I try to do a lot of cross-polinization reading. I just read a fascinating book titled Developing Retail Entertainment Destinations. Got to give props to Ben Arment for the recommendation.
First things first. Churches aren't competing with other churches. We're competing with MTV and Hollywood and Madison Avenue. We're competing against any alternate use of time. That means we better know the competition. That's part of being "as shrewd as snakes." Second things second. The church isn't a retail or entertainment desination. The church is a spiritual wormhole where people can connect with God Almighty.
Gregory Beck, the president of Architecture + Entertainment Design, makes a straight forward observation that has huge ramifications for the church. "Entertainment values have raised our expectations about the quality and rewards of most places we visit." Take out "most places" and insert "churches."
Beck says, "Retail stores are theatrical occasions." The same is true of book stores. Most of them have added in-store cafes. My kids love going to IKEA because of the "play room." They can have fun while we shop. Like it or not, that raises the creativity bar for churches. That means if the church stays the same it is actually losing creative ground by virtue of what I'd call "creative inflation."
I'm obviously not suggesting that the church conform to the culture. I'm just saying that retailers are getting more creative. The competition has upped the ante. The church shouldn't just be keeping up. We ought to be setting the creative pace. It's one of my core convictions: the church ought to be the most creative place on the planet.
Developing Retail Entertainment Destinations is all about creating themed environments. Isn't that what God did with the Tabernacle? Fifteen chapters are dedicated to the color of the draperies and the smell of the incense. That reveals one simple truth: aesthetics are important.
Sometimes I feel like I'm cursed. I'm like an interior designer trapped in a pastor's body. I'm like an artist who can't even draw stick figures. I have tons of artistic ideas. But I'm 100% reliant upon others to turn them into reality. I just think it's the "little details" that give a space its signature. Evidently, God was concerned about the color of the draperies. Maybe the color of the carpet is a bigger deal than we think it is. That's why so much thought has gone into the aesthetics of Ebenezers, our coffeehouse on Capitol Hill.
One of the things we're going after is what I'd call the "double take" effect. We want some elements to be so distinctive that it causes people to look twice. For example, the train tracks in the floor on the main level are a "double take" feature. My latest idea on the lower level is an 18th century map of DC on the stained concrete floors.
For what it's worth, I think Heaven will be the ultimate entertainment destination :) And when I say entertainment I mean it in the holy and highest sense. Nothing is as "entertaining" as worship God Almighty! Like everything else, I think we need to redeem entertainment. Please don't take that the wrong way. I'm not trying to denigrate worship to the level of entertainment. I'm trying to elevate entertainment to the level of worship.
I think the thirty minutes of silence in book of Revelation is induced shock from the aesthetic effect. We'll need thirty minutes to catch our breath. We'll need thirty minutes for our eyes to adjust to the light. Actually, we'll spend all eternity "adjusting" to the physical presence of God.
Talk about creative inflation!
First things first. Churches aren't competing with other churches. We're competing with MTV and Hollywood and Madison Avenue. We're competing against any alternate use of time. That means we better know the competition. That's part of being "as shrewd as snakes." Second things second. The church isn't a retail or entertainment desination. The church is a spiritual wormhole where people can connect with God Almighty.
Gregory Beck, the president of Architecture + Entertainment Design, makes a straight forward observation that has huge ramifications for the church. "Entertainment values have raised our expectations about the quality and rewards of most places we visit." Take out "most places" and insert "churches."
Beck says, "Retail stores are theatrical occasions." The same is true of book stores. Most of them have added in-store cafes. My kids love going to IKEA because of the "play room." They can have fun while we shop. Like it or not, that raises the creativity bar for churches. That means if the church stays the same it is actually losing creative ground by virtue of what I'd call "creative inflation."
I'm obviously not suggesting that the church conform to the culture. I'm just saying that retailers are getting more creative. The competition has upped the ante. The church shouldn't just be keeping up. We ought to be setting the creative pace. It's one of my core convictions: the church ought to be the most creative place on the planet.
Developing Retail Entertainment Destinations is all about creating themed environments. Isn't that what God did with the Tabernacle? Fifteen chapters are dedicated to the color of the draperies and the smell of the incense. That reveals one simple truth: aesthetics are important.
Sometimes I feel like I'm cursed. I'm like an interior designer trapped in a pastor's body. I'm like an artist who can't even draw stick figures. I have tons of artistic ideas. But I'm 100% reliant upon others to turn them into reality. I just think it's the "little details" that give a space its signature. Evidently, God was concerned about the color of the draperies. Maybe the color of the carpet is a bigger deal than we think it is. That's why so much thought has gone into the aesthetics of Ebenezers, our coffeehouse on Capitol Hill.
One of the things we're going after is what I'd call the "double take" effect. We want some elements to be so distinctive that it causes people to look twice. For example, the train tracks in the floor on the main level are a "double take" feature. My latest idea on the lower level is an 18th century map of DC on the stained concrete floors.
