tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577030060640806742.post1387772838301837427..comments2023-08-04T09:22:49.306-04:00Comments on Inverted Planet: Marketing the ChurchBruce Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16581774031989668349noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577030060640806742.post-979521451607882672010-07-20T10:09:56.579-04:002010-07-20T10:09:56.579-04:00I really wish that this problem was exaggerated. ...I really wish that this problem was exaggerated. The 'pastor' at the 'church' I work for reads more business strategy & 'How to change the church model' books than the Bible. I also have been told that "in seminary, a professor told me that if I couldn't sell a vacuum cleaner, how could I ever expect to sell Jesus". <br /><br />In addition to the marketing/business leader slant there has been more and more talk lately about social justice & equality and racial reconciliation at the same time that a $1000 new laptop becomes a 'need' for the 'pastor'. Last Sunday, the message consisted of VBS pictures and stories, which have their place; but I'm wondering where these people go to be fed/taught, and if they don't know the Word, who are they worshipping? <br /><br />Praise God for leading us to Lakeside and giving us meat to chew on. We are so grateful for His provision of our Pastors/Elders/Teachers, and thank God that when we 'examine the scriptures daily to see if these things are so', we get a resounding YES. God Bless You!ABurkholzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01478942767711159358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2577030060640806742.post-27206128481648688352010-05-31T13:20:52.099-04:002010-05-31T13:20:52.099-04:00I must admit that I have heard of these schemes an...I must admit that I have heard of these schemes and market-driven tactics, but on some level believed the problem to be exaggerated.<br /><br />Until, that is, we were invited to visit an extended family member's church for a dedication service for their child. There were the rock band guitar riffs, drum solos, breathy pleas for folks to really worship (which I assume must mean be more emotive because people were singing). Then the special music: A King's of Leon (secular band) song that goes something like this: <br /><i> Don'tcha know that I could use somebody, Someone like you.</i><br />I assume this song was originally intended to be a guy trying to convince a girl to give him a chance because you know, he could use <i>somebody</i>. Anyway, the pastor went on for a while about how we need to be better fathers, equated sin to poverty, sickness, and human frailty and then when he finally mentioned Christ made a blanket statement about how Jesus died to free us from our (new definition of) sin, and how God is intending to right all these "wrongs" in our lives.<br /><br />We were surely glad to be home to Lakeside the next week. Thank you Bruce and all of our Pastors for the faithful teaching of God's Word. May God richly bless your ministries.SandManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04003338922805271638noreply@blogger.com