We are going to be 1 church with 5 locations. It looks like the first 3 will definitely be movie theaters. We are blessed to have a GREAT relationship with our first theater The Muvico at Coconut Point. But those of us who are doing church in a theater need to always be looking at everything through the eyes of those people attending. Here are some quick thoughts about one pastor's experiences going to a church in a movie theater....
* Driving in I wondered...will there by anyone there like me? (demographically speaking) I often forget that it's a big deal for someone to get the courage to visit my church the first time.
* Greeters in the parking lot would be a good thing....it would be nice to see a friendly face early on. I wasn't quite sure where to go until I got inside the building...this is critical for churches meeting in public spaces.
* Greeters need accurate information-I asked the guy standing by the table in the lobby which Theater they were meeting in...he told me one number...the lady waiting for her friends to arrive another....he was only off by one but that left an impression.
* I met the Pastor at the door to the theater...he was a nice guy...asked me the right questions...I didn't want to blow my cover as a pastor at another church.
* Critical mass is critical-the meeting space was big, bright and fairly empty...I don't mind this when I'm going to see a movie but when I'm visiting a church..I'm wondering why there are only a few people there. I counted just over 20 when the service began...including 4 band members, the Pastor, a tech guy and a sound guy. Thankfully at the close of the service there were around 40-50.
* Worship Leader Talk-I appreciate a well placed brief word or comment but felt a little awkward with all the talk between songs.
* Sing less...sit more-we ran through 5-6 songs...I was ready to sit down after the third song..I don't mind standing or singing more at a Passion Conference but I didn't see Charlie Hall there today.
* Technical Distractions-I want to sing along but I can't if the words on the screen are two slides late or not up at all. It's difficult enough to gather the courage to sing in a room filled with just a few people with the lights up full blast.
* Let me know what's coming-producers know that a tease, showing what's coming up after the commercial break, keeps viewers attention. I was never a fan of the blow by blow "order of service" but something general helping me understand what to expect would have increased my comfort level.
* The meet and greet-I wanted to attend and be anonymous but had that taken away from me with the ever common and often promoted, meet and greet. I am an Extrovert but I wanted to hang back a while...making a decision about whether or not to introduce myself to anyone after the service. I say this in all kindness....it's likely that people who think the meet and greet is a good thing are those who already feel comfortable in the church or have boundary issues.
* Babies in the service-The Granger guys have said; "Big Church is for Big People." I couldn't agree more...I was glad to see however that other churches are facing the issue of little ones in the service. I think the answer to this lies in part on the shoulders of leadership. Something we are doing or not doing, providing or not providing is leading Parents to make the decision that it's better to bring baby with them.
* Goofy ain't Good-nothing personal but we were asked to do something goofy...for an illustration we were asked to change seats, not just move one or two over but move to a completely new section...then face the back staring at the tech guy while the pastor taught...I got the point but felt bad for the tech guy...and didn't like the fact that I had just lost my seat on the end of the row by the exit.
* Save the Greek for the Mall and Seminary-I spent a lot of time and money on my education part of which involved learning biblical Greek...the average Sunday morning Joe six pack guy doesn't care much about funny words he'll only hear in church. The only Greek he's familiar with are Gyros and Sorority girls from the University. One point included two Greek words from the passage being taught...not bad but they were repeated so often that if I had a nickel for each time they were said I could fund the Publishers Clearing House giveaway this year.
* The offering-this may not have been so bad if the place were packed but we did the row by row pass the bucket deal. I didn't want to do two things....feel put on the spot to give(even though the pastor made the disclaimer that guests weren't expected to) or feel pressure to drop my response card in. I kept looking straight ahead as the guy approached with the ice cream pale....I was the only one in my row.
* Close with clarity-there were too many options....stay for prayer....stay to sing....stay to be in the presence of God....pick one and go with it....leaving made me feel a little awkward like I wasn't being spiritual or something for hanging around. Plus...if we all leave at the same time I'm likely to meet someone, staff, attender or volunteer and interact. This way with everyone doing one of three or four things...the service ended with little opportunity for interaction.
I believe that having services in a Theater can be a great thing....but how you do what you do as a church matters tons more than where you meet.
Did you come to my church? :) After reading your thoughts, I realize that we still have a lot to work on! Thanks for bringing these things to my attention!
Hope things are going well for you, Henry!
Posted by: Jason Sheffstall | August 02, 2007 at 08:23 AM