Yesterday I realized that I had not upgraded to the newest release of Mozilla Firefox. On the upgrade page, I found a video that everyone should see (whether or not you ever have used or will use this browser). It is, without qualification, the best video I have seen in 2012.
So What?
Imagine if the idea captured within this video were to be applied to your local congregation. I transcribed the video, then gave the words a makeover for a new audience. I relied heavily on the original words, making changes only in places that warranted such. Watch the video, read these words, watch the video again, and finally read the words again.
We’re quite content to be the odd church out. We don’t have a fancy logo to go along with a catchy marketing appeal. We don’t have a competition mindset. We don’t have sacred rockstars that we put above others. We don’t make the same deals, sign the same statements of belief, or exclude others who differ from us. And all of this is fine by us.
We are a pack of independently spirited, fiercely unconventionally people who do things a little differently. Where another church may value numbers (budgets & members), we value, well values. When a so-called competitor considers making something proprietary, we strive to set it free. And while most big religious decisions are made behind closed doors, ours are cultivated out in the open for everyone to see. We are not beholden to stake-, share- or power-holders. We answer to no denominational figurehead; we are accountable to one another.
And we don’t operate this way for the fun of it even though it is incredibly fun. We operate this way because we believe it is the right thing to do. We believe in love over tradition. We believe that secrecy is trumped by honesty, and sectarian interest by community. We believe that the world is more cared for than owned, more of a resource to be tended to than a mere commodity to be sold. And we strongly believe in innovation that puts every follower of the way of Jesus front and center and squarely in the driver’s seat. But most importantly, we believe in you.
We believe that the world’s best churches are made possible by people just like you who give their time, talents, energy and support to the cause. And we believe that together, with this cause in mind, we can continue to innovate for benefit of the individual and the betterment of the world so that it always and forever serves the greater good. We are all followers of the Way. And we are not just a different kind of church, we are a church making a difference.
Does this describe the kind of church you find attractive? Why or why not?
How well does this description fit the congregation with which you are presently affiliated?