tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29606082.post8178813273611668487..comments2023-10-03T06:25:41.357-05:00Comments on Grace Roots Blog: Video Killed the Radio Star / Radio Ga GaJoel Bruesekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395847887953875757noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29606082.post-59211571022851332082008-07-07T13:59:00.000-05:002008-07-07T13:59:00.000-05:00Kathy,Your experience in the church that started o...Kathy,<BR/><BR/>Your experience in the church that started out simple, and then "grew" in several ways (and as you say, nothing wrong with that), but became more focused on having a polished image and all that other stuff, is a great example of what I'm getting at here. Not that I rejoice in finding great examples of bad things, of course. :) I just think that the whole 'polished' experience in churches today has caused people to lose focus on what it's really about.<BR/><BR/>I think your son is right on about American Idol. It's true of the whole music industry, even the Christian music industry... and as you say, it's what's become of many, many churches. It's become a beauty pageant, focused so much on the outward appearance but with very little substance on the inside.Joel Bruesekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10395847887953875757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29606082.post-55849949247112944992008-07-05T00:19:00.000-05:002008-07-05T00:19:00.000-05:00Joel--I think your analogy works well. Several ye...Joel--<BR/><BR/>I think your analogy works well. <BR/><BR/>Several years ago, after we had left a legalistic church, we found a wonderful little church that was everything we longed for: people who openly loved God, loved us, and who were willing to be vulnerable. Simple sharing and caring, encouraging one another in the grace of God in Christ.<BR/><BR/>Humanly speaking, that little church had nothing: no big attendance, a tiny run-down building, and a shoe-string budget. <BR/><BR/>Over time, attendance grew, giving increased, and a new facility built. Nothing wrong with any of that. But almost immediately, upon entering that new building, things changed. The new atmosphere 'required' a more 'polished' image in every area. Suits and ties replaced polo shirts and khakis. More structure, less 'folksy' participation from the people, and more control from the leadership. Lots of focus on 'outreach' and a general frowning on the 'airing of dirty laundry' by hurting members. There were budgets, programs and ministires to keep up. The 'church' was no longer there to meet the needs of the people, but the people were there to meet the neds of the 'church'.<BR/><BR/>We have since left that church, but remain close friends with a few people who were there from the beginning. Without exception, all of us miss the 'old days'. Any of us would trade the new 'video' age for good old 'radio'. <BR/><BR/>My teenage son, a musician, calls American Idol, "the beauty pageant". While those contestants obviously have talent, my son is astute enough to know that without a certain look, it doesn't matter how talented they are. I fear that our churches have become their own little beauty pageants, and in the process, have also become our own American Idols. <BR/><BR/>Kathy JAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08355508804152610609noreply@blogger.com