3 things the church can learn from Black Friday
I don’t take part in Black Friday. In fact it makes me sad to watch people literally fight over objects under the umbrella of Christmas. But I think we might be able to learn a thing or two about this event.
1. Black Friday works because of perception. Hundreds of people flood one store because think they are going to save $500 on a TV. Of course there are only 20 of them, but the perception remains. What are people’s perception of Sunday morning at your church? Do they expect to be one of those 20 lives that will be changed or is it just business as usual.
2. People prepare when they now there is something in it for them. Ads are leaked, maps are charted out. When people see church as not simple something that has to be done, but instead of something that adds to and changes their lives…people will begin to prepare for it. Encourage participation, encourage prayer and reflection through the week.
3. When it becomes all about us, we forget what IT is. Don’t let programs and hype get in the way of what’s most important. Don’t let a marketing package shadow changed lives and instead let it become the light showing them the way.
I’m sure I’m missing others…what else can the church learn from Black Friday?
Tags: black friday, church, learn
I am with you. I stay home on Black Friday. Not just because waking up early on a day is off is just wrong but for the fact although there is Christmas music playing, people don’t have a ton of holiday spirit. For some, what started out as getting the perfect gift for that someone special, has become a competition, greed and down right selfishness. “I become really angry by noon time” said one of my friends – but that didn’t stop her from hitting up Starbucks and rolling on. This isn’t a grip session, the lesson that we can also learn is that if the spirit isn’t in the action it becomes vain. There is a passage of scripture that nags me, “work unto the Lord, not unto men.” Colossians 3:23. I wonder on Friday morning, in the chill of Michigan, after standing in long lines and then rushing into the stores, pushing and shoving, how many are doing this for the big man upstairs.