] Not completely sure what they are saying but from what I could find it was either, "God is great" or "Mubarak down down."

This is a mess. A real mess.

When has government oppression and violence ever led to peace among a nation? Unfortunately, at this point, one of the ways I can see this getting fixed is by more substantial violence. If the US can stay out of it, we will be lucky(but perhaps wrong). When authoritative vans go out of their way to run over protestors, we are in big trouble.

If it is democracy that they want, they all (government and people) need to understand that peaceful demonstrations are an integral part of our success here. Think MLK Jr over Malcolm X.

Will it work? I'm not sure.

-B

Different Definition of the Body of Christ?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxQ8tpwdJ1Y&sns=tw] Anne Rice reflecting on why she has decided to stop calling herself a Christian.

I am often much more of a critic of the Church than I ought to be and I see her point, but I think her arguments just aren't that well defined. I don't believe that as many sects and denominations think they speak for Christ as she makes it out to be, though many of them often get the better press coverage.

It is undeniable that leaving the Church and still having faith is becoming more popular. These people still care about the Body of Christ, yet don't consider themselves to be fans of organized religion.

My question: Can you be a Christ follower to the potential that God has called you to and not rely at least a little on the Christians around you?

I suspect that if there are enough that don't like organized religion, they'll get together...and organize. Back to square one. But - maybe it'll be better this time.

-B

Two is Better Than One

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq2HalPB28s] Great commercial. Can't wait for all of my Verizon friends to get rid of their BlackBerries.

Notable: "Features vary by carrier." I have watched the commercial back several times (when I should have been reading) and can't find a single feature that won't be offered on both carriers.  It remains to be seen whether or not FaceTime will hit 3G on Verizon, and neither of the phones had Wifi connections prior to the cut to a FaceTime call (details matter) so this could perhaps be what they meant.  Maybe I have missed something, but the "features vary..." is very un-Apple like.  Tim Cook made it very apparent at the Verizon announcement that this iPhone and the AT&T iPhone are identical in features except that you will not be able make a phone call and access the internet at the same time.

If they had shown the Personal Hot Spot feature, that would have made sense.

Also, is it "two is..." or "two are..."? English grammar sometimes doesn't make any sense.

-B

A Bicycle For Our Minds

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob_GX50Za6c&]

You can say a lot about Steve Jobs, but from the very beginning, he "got it".

The ingenuity of human innovation HAS to be a God-given gift, and perhaps that is why it is so frustrating to see companies that do not focus on innovation in new products, but rather focus on profit instead.

My father once told me, "A man's work is only as good as his tools." We are fortunate that we were selected to be the inhabitants of this earth that can think for ourselves. In addition, we have the dexterity in our physical form that can take what our minds process and create new things that advance who we are. The tech industry today is easily one of the best examples, but innovation happens everyday in things like medicine and peace making as well.

I can't help but think that, in its own way, innovation is a form of worship.

-B

A Taste of Passion 2011

One of the things that I like about a progressive Church culture is that new music continues to be written for the masses and the Church. When contemporary music began to become mainstream, the world took cues from WillowCreek in Chicago. Then, the work that Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan did at Hillsong Church in Austrailia made an impression on the musical world. Around the end of the 90's, artists like Charlie Hall, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder became more celebrated worship writers through a series of conferences led by the 268 generation (under the direction of Louie Giglio) known as Passion.

Since then, more artists have come forward and more songs have been written for the Passion conferences in hopes that they would allow the Church to worship in new ways. It continues to change the worshipping world. These songs are usually somewhat accessible by a mediocre worship band at a local church or camp. Though other conferences have certainly gained the attention of worship leaders and potential song writers, Passion continues to develop the mainstream and new material comes out of them every year.

I didn't want to post these at first, because there is bound to be some sort of copyright infringement (and surely at some point these will be taken down), but in the world of video cameras on cellphones readily connected to YouTube and music written for the Church at large, this is the way we live. Because I don't know the specifics of those who authored these works, I'll simply list the leadership.

I thought you'd enjoy the aggregation of the songs below. Please, in March, buy the album.

