The world of business and marketing have a lot of valuable knowledge to offer Christians that can help build and run churches effectively. But sometimes it seems like this pursuit loses sight of the true mission of the church, as this AP article points out:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As the Podesta family traveled from Kentucky to Maine on vacation last summer, they stopped every Sunday and Wednesday at their favorite national franchise: Evergreen Christian Center.
"It was like we never left home," says Albert Podesta, 38.
For 12 years Evergreen Christian Center was just another mega-church in Tennessee. Then the church radically changed its ministry approach. It began franchising itself. The franchise scheme was cooked up by several retired CEOs who landed on the church board at the same time.
"They asked for our input, so we didn't hold back," says one.
In 2001 Evergreen began gobbling up churches across the nation and turning them into Evergreen clones, with identical features, down to the doorknobs, ushers' jackets and sermons. Even the pulpits and Sunday school rooms are the same.
"We're like Burger King or Subway — a solid, trustworthy business," says Evergreen brand manager Stefan Borcht.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
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6 comments:
Man! Have I been living in a cave? I LIVE in Knoxville and I'd never heard of this.
The only "Evergreen" we show in the Knoxville directory is a Presbyterian Church. Now, that's strange... You'd think they'd at least have a telephone...
Betty
So, that is a joke? If you put "Willow Creek" in there, you might not be far from the truth. And they make no apology for their use of corporate wisdom.
Whew, am I glad of that. In 1992 or 93, we were fighting a theme park development "tooth and nail" (we live on a 65 acre farm and was all that was standing in the way...)
Our church stands at the end of our property. The developers even contacted our DS about buying the church - and they (the district) supported it! If something like this really came about and they wanted our church, we wouldn't stand a chance!
Betty
Okay, it's a funny parody. But. . .
1. Willow Creek's mission statement is to turn "irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." Sounds pretty biblical to me.
2. They have a strong Evangelism Conference (I've been).
3. They have compelling, joyful, biblically-based worship (I've been).
4. The UM church continues to lose members.
I'm not suggesting that we all turn our congregations into McChurches, but do we have to keep taking potshots at the megachurch? If you've been to one of 'em and still don't like them, let me know why. I'm curious------
Mark, I've been to Willow Creek too. I think they're great and God has used them in wonderful ways to bless many. I'm just saying that Bill Hybels loves business speak and business principles. Sorry I sounded like I was taking a potshot earlier. No harm intended
The UMC isn't losing members around here -- we've grown. Of course, we also have many many baby megachurches in Atlanta (UMC ones, that is (OK, 16 of them)) and at least 5 that qualify as Megachurches. 50 that have more than 500 in attendance.
Why is the UMC sucessful here? Good question. I know we are a very outward-looking church, as compared to a "Chapel" mentality. We stress the Methodist stuff: Prayers, Presence, Gifts and Service. We teach how to Pray, how to Study and how to Serve. Our worship is lively and filled with the Spirit.
And Calvary Chapel is *exactly* what you are describing. As is Salem Bible church -- telecast of sermons to a big screen, identical church buildings, even color schemes are the same. It's been done.
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