Starbucks in the narthex, muffins, bagels and cream cheese in the atrium, and popcorn during the service. Yep, I've seen them all. I'm talking about the lures many modern-day churches use to "woo worshipers" to their services. Actually, I thought I'd seen (or at least heard about) them all. And then I encountered a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal about a Jewish Synagogue in the Hamptons, called The Shul, which states, "after these Jewish prayer services, things come 'to life' at open bar. Its weekly service attracts anywhere from 500 to 800 people and according to the article, the "pricey libations" cost anywhere from $1,800 to $3,600 per week. According to Rabbi Sholom Lipskar, dwindling attendance led him and other rabbis to become creative by offering "sumptuous food, fine wines and liquors as a way to help draw congregants."
Let's face it, the church in America is dwindling and no denomination is immune from it. I see it in my own Catholic parish every Sunday. Many churches have played around with coffee and donuts after services, some started Breakfast Clubs and bringing in various guest speakers while they share a meal. Some churches have started pre or post service book clubs, cooking clubs, and even a spa-like atmosphere where one can get a mani-pedi. I'm not kidding. And I don't doubt that somewhere in this vast country is a church that boasts a giant Jumbotron behind the pastor that is tuned in to ESPN (hopefully muted) so that you don't have to miss your favorite sporting event.
I guess in this day and age we have to be innovative. It's never been an easy job to get people to sit still long enough to hear, really hear, the MESSAGE. We're a restless people with grumbling stomachs. We're easily distracted with shopping and to do lists in our heads. I don't imagine it was any different when Jesus was the guest speaker. He understood this well enough. He knew that people flocked to him for miraculous healings, inspired teachings and in a few cases, a free dinner. They were needy, and a little selfish back then and we as a human race haven't changed much in 2,000 years.
So I say a big, AMEN! If any of the above tactics can in anyway help spread the Good News, then it's a Good Thing, and it's quite possible that we might just have a little fun in the process. And no, Jesus was and is not opposed to fun.