Open the Heavens/All My Fountains - Chris Tomlin Leadership

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mzOBgvPixE]

Spirit Fall - Chris Tomlin Leadership

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSqpkW2hKDM]

We Are Here for You - Chris Tomlin Leadership (although this sounds like a Matt Redman tune)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXytBVDRdm0]

All To Us - Chris Tomlin (This is actually on his most recent album also)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWaOv91E5N4]

Where You Go We Will Follow - David Crowder Leadership

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObsBu2_CtAQ]

Song of Liberty/Set Free - Chris Tomlin Leadership

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-l0O1lR_BU]

I Need You - Chris Tomlin Leadership

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEoO1cGcBzE]

And...the results from "Do Something Now" as read aloud by Louie

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZDRmghpOb8]

 

That's it for now. When I get a kind email from Passion, I'll take them all down.

-B

 

 

On Marketing the Church

If you talk to a lot of people, especially church people, you'll get a lot of mixed responses about marketing and its relation to the church. Many many people think of marketing as a negative word.  Many many other people think that marketing is a reality, whether good or bad. Rob Bell has a quotation in Velvet Elvis that speaks about how upset he was when someone from the church that he was starting put a sign up advertising the church. He said something like "the words marketing and church can't be in the same sentence."

I bought into this theory for awhile. People have to want to come to church. No amount of commercials or billboards are going to bring them in. Sounds like a righteous argument right? If our intentions are the best, then people will want to come to church.  They will just have to.  As far as getting them there, God will take care of that.

My issue here is that I just don't see it working.

I've had the blessing now to help start two churches. Both very different, in different parts of the country. One has been around quite awhile and has struggled with many issues. One is still pretty new but has not shown any signs of huge growth.  Both have moved buildings when the first wasn't working. Both are in communities that don't allow for signs to be placed on the street.  Both are in communities that have tons of houses that house people that work in the surrounding cities. Both are surrounded by many churches. One committed itself early on to being a "contemporary" modeled church.  The other considers itself "eclectic", merging hymns and praise songs with traditional liturgy.

The second church spends lots of money sending out mailers to the surrounding neighborhoods in hopes of inviting more people to church. My initial reaction to this process (besides knowing that your response will be anywhere below 0.5% of all of the mailings you do) was one of Bell's fancy. Marketing? Church? How can they mix?  Are we trying to sell something? (You can read my take on whether or not the church has products here)

The answer (for new churches at least, and I would imagine almost for all) is...yes. We are trying to sell something. Because the more people come in, the more offering is given.  The more offering is given, means the more work that can be done to advance the Kingdom. The more work that can be done to advance the Kingdom, the more the church can live out its role. Don't believe me or disagree on principle? Ask any pastor who has been faced with a snow day or hurricane day. The decision to "cancel" church for Sunday means one thing: loss of offering.  It is even worse for those years that Christmas or Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. Some churches refer to it as "low Sunday" (along with the week after Easter) because the attendance will inevitably be down. A low attendance means a low offering. Churches are like clubs, dues are necessary to keep them rolling.

I can tell that many seminarians are grinding their teeth at this point, but it is a reality of ministry. If your church can't meet payroll, you are out of a job and the ministry will inevitably suffer.  I don't care how "just" your principle is.  New church starts struggle in America with the same struggles that new businesses have. You have to establish your product and name in order for people to be attracted to you. This is why restaurant chains are so successful, it is much easier to start in a new area.

So, living into this reality, the next obvious question to ask is about marketing. What role does quality marketing play in the renewal of a church body?

Everyone knows that the best form of marketing is word of mouth. People speak highly of you and people come.  IF what you have to offer is worth grabbing hold of (not meaning music and sermons...although those play a very real role in the attraction of new members) then people will come. It really isn't much more complicated than that.

I recently returned from Passion 2011.  Say what you want about Louie Giglio, in a world that appears like the Church is dying - Passion is still moving. Passion is known for marketing.  They put out albums, books, DVDs, etc. all with the intention of glorifying the name of God...and bringing people to their conferences. It seems to be working too (if you consider more attendees, "working"). Next year, they are going to combine the 22,000 students who meet every year in Atlanta with the other 10,000-15,000 that are meeting in Fort Worth with presumably many more who couldn't register and hold the event in the Georgia Dome. I think it houses somewhere around 70,000 people. We'll see if they get anywhere close to that.

Passion gets a lot of criticism about a lot of things. One of the biggest - money. They market and sell everything. I mean everything. And for awhile I bought into Bell's idea. This is ridiculous.  It is the church.  I don't need to see another video advertisement.

