Stockton Idol
We made and showed a video Sunday, a parody of American Idol, to illustrate the comedic tragedy of operating in area of un-giftedness (yes, that is a made up word).
I was worried about the length of the video (13 minutes) – it was too long but I couldn’t cut anybody, I just couldn’t – people gave up 2 1/2 to 3 hours of a Saturday to make this video – I couldn’t choose one over the other.
My message was about 17 minutes so even with the 13 minute video I was still 15 minutes away from one of Greg’s shorter messages!
What I was not prepared for was the number of our church members who left in anger. Comments were made, while exiting, about how stupid this was - or how pointless it was.
The point of the video (which was clearly communicated) reinforced the message that God has given each of us certain, individual, specific gifts.
Just because we can’t sing as well as some one else does not mean our gift is a lesser gift.
Instead of comparing gifts and making subsequent value judgments we save the energy (of comparing) and dive in to the work God has for us.
The message was a call to discover, develop and deploy our unique gifts for the good of others and the glory of God.
So many people only care about their own well being and their own good.
I’m struck with the irony of 1 Corinthians 13 . . .
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always remains strong. Love never ends.
Unless of course you show a video . . .
Remember the guy at Nashville Zoe with the ladder? Wilson McNair. I had him come to Long Beach and never, ever lived down the ridicule from the people in my church family!
Okay, your sermon / video was 15 minutes shorter than anything I’ve ever preached. I wish I could say at least no one ever left one of my sermons in anger. But, alas, I can’t. Speaking of giftedness, mine seemed to be ticking people off and driving them away from Long Beach.
bravo to you for taking the risk; you can’t control how people respond, despite the best efforts of communication.
Perhaps next time you should draw pictures in the dirt. I understand that was pretty effective another time that was done.
First of all, I love your use of alliteration (“discover, develop, and deploy”). I am sorry that the “Idol” was met with anger and animosity. I hope you will keep the following in mind: most of us got the point of the video and its connection to the sermon, the elders were not opposed (in fact, 2 were in it), and it was a “hook” for the kids to listen to the message. There has been a lot of enthusiasm about our current 40 day campaign, and I think Satan tries to stir up dissenion when he doesn’t like what a body of believers is doing.
Don’t you dare move to playing defense. You play offense.
Persevere.
Hey, that was a great video and a good lesson. We should be more mindful of things that matter not how long the message is. Then again, I like worshipping with musical instruments, so what do I know?
It must have been a full moon in Churches of Christ this past week although our complaint came from someone who lives “several States away.”
#1 Rule of Church that we try to communicate as often as we can, “Its not about you.” Show the video and turn up the sound brother.
Graphiteman – you need to come hang out with us.