Don't Mention the Name... Be the Name

If you watch much television you have probably seen the new McDonalds commercial featuring comedian Mindy Kaling.  At first viewing you might not even know that it is a commercial for the hamburger chain.  The sponsor is never actually mentioned.  The only indication that it is a McDonald commercial are the colors used; she is wearing a yellow dress on a red background. The point of the ad is that there is a place where Coke taste better than anyplace else.  Viewer are told to google the statement “that place where Coke taste so good” to find the answer; McDonalds.

McDonalds’ sales have declined in recent years.  Starbucks has passed them in sales.  A big reason is millennials do not frequent their restaurants.  The new commercials are aimed at millennials.  The actor, best known for the television series, The Mindy Project, is popular among young adults.  Millennials also use google when looking for information.  While they probably are not going to actually respond to the prompt to type in the question, they are intrigued by an ad that acknowledges google.

I have to wonder how churches might use the same approach: “Where is the one place where you will be loved and accepted for who you are?”  “Where can you go to find hope and security?”  The days when we can put out a sign or billboard to attract people of our church is quickly fading.  Even sending out bulk mail announcements inviting people to our services is going to show little results.  Simply having a website and Facebook page is not going to attract millennials.

My point is that perhaps each of us has the potential to be a walking, breathing commercial for the church.  When we exhibit a sense of hope and security in a troubled world we are a living testimonial to Jesus.  When we show grace and unconditional love toward the people we meet, we are promoting our Savior.  Standing on the street corner or even around the coffee pot at the office and talking about Jesus is not going to be real effective.  Today’s teens and young adults need to meet Jesus through us when we speak his message without using words.

Teens Still Like a Good Story

Teenagers still like a good story.  During my youth ministry day I could always get the kids to focus when I told them a good story. It also helped when there was some humor involved.  A recent study of members of Generation Z, today’s current children and teens, seems to indicate they are not different.  The study was done by U.S.-based AdReaction explored their attitudes toward advertising formats.  Fifty-six (56%) of those polled said an ad must tell a good story.  That was the number three response to humor (72%) and good music (58%).  Surprisingly, have a celebrity involved in the ad was not all that important (26%).

How does this apply to the church and our message, you might ask?  To start with we have a great story to tell.  It is story of God’s love expressed in Jesus Christ and message of love and grace he lived.  During this season of Easter it is a story of hope and eternal life.  It is a message we must live out every day.  We live in a world where people long for hope.  When we live confidently and expectantly in the midst of turmoil and change, we are being Easter people.  When we look at death itself as nothing to fear, we are Resurrection People.  When are directing that message at teens and young adults we probably need to make sure we include some wholesome humor and good music as well. 

I believe is also means telling our personal stories of how Jesus has impacted our lives.  We all have faith stories to tell and in the right format those narratives need to be related.  Within our circle of family and friends there can be numerous opportunities, but what about relating to those we do not know?  I sincerely believe we can share that story with them as well.  The story must first be told through our actions.  When we are open and express love and concern for them.   That might mean listening to their story, and in the process they might ask to hear ours.

Holy Week Reflections

With all my years in ministry, I have many memories of Holy Week.  This morning one particular one came to mind.  The church I was serving had a tradition of having seven midday Good Friday services based on the last words of Christ.  For three hours, beginning at noon, the pastor and I took turns leading the twenty minutes services.  People, both members and those from the community, drifted through.

 

One year as I concluded the last service, a young man approached me smiling.  “I made it through,” he announced.  I suddenly realized that he had been present at every service that I had led.  His commitment was to be present for the full three hours.  I was somewhat familiar with the young man who was both a husband and father.  The pastor and I had prayed for him and his family.  He owned his own business and the long hours had taken a toll on his personal life.  Nice house, fancy car and a marriage that was on the brink of collapse.  He and his wife were casual members, showing up once or twice a month.  I suspected his commitment to attend all seven Good Friday services was an attempt to turn things around.  Unfortunately, the young man was like man Christians.  In a time of trouble and turmoil, he cried out to the Lord and wanted to renew his commitment.  In this case, the commitment was short-lived and in time his marriage failed and we lost track of him and his wife. 

Holy Week is a sacred time, as we contemplate the cross and the price Jesus paid for our sins.  On Easter we celebrate the Resurrection victory and the eternal life we have gained.  But the observance of Holy Week is not a panacea for what trouble us and our world.  That only comes through an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ.  That is the message we must share with the world.  Every week should be a Holy Week, just as every day must be Holy Day.  Our ongoing relationship with Jesus is what should set us apart, in a good way I might add, from the rest of the world.  There should be no room for negativity and fear.  The cross is still sits on the hillside and the tomb is empty. 

Pass the Torch and celebrate Jesus with those you meet this week… especially with those millennials who might happen to stop by on Easter.

We All Want to be Fixers

We all want to be fixers.  If we have a problem around the house we analyze the situation and based on experience we develop a plan to fix it.  In certain situations we might even go online to search for a solution.  You can use Youtube to view instructions on almost anything.  At this point in my life I prefer another option.  I will call a professional to do the work for me.  It is usually worth the cost when I consider the time involved and the amount of ibuprofen it will take for me to recover.  With an older home, I have the plumber and electrician on speed dial.

Unfortunately we often want to want to treat people the same way we do home repair project.  We see the problem and immediately want to step in and help them fix it.  After all, we have lots of experience.  So when a friend or loved one is going through a difficult time we want to help them through it,  We offer our advice.  

It is the same thing with our kids.  When they have a problem or are going through a difficult time we want to step in a fix it.  I think it is important to know the difference being a manager and being a consultant.  Managers manage the affairs of others.  Consultants offer advice but only with certain conditions.  They always ask for permission before offering an opinion.  They then offer their insights and let the individual take the next step.  What the person does with the suggestion is their decision.  Also, consultants do not call up every other day and ask why they haven’t taken our wise counsel.

A couple of words of advice based on my experience based on my experience working with teen.  Giving advice breeds dependence.  The more we manage their life, the more they depend on us.  Secondly: who are they going to blame if the advice proves faulty.  In the long run we risk hurting a relationship by giving too much advice.

It can make life difficult and frustrating, especially if our kids are involved.  Ultimately we need to equip them to make the decisions and then set them free.  We can be consultants along the way, but ultimately they have to figure things out.  Along the way prayer helps.  We have to trust that God has them in the palm of His hand.