The Inefficient Gospel
Apr.09, 2009 in
Podcast Episodes
In the words of Phil Vischer (creator of Big Idea Productions – home of VeggieTales), many Christians view “impact” for the kingdom in similar ways that corporations and businesses view success in their companies. Bigger is better, and anything that’s not reaching thousands or millions is “inefficient”.
Continuing some of the thoughts in recent episodes regarding large ministries and leader-centered organizations, Ray and Steve discuss Phil Vischer’s thoughts and the lessons he learned through the collapse of his “big idea” and dream company.
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April 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
“Hee Haw” was big in the Midwest as well -_-.
April 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
You know at one point I was getting back into being involved in the “church”. I was going to a samll rented church that seemed to have a solid ministry and was growing. Then they bought some land and built a huge fancy church and instantly changed from meeting people to being an instituion with rules. I was told I couldn’t be involved (as in teaching or working) if I wasn’t a member which didn’t sit right with me, but I wasn’t as brutally honest then as I am now. So I said fine how do I join – even though I am offering my technical and other expertise for free I will jump through your stupid hoop. I was told to join I had to do the standard baptist (and this church isn’t babptist) thing where you HAVE to walk forward on a sunday morning in front of the church and then after this rediculous show I have to attentd – no joke – christianity 101 where they teach the basics of what “being a christian means.” So I said wait a damn minute – I grew up in the church, I have been under the label christian for 90% of my life, I could teach that class backwards and forwards in my sleep in another language, not to mention how this bullshit doesn’t make it anywhere in the bible or in Jesus’ life. And I got a patheic and sheepish yes. So I said screw it I not gonna dumb myself down – I am not “called” or “led” to follow man. I felt driven by God to participate and give you what I value most – my time, and you are so patheticly self involved that it can’t happen.
Anyway yes I do still get irritated by those situations mostly because I thought they were correct and right for so long, and I participatedin one way or another for much of my life. The pastor left the church within the year after that, I don’t really know what happened to the church but before the pastor left many people like me who were the willing developers in the church left because of this closed-mindedness, and now that pastor has started a tent shurch and is hitting up everyone in his email list. I saw his credentials now include “Planting and growing over 30 churches.” Yeah as in the corporate world that means you failed to do anything of real signifcance or meaning and you failed constantly. It is sad to see people ignore what would make them stronger and claim it as success.
October 9th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I love both of these, re: evangelism and discipleship:
“If I’m a ‘living epistle,’ that means when I live, the ‘Word of God’ goes forth. I don’t even have to say anything.”
“The only time you need methods is when you don’t have relationship…discipleship was all about them getting hold of that life that was in Jesus, and then…giving that life to others.”
Thanks, guys!!!!