This week has been a great visit to Dallas and Fellowship Church. Last night John and I went to the Mav's game and aftewards grabbed some food. Today we went to the Gaylord Hotel, P.F. Changs, and the Blue Fish. What I've noticed by these and other experiences here in Dallas is that the environment here is full of great ideas for ministry aesthetics. Everywhere you look you see some creative, innovative presentation idea. The people of this area truly demand the quality and professionalism that the Fellowship Church staff deliver week after week. It is no accident that Fellowship is one of the leading churches of innovative and creative presentation of the gospel. Much of what I've observed (Inside FC and out) can even be done by churches like ours with extremely limited resources and staff. We have no excuses.
Mitch Corn, a friend from college works on staff with the Children's ministry here. We spent some time the last two days talking and hanging out. Mitch has had nothing but terrific things to say about the workings of this ministry behind closed doors. I don't believe Mitch is the exception on this staff nor do I believe he's putting on a face. I think this team is completely solid and the level with which they are able to push Christianity forward with regard to our presentation and professionalism is truly a unique and humbling place to be in God's plan.
We all must get out more. Now, I will say that here in Grapevine, Southlake, Plano, etc. There are tons of places to go for inspiration. The consumer here is used to a top of the line experience. But that's no excuse for the rest of us. You and I may have to look a little harder or spend some money to go to some nicer resturants or malls and depending where you are you may even have to go to a nearby city that's larger and has more shopping attractions. Is your ministry worth looking around? The Gospel itself offends those who aren't ready to recieve it but we do not have to wrap it with terrible presentation.
There are people who would complain about even the notion that pastors look to "the world" for creative elements to wrap the gospel. To those people, I say grab a blender. Blender? Yes. Take your next meal and put it all in a blender. Drink that combination down and you tell me if presentation and order do not have anything to do with your experience of eating your meal. Afterall, the purpose of food is simply to keep us alive... Right?
Here's the deal. We have no excuses. No matter where you are in the country you need inspiration and you owe it to your people to think like they think. Go out and eat. Go to a basketball game. Get out of your office and I dunno, walk your neighborhoods? Find out which types of stores in your area are most frequented by your target crowd and go observe. Incorporate elements from those places into your church. We must Ask questions, Seek out inspiration and Knock down the barriers that keep the unchurched from falling in love with the bride of Christ, the local church.
Relevant Links:
Fellowship Church
Fellowship Technologies
Fellowship Connection
Creative Pastors
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