Does The Apostolic Message Need Re-Packaging????

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

PM,

If the product itself is not enough, then we are in big trouble.

The problem as I see it is that there are too many false advertisers out there. Show me any church that resonates with the glory and power of God, and I will show you a church that is growing on a normal basis.

It is not OUR package that is supposed to draw them, but HIS Spirit, anyway.

Here is where I think KP is coming from:

Currently, we are not reaching the world with the Apostolic message. In fact, every day we're getting further and further behind as more people are being born than are being saved.

We need to package the Apostolic message using new technology that will allow us to reach the entire world. That current technology is TV and the internet!

[Defender]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

You are correct...sort of!

You can have the best product, but if the packaging is not attractive, you won't find new comsumers like you would if it had good packaging!

Packaging is all about expanding the consumer base! Current customers already know the product is good!

It is also true that in some cases the re packaging was so drastic the "current customers" couldn't recognise it. I think I am leaning toward leaving it alone.

[OP_Carl]

We may simply be forced to face the fact that this generation is going to be harder to reach. They have short attention spans, they have a self-absorption that has been cultivated in them their entire lifespan, they are often on psychotropic drugs that alter their perceptions and diminish their ability to tune in to the spirit world.

A larger percentage than ever before were raised by single mothers, and without any religious experience whatsover. They won't have a "culturally common" respect for the generic practice of Christianity. They won't respond favorably to male authority or a command and control structure. They will question everything, and will often be incapable of understanding the answers - whatever fraction of said answers they have sufficient attention span to hear fully - because logic, reason, and critical thinking have been replaced with emotion and herd psychology.

So, as you gear up for the new millenium, ask yourself if you've got a package for all that.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

We need to package the Apostolic message using new technology that will allow us to reach the entire world. That current technology is TV and the internet!

He has not changed "New Apostolic Church" then for 25 yrs.

Does anyone know what kind of attendance he has?

CC! said the church could seat 2400, and yet in 25 years, I would think that this would have changed to 250000 or more if it were TV alone.

The Early Church started in a city that on the Day of Pentecost was said to have between 50000 and 60000. 3000 on the first day is a good average.

I have to agree with Matt here that the problem is not the packaging, it is the product is stale from being underused and laying dormant.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

He has not changed "New Apostolic Church" then for 25 yrs.

Does anyone know what kind of attendance he has?

CC! said the church could seat 2400, and yet in 25 years, I would think that this would have changed to 250000 or more if it were TV alone.

The Early Church started in a city that on the Day of Pentecost was said to have between 50000 and 60000. 3000 on the first day is a good average.

I have to agree with Matt here that the problem is not the packaging, it is the product is stale from being underused and laying dormant.

I don't think attendance is neccessarily the barometer of successful evangelism. It is a major indicator, but many may be being reached with the message in nursing homes, prisons, or other cities, states and countries!

The technology is there to reach these people that we otherwise could never reach, so why don't we use it?

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

We may simply be forced to face the fact that this generation is going to be harder to reach. They have short attention spans, they have a self-absorption that has been cultivated in them their entire lifespan, they are often on psychotropic drugs that alter their perceptions and diminish their ability to tune in to the spirit world.

A larger percentage than ever before were raised by single mothers, and without any religious experience whatsover. They won't have a "culturally common" respect for the generic practice of Christianity. They won't respond favorably to male authority or a command and control structure. They will question everything, and will often be incapable of understanding the answers - whatever fraction of said answers they have sufficient attention span to hear fully - because logic, reason, and critical thinking have been replaced with emotion and herd psychology.

So, as you gear up for the new millenium, ask yourself if you've got a package for all that.

Someone of the new generation will adapt the Apostolic message to reach them! God has and will always have a people!

[RevDWW]

Maybe if we relied less on enticing words of mans wisdom and more on the demonstration and power we wouldn't have to worry about the "package", the product would sell itself.

What was Jesus' packaging? Did he dress in the world's finest?
Did He go for plastic surgery to enhance His appearance? Did he make sure He had the best lighting and music? Did he perform with grand theatrics? Did He have a great PR team and front men? What about advertising? What about the Church in the Book of Acts, did they have an awesome program with the finest scripted preaching and teaching?

All the best, brightest, most beautiful packaging can not substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost. If anything all generations are looking for something real, something of substance. They've seen all the hype and glitz and know what it is to have a product that doesn't match the flashy package.

What we need is the genuine love of Jesus living and breathing in our everyday life. A love that shows enough concern that we actually pray for the sick and are committed to helping those that are less fortunate then us.
Perhaps an emphasis on producing the fruit of the Spirit and acting with the gifts of the Spirit.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

Here is where I think KP is coming from:

Currently, we are not reaching the world with the Apostolic message. In fact, every day we're getting further and further behind as more people are being born than are being saved.

We need to package the Apostolic message using new technology that will allow us to reach the entire world. That current technology is TV and the internet!

I would be interested in knowing what the statistics are on those accually having TV and Internet in 3rd world countries. Can we really reach the entire world with technology??

Understand, I am not against it per say. I just think it will just be another bandaide for the real problem.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Maybe if we relied less on enticing words of mans wisdom and more on the demonstration and power we wouldn't have to worry about the "package", the product would sell itself.

What was Jesus' packaging? Did he dress in the world's finest?
Did He go for plastic surgery to enhance His appearance? Did he make sure He had the best lighting and music? Did he perform with grand theatrics? Did He have a great PR team and front men? What about advertising? What about the Church in the Book of Acts, did they have an awesome program with the finest scripted preaching and teaching?

All the best, brightest, most beautiful packaging can not substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost. If anything all generations are looking for something real, something of substance. They've seen all the hype and glitz and know what it is to have a product that doesn't match the flashy package.

What we need is the genuine love of Jesus living and breathing in our everyday life. A love that shows enough concern that we actually pray for the sick and are committed to helping those that are less fortunate then us.
Perhaps an emphasis on producing the fruit of the Spirit and acting with the gifts of the Spirit.

Good post!!!

[TalkLady]

If Jesus and the apostles were alive today, do you believe they would insist on maintaining the customs of 2000 years ago - with robes and sandals?

Jesus IS the package - show Him in your life and He's lifted up.

He said if I be lifted up, I'll draw all men to Me.

I'm saying....Lift Him up and not self and love one another, then you have a big part of the "package"...If you're talking about how the gospel is "delivered"...

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I was listening to Kenneth Phillips preach at the AWCF Conference, and he mentioned that it was time to re-package the Apostolic message.

I know that manufacturers of products upgrade their product packaging to reflect the current tastes and customs. For instance, Betty Crocker was changed from the 40's and 50's look into a more modern looking women.

As new ways to package items are invented, successful companies will try to upgrade their packaging. Colas and Ketchup used to always be packaged in glass bottles, but now they mostly use plastic packaging.

Is it time to re-package the Apostolic message?