Am I getting through?
I saw this article in the Washington Post, that details an experiment that I think has a lot of connections to ministry... The Post asked Joshua Bell, a Grammy award-winning violinist to play 6 classical pieces at a crowded metro stop during the busy morning commute. Now, this guy has played with incredible symphonies and recorded numerous albums making music on his violin. This isn't just some lame guy that can barley make music to to scrounge up enough change to buy a Big Mac, this guy has talent that goes beyond many people's imagination. But more amazing than his talent, is the fact that as he played for almost an hour, as thousands of people crossed his paths, no one stopped to listen, and few even tossed in a few coins.
As I read this story I thought about how we as pastors choose to communicate... The context of our message, as it relates to our audience, is the most important thing we focus on. If Joshua Bell was playing his violin in the San Fransisco Grand Symphony or at Julliard, he most likely would have received a standing ovation and huge applause. But instead he was pasted by by the hundreds...
Jesus modeled this to us, but for some reason, we have gotten lost of our communication and leadership model since the days of Jesus. Jesus was an incarnational teacher. Think about it, Jesus was God, and as such he had most likely more knowledge and wisdom than anyone out there today, although John MacArthur might dispute that, and he didnt use big SAT words and talk about deep theological concepts than made no impact int he life of those listening. Instead he talked about farming, fishing, and gathering water to teach eternal lessons, by putting them in the context of earthy situations. How did we get so lost from Jesus' mission, by trying to go "deep," and holding that value as more important that doing whatever it takes to connect the message to our audience and see lives changed!! Jesus broke it down for his listeners, and if it is good enough for Jesus...
If the nation's best violinists can play his best, deepest, most difficult pieces and not be heard, why are we wasting our time explaining deep doctrinal differences between pre-trib and post-trib and the eschatelogical implications of the Hebrew word imus, when people are dying without God and worse, living without hope and love for their friends. Without context, communicating the idea in an easily understood and easily applicable fashion, maybe we should pack up like Joshua Bell packed up his violin.
Bell explained, "I'm surprised at the number of people who don't pay attention at all, as if I'm invisible. Because you know what? I'm makin' a lot of noise!" Often we say, or at least think, if I just get louder, they will get it.... this is especially true for those of us who are Jr. High pastors, but maybe we need to work at making th idea more compelling... more inspiring... more (dare I say it.. yeah I will) entertaining! Jesus captivated thousands by speaking God's truth in a way that they could understand. By doing that he was communicating that God is not trying to be above or out of reach of anyone. Maybe we need to stop listening to our critics, who will always complain about not teaching deep enough; because when we discuss the "shallow," practical stuff, it makes them feel guilty for treating their family like crap or for being fully focused on their own self-promotion, and follow the model of our Savior and do wahtever it takes to reach those people who are busy and passing by at the speed of life. We need to create something so captivating that they will stop to listen...
As I read this story I thought about how we as pastors choose to communicate... The context of our message, as it relates to our audience, is the most important thing we focus on. If Joshua Bell was playing his violin in the San Fransisco Grand Symphony or at Julliard, he most likely would have received a standing ovation and huge applause. But instead he was pasted by by the hundreds...
Jesus modeled this to us, but for some reason, we have gotten lost of our communication and leadership model since the days of Jesus. Jesus was an incarnational teacher. Think about it, Jesus was God, and as such he had most likely more knowledge and wisdom than anyone out there today, although John MacArthur might dispute that, and he didnt use big SAT words and talk about deep theological concepts than made no impact int he life of those listening. Instead he talked about farming, fishing, and gathering water to teach eternal lessons, by putting them in the context of earthy situations. How did we get so lost from Jesus' mission, by trying to go "deep," and holding that value as more important that doing whatever it takes to connect the message to our audience and see lives changed!! Jesus broke it down for his listeners, and if it is good enough for Jesus...
If the nation's best violinists can play his best, deepest, most difficult pieces and not be heard, why are we wasting our time explaining deep doctrinal differences between pre-trib and post-trib and the eschatelogical implications of the Hebrew word imus, when people are dying without God and worse, living without hope and love for their friends. Without context, communicating the idea in an easily understood and easily applicable fashion, maybe we should pack up like Joshua Bell packed up his violin.
Bell explained, "I'm surprised at the number of people who don't pay attention at all, as if I'm invisible. Because you know what? I'm makin' a lot of noise!" Often we say, or at least think, if I just get louder, they will get it.... this is especially true for those of us who are Jr. High pastors, but maybe we need to work at making th idea more compelling... more inspiring... more (dare I say it.. yeah I will) entertaining! Jesus captivated thousands by speaking God's truth in a way that they could understand. By doing that he was communicating that God is not trying to be above or out of reach of anyone. Maybe we need to stop listening to our critics, who will always complain about not teaching deep enough; because when we discuss the "shallow," practical stuff, it makes them feel guilty for treating their family like crap or for being fully focused on their own self-promotion, and follow the model of our Savior and do wahtever it takes to reach those people who are busy and passing by at the speed of life. We need to create something so captivating that they will stop to listen...
posted by Kurt and Katie at
4:48 PM
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2 comments