But then I saw this video: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJnPnXmXk5k]

And I compared it to this video: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ91eFAoJAk]

Both are simple.  Both have issues with them. One is noticeably "better" than the other.

And it occurred to me: Both are marketing. Given in different ways, both are marketing. Many United Methodists would disagree that the Church doesn't need marketing. But this video was sent out by the UMC. To market the conference.  I mean, really.

The reason marketing is necessary for us is because this is the way that humans take in information. You can tell someone about something. Or, you can show them. This is the role of marketing in the church. We have to tell and show people who we are. You may disagree with it on principle, but it is what it is. This may be unfortunate, but unfortunate is the way we have to live our lives sometimes.

The question then comes down to quality. Quality marketing triggers an emotional response. I think you can figure out which video above triggers the bigger emotional response.

If we confuse the ways of the world's money making with the Church, we will be pursuing a goal that does not align itself with the heart of God. IF, though, we take the principles that the world teaches because it better understands how sinful human beings relate to things and one another and use these to progress the Church, then we may learn something about ourselves and who God wants the Church to be.

Small churches are great. Small churches with clear mission statements are even better.  Small churches that are using evangelism to grow are even better. Small churches that meet solely in small groups may grow in their discipleship, but if they don't tell anyone about who they are, what they stand for, and what they think God is doing inside of them, they will die. Because people die. And unfortunately, the Kingdom work that that church had been doing dies with it.

And it doesn't need to.

-B

 

IN ADDITION - It is probably worth noting that the UM video is meant to encourage others to encourage young people.  Using word of mouth as well. Interesting use and direction.

Texting While Driving

Short, yet emotional documentary that AT&T put together about the effects of texting while driving. Told by family, friends, and strangers who caused and were affected by texting while driving. One of the arguments made is that no one sees drinking while driving as something that is acceptable but almost all of us text and drive. With the advent of keyboard less devices becoming more and more popular, the dangers are multiplied. With drinking and driving, your vision is impaired. With texting, your vision isn't there at all. I'd almost rather have a drunk driver because they are most likely trying hard to pay attention and drive safely whereas a texting driver doesn't care.

[youtube=Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs&]

About a year ago, I noticed this to be a problem in my own driving habits. I have thought many times that phones need a driving mode, where text messages are automatically responded to with a "driving" mark and don't even appear to the driver. It could be automatic so that whenever a driver enters a car, the phone can't not go into the mode. Unfortunately, this would likely only appear in top level phones and cars, something teenagers don't often have. Unless, I suppose, congress were to step in.

Personally, I use my phone as a GPS device, attached by suction cup to my windshield. I use voice control for calling and ipod control and the angle is such that I don't even like typing on it while parked. It has worked for me because I don't even consider responding unless I am at a light. I just wish I had a way to let the sender know I wasn't ignoring them.

If you were 23 more times likely to die doing any other activities, you wouldn't do them. So why do we do this?

I invite you to think about what measures you might put into place in your own driving habits so that you aren't even tempted to respond to a text message.

-B

These Kids Get Everything...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gKYFZyvehE] If you can stand the barrage of screaming kids excited about-well, everything, you'll understand that PS22 has been invited to perform at the Academy Awards. Red carpet treatment and all.

I typically don't pay too much attention to award shows (sadly, this often includes the Oscars) but I'll probably watch this time. In the past, these kids have been pretty darn impressive for an inner city school choir.

Hats off to the director (former teacher of a friend of mine) who has used YouTube to take the choir to national acknowledgment. The internet is so powerful.

 

-B

Just Tell Me This Isn't Like American Idol...

You won't find many more people more excited and driven to continue and advance with contemporary worship music than me. I love Hillsong. I think that most of the work that they do has advanced American Christianity. In many ways, for the better. But they miss the point on so many occasions. I can't help but think that this just is a bit...over the top.

Maybe sometime when I don't have studying to tend to I'll talk more about how I think that production in these services can work toward a higher goal and so we ought not be so quick to judge the work that they are doing to advance the Kingdom, but my first glance's reaction to this video was...a little bit of outrage.

I wouldn't be surprised if they started having Coke cups on stage because they had all of the sudden secured a sponsor.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHKeVmuQ8V4]

Thanks to Bryan Browning for the link.

-B