"...so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."I noticed a new trend among mega-churches last year, and it really bothered me:
Window decals and the branding of church buildings and congregations like some commodity. Some church initials and logo plastered right next to a picture of an apple, and suddenly the body of Christ has been transformed from a bunch of people to a building and its "members."
At some point, some churches decided it would be a good idea to advertise via the window sticker. Whether they wanted a piece of that prime real estate so often reserved for politicians and elementary school honor rolls, or they wanted to boost numbers, or it was under the assumption that it was a good witnessing tool, I'm not sure. But whatever the reason, I have to wonder what that looks like to others, especially non-believers.
To me, it appears that one church, one congregation, is putting itself forward. It's like the pinkie toe is saying, "Hey, check me out! I have a bookstore and a coffee shop and exciting worship!" and has forgotten that it's really a very small completely dependent part of a much larger body.
But going to the verse I quoted at the top, I think that as a part of one body, one Church, it makes more sense advertise the whole thing (if I'm going to advertise at all), and perhaps highlight the pointless nature of this branding. So my project will be to get as many bumper stickers/window decals from as many churches as possible and put them all over my husband's car. [No worries, he's a willing participant.]
Side note: I'm thinking of printing up the above decal, but adding a verse to it - maybe Romans 12, maybe 1 Corinthians 12, maybe something else. I'd like your thoughts on that front as well.
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