I hate coming to conferences. Especially here during the years-long process of church building. I get to see and experience lots of cool things. I see how technology is used in ministry. And I long to be a part of using that technology for ministry. I see and experience how I am drawn closer in worship as technology is used. And I see how others employ excellence.
And then there’s CBC.
OK, so we excel at people. Or at least the perception of such. And this is a great thing. But, that “excellence” is really just about ourselves anyway. Do we really reach out? As long as someone comes into our building, we “reach” out. And even then…
So, back on topic. The problem is that I LIKE the technology. So, it’s hard for me to remain subjective about it. Do I want 3 screens in the new worship center? Sure! And intelligent lights? Yep. But, just as the use of those things help draw me in, others have remarked that those things don’t. Apparently they like the florescent lites. They are less expensive to use. So, if that’s the case, why are we even building? Isn’t the building itself expensive?
I struggle. If we are really reaching out making a difference in the lives of people, do we need the toys to make it work? But, if people respond to those toys, if even for the “right” reasons rather than just as a gear-head like me, then wouldn’t it make sense to consider the use of them?
Through the years, the church has led the world in art. We see awesome, incredible architecture in the churches that have been constructed. We even see, or at least read and envision the Temple that Solomon built. Yet, if we use incandescent lites, then we must be poor stewards because we could use something less expensive, albeit horribly ugly. We go see the Sistene Chapel and marvel at it’s beauty but use The Crystal Cathedral as an example of gross misuse of funds. Not that I am suggesting we build a CC, but, why are we so judgmental?
My random thoughts aren’t very well organized right now. And maybe this is all just me. I certainly leave room for that. I don’t know. 15 years ago I did the best I could with what I have. Now, it seems like I have the “tools” to do better, but, the excellence part just isn’t happening.
And maybe it is partly the church. It’s frustrating to be a part of things that do things well, and then not be allowed to exercise that “well” well option in my own home church. When I make suggestions, I get the proverbial, “we don’t want to be just another Johnson County church”. The future of our church isn’t the Baby Boomers, nor Gen X. Yet, those are the ones making the decisions, leaning more towards the former. If what I understand is correct and churches have a typical lifespan of 60 years, then, when the boomers die, so will the church as we have failed to meet the apparent needs of the future generation. Uggh. There are reasons why perhaps the Catholics have it right…
So, how does what I see in these conferences and what happen in the local church relate to each other? Is it excellence or is it just toys? Does the “real world” have any impact on what happens in church? If the “real world” does marketing well, does the church need to follow? Or do “marketing” and “church” not belong in the same sentence? Where does excellence fit in church? Or, is that a completely wrong question to even ask?
Ok, so, this particular event I’m at, it’s just toys. The band is ok. The sound, well, feedback that shut down the show last night. Not good. Ground loop issues in the video feed. Lots of intelligent lites, but, still hard to see the stage. The toys are certainly blinky. Would excellence with fewer blinkys make a difference? Or, even excellence in general? Do we strive for excellence or is it just a excuse to be picky? Sorry for all the questions.
