I'm working on another article for Relevant Leader. Here's an excerpt:
Remember the battle of Troy? The Greeks sailed across the Aegean Sea to rescue their kidnapped Queen. They thought it would be a short war. Ten years later, the city of Troy was still impregnable. Then, according to Greek mythology, Athena gave Odysseus an idea. The Greeks built a hollow horse big enough to hide a regiment of soldiers. They parked the horse by the gate of the city and sailed their ships around the tip of the island. The Trojans thought it was a peace offering, but in the middle of the night the regiment of soldiers exited the horse, opened the gates for the Greek army that had sailed back, and rescued Queen Helen. Mission accomplished.
Here's a thought: technology is a Trojan Horse.
Blogs and podcasts are Trojan horses that get behind the impregnable defense mechanisms that keep people out of church. Why? Because they are non-threatening. Blog visitors can remain "anonymous" as long as they want to or need to. Podcast listeners can download Theaterchurch.com and check us out while they work out or hang out or commute to work.
We don't ask people to come to church. We go to them. Podcast listeners can have church anytime, anywhere. Am I suggesting that a podcast is a replacement for "the gathering" together of believers? Absolutely not. Think of the podcast as a side door into NCC. Actually, front door might be a more apt description. Podcast listeners are subscribing at a rate of almost 100 per day less than three months after launching our podcast.
One last thought. We're not trying to save a Queen who has been kidnapped. We're trying to rescue souls that that have been kidnapped and held captive by the enemy. Hopefully the podcast and blog will help people find their way back to God.
Remember the battle of Troy? The Greeks sailed across the Aegean Sea to rescue their kidnapped Queen. They thought it would be a short war. Ten years later, the city of Troy was still impregnable. Then, according to Greek mythology, Athena gave Odysseus an idea. The Greeks built a hollow horse big enough to hide a regiment of soldiers. They parked the horse by the gate of the city and sailed their ships around the tip of the island. The Trojans thought it was a peace offering, but in the middle of the night the regiment of soldiers exited the horse, opened the gates for the Greek army that had sailed back, and rescued Queen Helen. Mission accomplished.
Here's a thought: technology is a Trojan Horse.
Blogs and podcasts are Trojan horses that get behind the impregnable defense mechanisms that keep people out of church. Why? Because they are non-threatening. Blog visitors can remain "anonymous" as long as they want to or need to. Podcast listeners can download Theaterchurch.com and check us out while they work out or hang out or commute to work.
We don't ask people to come to church. We go to them. Podcast listeners can have church anytime, anywhere. Am I suggesting that a podcast is a replacement for "the gathering" together of believers? Absolutely not. Think of the podcast as a side door into NCC. Actually, front door might be a more apt description. Podcast listeners are subscribing at a rate of almost 100 per day less than three months after launching our podcast.
One last thought. We're not trying to save a Queen who has been kidnapped. We're trying to rescue souls that that have been kidnapped and held captive by the enemy. Hopefully the podcast and blog will help people find their way back to God.
5 Comments:
Awesome comparison!
What are the impregnable defense mechanisms that keep people out of church?
Great question. Here are the big three:
1) perceived irrelevance
2) can you say boring?
3) fear of the unknown
Podcasting and blogging is like a battering ram that knocks down those barriers.
By simply redeeming technology like a blog or podcast you build credibility with a tech-savvy person. Wow. A church that blogs and podcast? Hmmmm. Maybe they aren't as "irrevelant" or "behind the times" as I thought.
Boring? Anything but :) Wait till my vlog post later today. There is nothing boring about following Christ. Boredom is an unpardonable sin. I think the podcast and blog give people a "taste test" of NCC.
And finally, fear of the unknown. They can tune into the podcast anywhere. It's church on their terms! It removes the fear factor and it gives them a measure of confidence when they visit NCC in person for the first time.
Hope that helps.
When there is a message in tongues and an interpertation, is that broadcasted also?
We only podcast our messages :)
Of course, some people have said that I "preach in tongues" that need interpretation :)
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