It’s About…
Drive around for awhile, or pay attention to online ads for local congregations. Let the messaging really sink in. Sometimes, it is said explicitly, while at other times, it is more implicit. What you will see is that congregations often want to brand themselves what what they are “all about.”
You’ll hear clear tones–and undertones–that say…
“It’s about you.” This is the “come as you are” church. “We’re casual.” The congregation seemingly boasts about how they are laid back and how their worship and atmosphere isn’t “stuffy.” The programs are meant to make you feel better and you’ll leave knowing you’ve had an “encounter.”
“It’s about the kids.” This is the church that has the ultimate VBS. You honestly wonder how they can possibly afford to put on such a production. Everything you see on social media centers around some huge thing their youth group is doing.
“It’s about the community.” That congregation partners with local businesses and ministries all the time. They have drives and fund-raisers constantly.
“It’s about the experience.” The lights and staging are right out of a Nashville stage. The entire “mood” of the place just makes you feel something. There may even be a certain scent that is in the air just to make sure you feel the experience of having been in worship.
Now, let it be said that none of these things is wrong to some degree. We want people to come “just as they are.” We want to go all out for kids as much as we can. We want to serve our community and be a beacon of hope there. We want people to “feel” something and do what we can to help them worship (without changing doctrine to do so, of course).
But when these things are the ultimate messaging and branding that is given off by a congregation, there is something huge that is missing. It is what the Church is supposed to reflect at all times and it is where our focus needs to be 100% of the time. It is supposed to be why anything else we do exists in the first place and the lens through which we see all programs and ministries and works.
What is it?
It’s all about Jesus.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
