Comments on: McWorship: A Million Customers a Day http://goodtimes.anthonypackwood.com/blog/2007/03/30/mcworship-a-million-customers-a-day/ where my mind deposits its bits and pieces Sun, 20 May 2012 23:32:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Dave Baker http://goodtimes.anthonypackwood.com/blog/2007/03/30/mcworship-a-million-customers-a-day/#comment-251 Dave Baker Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:56:12 +0000 http://goodtimes.anthonypackwood.com/blog/2007/03/30/mcworship-a-million-customers-a-day/#comment-251 Although I agree with you for the most part, I would say that it was the "new" Christian music, that is not hymns, that really enabled me to finally connect with God. Without a doubt there is a lot of Mcworship music out there, largely, I think, because it has become profitable to a number of people. Ironically, probably not the musicians. But is was the similarity in style to the secular music I grew up with that made me really listen and connect. Anyway, there are certain worship (and secular) songs that just hit home with me. Sometimes it's the words, sometimes the tune, sometimes the beat that make it attractive to me. I may love a song, and someone else may hate it. But my point is that we can't really judge what will or won't touch someone. Church is the same. Numbers shouldn't matter, but when they do, is it because of slick packaging or a connection to God? The answer would depend on who one asked. I think that what people want is relevance. Is the church service style and content, including the music, relevant to them in their cultural context as well as their current emotional status and at whatever point they are in their Christian journey? I think this is why people shop for a church. Churches offer a product, in a wide variety of styles and expressions. The purpose and/or goal should always be the same (even though we know this isn't true) but the packaging is alwaya different. For example, Holy Trinity, with the new building and technology, is very attractive to a younger crowd. The Catherdral, seems to attract and older crowd who prefer the traditional and "old-fashioned" church. But both can be, and hopefully are, the real thing. Although I agree with you for the most part, I would say that it was the “new” Christian music, that is not hymns, that really enabled me to finally connect with God. Without a doubt there is a lot of Mcworship music out there, largely, I think, because it has become profitable to a number of people. Ironically, probably not the musicians. But is was the similarity in style to the secular music I grew up with that made me really listen and connect.

Anyway, there are certain worship (and secular) songs that just hit home with me. Sometimes it’s the words, sometimes the tune, sometimes the beat that make it attractive to me. I may love a song, and someone else may hate it. But my point is that we can’t really judge what will or won’t touch someone.

Church is the same. Numbers shouldn’t matter, but when they do, is it because of slick packaging or a connection to God? The answer would depend on who one asked. I think that what people want is relevance. Is the church service style and content, including the music, relevant to them in their cultural context as well as their current emotional status and at whatever point they are in their Christian journey?

I think this is why people shop for a church. Churches offer a product, in a wide variety of styles and expressions. The purpose and/or goal should always be the same (even though we know this isn’t true) but the packaging is alwaya different. For example, Holy Trinity, with the new building and technology, is very attractive to a younger crowd. The Catherdral, seems to attract and older crowd who prefer the traditional and “old-fashioned” church. But both can be, and hopefully are, the real thing.

]]> By: Anthony http://goodtimes.anthonypackwood.com/blog/2007/03/30/mcworship-a-million-customers-a-day/#comment-252 Anthony Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:06:17 +0000 http://goodtimes.anthonypackwood.com/blog/2007/03/30/mcworship-a-million-customers-a-day/#comment-252 Dave, I was thinking that as I was posting actually - the whole thing about how the artist is probably oblivious to what's going on. They are for the most part trying to write the best song they can write and in many cases I'm sure they aren't trying to write songs that sound like what's on the radio - at least not consciously. When I think about people shopping for a church I think about rural churches. In Calgary we have the resources to take our pick right? But what if St. Blahs is the only church withing 200 kms. Then what? As a consumer we'd just stop going, right - and I'd guess thats what happens a lot. I only wonder if it would be different if we weren't told all through our lives the whole "have it your way - right away" thing. Dave, I was thinking that as I was posting actually - the whole thing about how the artist is probably oblivious to what’s going on. They are for the most part trying to write the best song they can write and in many cases I’m sure they aren’t trying to write songs that sound like what’s on the radio - at least not consciously.

When I think about people shopping for a church I think about rural churches. In Calgary we have the resources to take our pick right? But what if St. Blahs is the only church withing 200 kms. Then what? As a consumer we’d just stop going, right - and I’d guess thats what happens a lot. I only wonder if it would be different if we weren’t told all through our lives the whole “have it your way - right away” thing.

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