interesting comparison. Coffee is the second-most trading commodity in the world. But starbucks doesn’t thrive because they sell coffee. They thrive becuase they sell a pleasing environment in which to purchase good coffee.

interesting little coincidence, perhaps the church: We have a message (which is the same as it’s always been), but we market because we “package” and “present” the timeless, changeless message in a ‘pleasing’ way.

cool! i hadn’t thought of this comparison prior!

Todd, creativity in one’s theology is not creativity. it’s heresy. that is definitely not what is meant by creative. The church should be the most creative place, meaning, we become like a child and think ‘outside the box’.

Jeremiah, can you give me biblical examples of the early church not competing in the world’s market? Jesus did the majority of his teaching outside the walls of a synagogue. (and interestingly, if you look at it, it was the church-goers who were so steeped in tradition they weren’t interested in what he had to say!)

He should be our inspiration.

But, Todd, I agree with you that some things shouldn’t be left to creativity, like interpreting what God said.

I guess I would need to know what exactly is meant by “creative”.

But I agree with point #2 completely.

The first is, statements one and two are true, unless the Holy Spirit leads us differently. For instance, if I do all of the demographic research and come up with a plan on how to reach a specific group of people, and the Holy Spirit leads me to use a different approach or tactic, one that is contrary to my research, I need to swallow my pride and follow the Holy Spirit. His leading supersedes everything, provided that it lines up with scripture, and if it’s really Him, it will. Maybe a fourth belief stating the role of the Holy Spirit would bring the others into balance.

My second concern is that I don’t think the church is called to compete in the middle of the marketplace. We are not a business. We are not trying to make a profit. We are trying to reach the lost, that is not a job or a business, it’s a lifestyle, a passion, and a calling. Quite frankly, I’m tired of pastors and church leaders reaching the lost because it’s their job. It’s not their job, it’s the heart of God, and the closer they get to Him, the more it should be happening as a natural outgrowth of their relationship with Him.

As it is currently stated, I don’t agree with point three.