What are people looking for in a church?
Pastors ask this question regularly – and we should. But too often, I think we miss the mark entirely.
Recently, I was with a group of ministers sharing new ideas. Much of our discussion centered on issues like the quality and volume of the music, stage lighting, use of video and drama, sermon length, advertising, signage, and the like.
Then it hit me. There is too little difference between ministers talking about church, and a theater group talking about their upcoming play.
The other voices faded into the background as I realized something about myself.
I’m getting tired of the show.
You’ll Know Them By Their Video Clips
I’ve spent decades tweaking the service order, adjusting audio levels, setting up chairs, approving graphic designs and all the other work it takes to conduct a church service.
Does anyone really think the reason our next door neighbors aren’t going to church is poor stage lighting and a less-than-perfect closing song?
Or are they looking for something else entirely?
It’s not that those elements don’t matter. If they’re done poorly, they can distract from the message. But spending too much time and effort on them can distract from the message, too.
Let’s face the truth. It doesn’t matter how big our churches are, how much money we have, or how many A-List Hollywood producers become believers. If we compete head-to-head with Hollywood on entertainment quality, Hollywood wins, the church loses.
Not only can’t we compete with the latest Hollywood blockbuster at the local theater, we can’t compete with the phone in our pocket. The highest quality entertainment in the world is literally at our fingertips, 24/7.
My neighbor isn’t going to be blown away by the spectacle of our church’s Easter pageant.
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SOURCE: Christianity Today, Leadership Journal
Karl Vaters
BCNN1 WP 