Posted by Jim Henderson on: 03.01.2006 /
From Comments # 36-38 Parkview Christian Church
Lynn
I realize that you originally misunderstood how long Hemant “sat through” the Parkview service and corrected your misunderstanding in the next post (which I appreciate) but your original comments do in fact reflect a view many Christians have of themselves and their churches.
So, I’m going to use your comments (# 36 )to “capture” how Christians “wish” they could be perceived by those who are “shopping” our “services”.
As long as the church continues to do business using Western consumer/cultural approaches and systems(buildings, events, stages, speakers etc) as far as Church outsiders are concerned we will continuie to be viewed as part of the larger “service industry”. And as say in Marketing 101 “Perception is reality”
We (Christians) may not like this but as long as we want to play the game this way we are open to critique and should in fact welcome it. (Of course, we could change our way of “doing business” 
How long Hemant spent at Parkview is irrelevant - It is not his job to “give Parkview a fair hearing” Off The Map hired Hemant and asked him to approach his visits with the same self serving eyes even Christians bring to the process when “church shopping” - What’s in it for me is THE question all human beings (Christians and Athiests) who are privleged? enough to live in a consumer culture bring to how they approach Church, Gas Stations or the nearest Mall.
As a consumer it’s not your job to make it easy on the service or product that is vying for your attention - it’s THEIR job. That’s why it is called “competition” which is essentially what churches do every week not only with the broader culture but with each other.
BTW - If Outreach Magazines rankings count for anything(and it is apparent from Parview Church’s website that they do) - I would say that Parkview Church is winning and should be proud that they are one of the (very very very few churches in the US) that are growing at all!
Comment by: TXatheist
1It is my opinion that is a fundamental part of Christianity. Easiest method or certain way to obtain “heaven” is why Christianity sells well depending on the person searching and a particular church.
Comment by: Brent
2Jim,
What are your suggestions for changing our way of “doing business?”
I’m reading your book, “aka Lost” right now so I understand your approach to evangelism. However your comments above are targeted at how the church functions when it gathers as a group for worship - and how that may be percieved by non-Christian guests.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
3Brent
Christians need to gather together to help each other grow. How often and in what configuration is up for grabs.
It would help if church functioned more like AA
Comment by: Rick L in TX
4Jim, you wrote It would help if church functioned more like AA .
It would be helpful to me if you could put some meat on that. The most dysfunctional church of which I was ever part was also the one that most tried to be like an AA meeting. (I guess AA groups like churches come in a lot of styles from healthy to unhealthy.)
Rick L in TX