Michael Buckingham is the founder of Holy Cow Creative (a church creativity and design studio) and the creative director for the Center for Church Communication and Church Marketing Sucks. A few weeks ago he blogged about the tendency of churches to take ourselves and our rules too seriously, which is in complete contrast to typical Apple store environment. To illustrate the “all are welcomed” approach of Apple stores, he shared a YouTube video of Mark Malkoff attempting to determine just what types of activities, attire, and pets are welcome:
So What?
Buckingham contrasts that to the typical church experience:
How many of us walk into church and see:
“Please no food or drink in the sanctuary”. (unless you’re the pastor, we know you have to have your beverage)
Or have to be dressed a certain way.
Or be careful to sit in the right section.
Don’t dream about coming in hungover.
Be sure to leave your drug addicted college drop out son at home (that’s what we have a podcast for).
Oh and your lesbian lover…best sit in different rows.
And BTW, your kid is making too much noise.
Do newcomers experience a welcome like that of the Apple store or that of the traditional Protestant church in your local congregation?
Alternatively, would you rather be a part of a church that was more like Starbucks (read what that would be like here) or an Apple store? Why?