For what it's worth, I think Heaven will be the ultimate entertainment destination :) And when I say entertainment I mean it in the holy and highest sense. Nothing is as "entertaining" as worship God Almighty! Like everything else, I think we need to redeem entertainment. Please don't take that the wrong way. I'm not trying to denigrate worship to the level of entertainment. I'm trying to elevate entertainment to the level of worship.
I think the thirty minutes of silence in book of Revelation is induced shock from the aesthetic effect. We'll need thirty minutes to catch our breath. We'll need thirty minutes for our eyes to adjust to the light. Actually, we'll spend all eternity "adjusting" to the physical presence of God.
Talk about creative inflation!
22 Comments:
"I'm obviously not suggesting that the church conform to the culture."
Based on the point of the blog it's not so obvious to me. If the trend of our culture wasn't toward "Retail Entertainment Destinations" you wouldn't be pushing it for our Churches. Sounds like conforming to me. What really sparked my interest was your point concerning the Tabernacle. You make it sound almost like passing a Bath & Body Works in the mall. Now the objects in the Tabernacle may have some aesthetic value, but each one of them had a seperate meaning and purpose.
Here is an idea for a theme Church. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in it. Oh sorry we don't talk abou that anyomore in our Churches.
"And when I say entertainment I mean it in the holy and highest sense."
If you need to apolgize for it I suggest finding a different word than "entertainment" to convey your thought.
Anonymous, Mark seems to be talking about using the Holy Spirit's creativity to glorify God. I got no beef with that.
Where did he mention the Holy Spirit? What is "Holy Spirit Creativity"?
Permission to speak frankly?
To diss the blog because I don't mention the Holy Spirit seems a little disingenuous :) I can't mention everything in every blog :)
The Holy Spirit is the source of creativity. God is omni-creative. That is where our creativity comes from.
All I'm saying is this: if 15 chapters in Exodus are dedicated to the "aesthetics" in the Temple then maybe it's important.
I think we have a very narrow appreciate of the Holy Spirit sometimes. For example, we think of him as counselor but only in the "spiritual" sense. I think He's a financial counselor and occupational counselor and grief counselor. He is all those things.
I think dreams and visions are a byproduct of being spirit filled. Read Acts 2.
Anywho. I'm rambling now.
Two more thoughts. I'm not afraid of the word entertainment. I believe God wants to redeem everything.
I do think the Holy Spirit working in our lives individually and corporately is the key to everything. Without the Spirit we're dust.
Read the Jack Squat blog :)
The blog wasn't dissed because you failed to mention the Holy Spirit, it was dissed because you claim the ideas in it were unconforming to our culture. To be honest give the incredible wide view of Scripture of many of these blogs it is almost impossible to conform to the culture.
"All I'm saying is this: if 15 chapters in Exodus are dedicated to the "aesthetics" in the Temple then maybe it's important. "
I am sure you mean the Tabernacle. Yes they are important but not for the reasons you want us to believe.
This stuff isn't for everybody! Not everyone will be reached via creativity. It's one aspect of the person and character of God. That is why God made so many different colors, tastes, smells, etc! You like one taste, I like another! Personally, the taste of these blogs is GREAT! It is this kind of thinking and relating to God that feeds me. In fact, if I go to a church that doesn't have this creativity, I don't go! So it works for some, but not for others. Where I struggle with the "diss" is that it is a "diss". That is limiting God to not allow Him to use these mediums and avenues to reach people He loves and desires to walk in relationship with. I used to feel the same away about people who DON'T think the way this type of blog does! "Traditional Church"! Or, overly emotional churches (ie. pentecostals). Or, non-emotional churches. I'm in the middle. But doesn't it come down to the relationship with Jesus? I like spicy food. My friend doesn't. So is his ability to taste wrong? I like blue, you like red. I like creative, non-traditional churches and ideas, you don't. God is big enough that both can exist, and need to exist to maximize the people we reach with His love and forgiveness!
God is omni-creative and the church ought to be the most creative place on the planet.
Can we at least agree on that :)
For what it's worth, I rarely read anything I agree with 100%. I find it helpful to read things that stretch me or cause friction. Friction is what sharpens us.
Thanks for reading :)
Your comments sharpen my edge as well :)
"This stuff isn't for everybody!"
Did Paul say this? Maybe it was Peter? No Timothy? If it is of God it's for everybody. If it isn't of God than it's for nobody. I realize your statement is strategic. I gives permission to "experiment". Those who object are kindly pointed to another Church. This is immature.
"That is limiting God"
We have all the freedoms that the Scripture allows but also are limited and bound by the same. Many times I wish it weren't so, but it is.
Here is what Paul said:
1 Corinthians 1:10-12
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
In other words, Paul reaches some, Apollos others, Pastor Mark others, and anonomous still others! What matters, according to Paul, is that we agree that we are on the same team! Thank God for that! Anonomous, you aren't the only guy on the team.
Christ is not divided, and neither is His Church. We're all trying to reach people with Jesus love and forgiveness.
This is what I mean by "this stuff isn't for everyone". I'm not saying God isn't for everyone. I'm saying the language and medium isn't. You say, "If it is of God it's for everybody." If some one presented the gospel in Portugese, is that for everybody? No. So do we throw the Portugese presentation of the gospel out and say "if it doesn't work for me, it's not God?" Is that immature to point the Portugese speaking person to another church b/c our presentation doesn't reach them?
