I’m not a Jim Carrey fan so for me to ask if you have ever watched one of his movies is totally out of my “like” zone. But have you ever seen The Truman Show? Diana (the church’s office manager) and Ryan (the Youth Pastor) were talking about it once, plus I was working on sermon material which made reference to it, so I decided to buy it.
I was surprised how much I liked it. Not that it was a riveting action, shoot-’em-up-blow-’em-up kind of movie. I tend to like those kind. But the premise was an interesting one.
{Spoiler Alert: if you have never seen it-but hope to-skip this next paragraph}. Carrey plays Truman who unbeknownst to him has been on TV and his whole life from birth has been broadcasted to millions of viewers. To make a long story short, he finds glitches in the system which alert him to the sameness…to routine. Day after day everything is the same. Come to find out it is all just a giant movie studio.
But he tires of the routine. Same job. Same people. Same everything.
Sort of like many churches.
Change the order of service. Watch what happens.
Change the style of music. Watch what happens.
Change the dress. Watch what happens.
Change the teaching material. Watch what happens.
Many churches cling desperately to routine. Diversion…life change…is not in many vocabularies. But shaking things up a little can do wonders in getting people out of the doldrums. Here is what I wrote in my journal:
Diversion leads to growth. Prolonged routine can lead to stagnation. I like diversion. I get bored with routine. It soon becomes a rut, then gets cast in stone.
Break out! Get out of the rut! Live the adventure!!
This post is part of my ongoing random posts inspired by this book:
I can only say that I agree with you. This is something that does not just apply to the church, but to how we should approach our lives. So, what I am going to do about it?
Good question Daniel. What it comes down to in the long run anyway.
One of the things I love about my church is that no service is ever alike. It may be a something small, like when the offering is done. Or it could be our pastor preaching from the back of the building and everyone flipping their chairs around. Some of it is superficial, but it keeps us on our toes.
Hmmmm a church living a “change mentality.”
Change the definition of marriage. Watch what happens. Very interesting.
yep watch what happens. Can anyone say downfall?
I am maybe more optimistic but either way I will enjoy watching it unfold. Real life if far more interesting than anything Hollyweird has to offer.
Having attended a liturgical church for many years, I will have to say that the routine sameness dulled my relationship with God. Now that I’m part of a contemporary service, where the songs and the message changes up often, it has breathed new life into my spiritual journey. And as Daniel said above, the need for change should not just be limited to the church, but should influence our daily lives, too.
Blessings, Bill!
i agree Martha. it dulls the relationship. i also agree with Daniel.
Routine can definitely lead to stagnation. I’m not much for the same thing week in and week out. Sometimes we need a little shaking to wake us up to what we need to be doing. Good point, Bill!
You hit it Mike. Sometimes we need a little shaking up. maybe this new ruling will help do that.
Good call, Bill. Jesus mixed it up… I guess if it’s good enough for God…
If it good enough for Jesus then its good enough for me. 🙂
I’m very excited by new and adventure, but I always have to remind myself that many others aren’t that way. It takes time to move them and see change come. For myself, I like to change things up often. It stimulates creativity and different perspectives. Good thoughts, Bill! Thanks.