A sister church in a neighboring town is getting ready for its 5th annual Talent Contest. Growing up we used to have talent nights and the great thing was that you didn’t have to be talented to participate. The congregation found pleasure in the more seasoned performers and enjoyed the up-and-coming. They were always an encouragement to even the most untalented amongst us. In a sense the audience had a ringside seat in the potter’s house where they could watch the Lord mold and shape His vessels. “Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand…” (Jeremiah 18:6b ESV)
1 comment:
Gail;
-----I like to use my imagination to look back into simpler times. In those days before television, movies, and radio, people still had the need for entertainment. That need is an inexorable force of human nature because it has been given by God. Of course saloons, brothels, and barn dances offered competition for the church, but too, the church then enjoyed a much larger share of the entertainment market. Church socials, potlucks, and such weren’t just an enticement for the unchurched and the seekers. They were part of the community’s social life. And in serving its part, the church people became a more effective immune system for the community norms. Not that all communities’ immune systems were strong, Las Vegas and Hollywood are good examples, but that they were there and some were strong.
-----Electronics have moved the social influence of entertainment from the community level to, well, almost the global level. God bless this little congregation in its Talent Contest. It entertains within the walls of its own confines, but it sparks interest as well in how God needs His people to serve this vital trait of human nature. I give one giant “thank God” to the mega church. A large church Like Sherwood Baptist Church can bring together the interest, talent, and funds to produce truly entertaining and meaningful movies like Flywheel, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants. I hate the blanket of darkness Hollywood, TV sitcoms, and mainstream news outlets have pulled over America by taking advantage of the simple human desire to be entertained. Now, the church is finally beginning to realize they can play an immunizing role against the darkness in this vast community as well.
-----But to do that they must understand competition. It is a different community than what meets within the walls of little buildings on Sunday mornings. The storyline and message of Flywheel was so great that its unsalvageable lack of acting talent and unimaginative script completely receded out of view. The talent and scripting of Fireproof rose only somewhat higher, but again, its storyline and message were impeccable. Even the more critical Christian viewer (and I am that or more) could completely dismiss their B-rate levels. It does not work that way for the Spiderman, Avatar, and Terminator fans, though. These guys won’t give attention to such movies much beyond the opening credits. To make a real impact on our darkened culture, we need movies and entertainment that truly entertain the large cross-sections of people who regularly pop DVD’s into their players. They are not going to abide with the Christian buzz-phrase recurring every fifth line of the script, or the obvious gestures and situations entered into the storyline for no other purpose than to preach the gospel subtly, but pointedly.
-----“Now, Steve!” many of you must be saying, “We are commissioned to preach the gospel.” And you are right. And we are. So now we need to also take up our commission to be salt. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe did that well. It doesn’t even need to be always that pronounced. Bonanza was great! For to do its job, salt must get all over the ones who need salted. Entertainment is what gets all over them. So simply salted entertainment is important to the immune system. Maybe when churches across the country have collected their efforts, funds, and best talents into an effective movie industry truly competitive with Follywood, there might even be a little less pressure to make His worship services so entertaining.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
Post a Comment