Meat

I have a lot of blogs I keep up with many of which are from senior pastors all over the country. It has seemed for some time now that there is a "see who can be cuter" contest going on. Let me explain. It seems as though all of these churches (which are some of the fastest growing in the US) are trying to outdo the others by coming up with the flashiest ideas and gimmicks.

First, let me say that for the first 5 or 6 years of my time in ministry I was deadset on having the best gimmicks around. My gimiicks would convince you to come to church. But once I got you there there was not much meat to keep you there. There was nothing to eat. And I got stuck in the trap of trying to outdo the last gimmick I created. Tough to say the least.

Then we started Seven. I went to the other side of the scale. I was all about feeding and cared nothing about the gimmicks, the lights, atmosphere, production, all of it. I felt like we were feeding and people were eating and it didn't matter what the room looked like.

As I've said before, Seven has been full of "teachable moments". I am learning a lot about the dynamics of church and my generation, what works, what doesn't work, what's hard, what's easy, what's funny, what's stupid, what draws, what doesn't draw. The past two series have not had the life that I have normally set out to offer. It was a learning experience to the nth degree. It's funny how the Lord is always trying to get my attention to teach me something. I love it. But it doesn't come without a little frustration.

There has to be a balance. My goal in life is to reach as many people as I can with every resource that I can to teach every person that I can to reach every person that they can with the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ.

He was creative. Actually He was so creative that he is the Creator. But he always, always, always no matter how creative the illustration or gimmick was, gave away the meat. ALWAYS.

We think that lost people are impressed with the gimmicks. I don't think that is true. Gimmicks get them there but what impresses them is meat...that somebody gave them something to chew on...to think about. You know who get's stuck on the gimmicks? Church people. Who always talked and murmered most about Christs' message? The religious ones.

So here's what I think...the gimmicks help people in church keep it fresh. It may inspire them to find something new with God. Gimmicks may keep lost people coming in the door but it is the meat that keeps them coming through the door. I want both, I do. But I want the meat. I don't want to be so cute that it distracts from what the Lord is trying to say. But I also don't want to be so meaty that it doesn't inspire people to be creative and innovative in their relationship with the Lord.

It's a balance I guess I will spend the rest of my life in ministry trying to keep tight. Eat up.