What the Church Can Learn From Star Wars

Last updated on: December 18, 2015 at 6:00 am by Josh Daffern

What the Church Can Learn From Star Wars 2015-12-18T06:00:23-06:00 Josh Daffern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

www.pixabay.com

Don’t worry, no spoilers. I’m sitting down to write this 30 minutes after watching Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. I have no doubt that it will shatter all opening weekend box office records, and with good reason. Go watch it.

Like millions other kids, I grew up on Star Wars. I wanted to be a rebel like Han Solo; I wanted to be a hero like Luke Skywalker. The story of Star Wars helped define my generation. Like so many others, I was more than disappointed with the prequels. Perhaps it was too much hype, but I think the main culprit that worked against episodes 1-3 was the elevation of CGI and special effects at the expense of what truly drew people to Star Wars: the story.

It seemed like all of Episode II: Attack of the Clones was filmed in front of a green screen. George Lucas had leveraged his wealth and prestige from the first films to break new ground in the world of special effects, effects that he allowed to swallow the story in the prequels. As ‘neat’ as special effects might be, it couldn’t mask over the lack of a compelling narrative.

With the advent of Episode VII, a new day has dawned. With a new director and a new vision, hopes are incredibly high for J.J. Abrams to do what he did with the Star Trek series: revive a dead franchise. Once again, no spoilers, but I believe he met the expectations placed on him. What I didn’t see was an orgy of special effects. What I saw was a story, a return to the original characters, the ones we fell in love with: Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia (but where’s Luke? You’ll have to go watch to find out).

As a pastor always trying to redeem the best aspects of culture, here’s what I think the church can learn from Star Wars: what will draw people to Christianity (and the church) isn’t the special effects, it’s the story. As a pastor of a contemporary church, I’m constantly tempted to go down the “dark side” of more lights, better staging, better equipment, slicker videos. If we’re not careful, church services can become the equivalent of Episode II, a CGI bonanza with no depth. That’s not to say that traditional or orthodox approaches to church services have it any better. Many times those approaches are still driven by special effects, just outdated versions of it.

Whether it’s an orthodox, traditional or contemporary church, it’s not the special effects that will irresistibly draw and retain people. It’s our ability to clearly and compellingly tell the story of Jesus. Sometimes special effects can help illuminate the story, but it can never replace it. If you give me rented cafeteria with nothing but metal chairs and a bullhorn, but with a team that can compellingly communicate the story of Jesus, I’ll give you a thriving church.

If you’re a pastor, worship leader, or anyone else charged with leading a church, don’t get caught up in special effects. They’re nice but ultimately peripheral. Tell the story. Tell it well. Tell it with clarity. Tell it with passion. Tell it with depth. Tell the story, and the story will do the work. Success in the Star Wars world translates to the billions of dollars this single movie will generate. Success in the church world by telling the story of Jesus will translate to billions of eternal destinies changed.

It’s the story, not the special effects. It always has been, and it always will be.

Previous Post

December 16, 2015

7 Reasons Why You Should Give For You

Next Post

January 1, 2016 3 Keys to Making Your New Year's Resolutions Stick This Year

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Family Matters Ministry in the Trenches Morning Brew MTVpastor New Wineskins Top Menu Truth from Life Uncategorized Watch Sermons

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In what city was Jesus born?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Bethlehem Rome Jerusalem Nazareth