Who should set your standards?
not you.
probably not your staff.
definitely not your artists.
most likely the most unlikely people that you would never choose.
the stay-at-home mom who does not watch the HD channels because she wants to use her whole 4×3 television.
the machinist who gets kinda weirded out when you sing worship songs about Jesus touching him and staring into his eyes and giving him a sloppy wet kiss.
the 14 year old who knows that what you think is cool is not cool as of 3pm because it was cool yesterday and would rather you just be you anyway than try and be cool because trying to be cool is so not cool.
the out of work single mom who just gave her tithe out of savings and has a slightly different standard on the budget process.
they are all in our churches.
they all would love to help.
I just wonder if I have the guts to ask them because I may not like the answers.
UPDATE: Just a note thanks to the feedback of a reader I thought I would point out that this is in regards to our techincal arts and graphics standards and not moral or Biblical standards. Those standards are set by God and unchangebale.
definitely not the Holy Spirit then. Should we let them decide the mission of the church while were at it? Maybe we should change from providing a place for man to worship God, discipling believers and evangelizing the world?
I certainly understand the sentiment, but when we have the Holy Spirit at our disposal, why go anywhere else. And yes I know the Holy Spirit uses people. I think too many times he is “the forgotton God” as Francis Chan recently wrote in his book.
joshua – obvious that you are not a frequent reader of my blog so I will give you a pass of grace…The point here is on standards of technical, graphics and audio visual equipment not spiritual standards.
Funny – because I am actually speaking at Seacoast on the Holy Spirit this weekend and reminding people that he is God.
Peace
Shawn
You are right, I am not a reader, but follow you on twitter. I just subscribed to read it. Thanks for the “grace” you are giving. It wasn’t clear or mentioned that you were asking about the standards of technical, graphics and audio visual equipment
Good point. I also find that hearing their feedback can require listening a little harder than normal. The feedback is there, but often offered in a more quiet and unpretentious way that if you’re not listening closely enough you will miss. I wonder what ways you and others have found for creating safe and constructive environments for these people to offer their feedback. Good food for thought Shawn.
I think it is very clear what you are saying, and correct. Jesus met people where they were at….Paul said he wanted to ‘be all things to all people, so as to win them to Christ’.
Great post.