Keep doing what you are doing, anonomous! But don't create divisions among the church. Rather, as Paul says, agree with one another so that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
To God be the Glory!
So is the idea of this blog conforming to the culture or not?
Ro 16:17 -
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
I can't speak for the writer of this blog, but I think the idea is to speak the language of the people, whether their mind best understands Portugese, Spanish, Creatively, Scientifically, Traditionally, Emotionally, etc. To me, this blog challenges us to realize that there are different ways to communicate the same message of Hope, Forgiveness, and Love! Therefore, be creative in communicating the SAME message! The message is the same, the language, or presentation, as long as it points to Jesus, is optional and open to creativity. So be creative! That is what I hear Pastor Mark saying. Speak the language of the people. When with Greeks, speak Greek, eat Greek, dress Greek, all to win the Greeks! When reaching today's culture, be a part of it to reach them. Again, Paul said that. In that He seems to be saying to conform to the culture in the areas that are non-essentials. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners and went to where the people were. He conformed to their world to reach them. Again, the line is anything that would compromise the truth. He didn't sin, but he did seem to conform/adapt to their world (the definition of conform is adapt). The challenge here is to be creative in how we do that! Conform but do not compromise! Same message, lots of different methods, one purpose!
Conform: Definition
English: To act in accordance with current customs or modes
Greek: Suschematizo
to conform one's self to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to)
Let's try this: Here is a portion from the blog:
"That means if the church stays the same it is actually losing creative ground by virtue of what I'd call "creative inflation."
this has the same meaning
"That means if the church does not 'fashion one's self according to these standards' (conform) it is actually losing creative ground by virtue of what I'd call "creative inflation."
Ro 12:2 -And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Mark is suggesting conformity in this blog.
So what is it called when Paul says to be like the Greeks when with the Greeks? Isn't that conforming?
When I look up the word "conform" at dictionary.com, it has a one word definition: adapt.
We always have to adapt the presentation of the message and the church to the culture. As I said before, we adapt the language it's spoken in. We adapt our clothes (Africans where different clothes to church than Americans).
Romans 12:2 is talking about the perfect will of God. We aren't changing the will of God and making it fit our culture. We are adapting the presentation of the perfect will of God. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
Wasn't Jesus leaving heaven and coming to earth the ultimate act of conforming to our world? He became like us to save us! That was pretty creative! Even by your definition of conform, Jesus conformed to earth, to humanity, to Jewish culture, etc.
Shouldn't we follow the example of Jesus and become like those we are trying to reach for Him?
Again, He conformed to our world without compromising the truth. So, we should do the same.
You missed a big one: Just by breathing the air we breathe we are conforming to this World. So in your opinion there really is no "wrong" way to conform to the world. This would be better said "changing the will of God" So Romans 12:2 makes no sense. Your kidding yourself to think that the "SPIRIT (evil) OF THE WORLD" is not behind many of the things that we are enouraged to endorse and bring in our Churches in some of these blogs.
Tit 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly *, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
But if we are going to speak in generalities let's go for it:
Much of the NT was written during the peak of the great Roman entertainment culture. But yet we find no evidence in Scripture that Churches piggybacked off of this subcluture to attract the unbeliever. What an opportunity missed!!!!!!!! So we should not also.
We Agree: the message that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. That no one comes to the Father but by Him. The Word is inspired. There is one true God. That this message should be shared with the whole world. That this message should be shared without prejudice and compromise.
We Disagree: the message can be presented with computers, websites, technology, pictures, movies, skits, drama, laughter, with shorts on, with a suit & tie on, or as Pastor Mark said in this blog, with creativity - as long as the message is not compromised.
Pastor Mark said in this blog, Churches need to be similar to "Retail Entertainment Destinations", I don't find that creative.
I exit the blogosphere for a few minutes and got all these comments in my inbox :) Whew!
I don't want to respond to anonymous, not becasue his points are valid, but because I try not to get defensive and I feel like some of the comments are meant to "bait." I want to be a proactive blogger. And, honestly, I don't always agree with myself :) As soon as I'm omniscient I'll let everyone know :)
What I would like to share is a few thoughts on how to handle criticism.
Look in the mirror. Is there any truth to the criticism. If so, then repent. If not, then shake the dust off your feet.
I heard Erwin McManus say something a few years ago, "Don't let an arrow penetrate your heart unless it first passes through the filter of Scripture."
By the way, I've noticed that as God gives us a bigger platform the target on our back gets bigger :)
The key is keeping a soft heart and pure motives.
Thanks for reading.
"And, honestly, I don't always agree with myself"???????????
Talk about baiting
We have a Batterson family saying. Actually it's a "Deep Thought" by Jack Handey:
"If you drop your keys in a river of molten lava, let 'em go man cause they're gone."
I think the keys are in the molten lava :)
If you have further thoughts feel free to post your blog address.
Blog On.
I like this one:
If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave man, I guess I'm a coward.
It's your blog I'll shut up
LOL :)
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