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

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

To me, re-packaging means finding ways to make the Apostolic message more attractive to the newer generations. This could relate to music, audio-visual, and the use of new technology to promote the message.

Lets see, the initial package included...............

• healing the sick of diverse diseases
• casting out devils and freeing folks from their bondages
• performing miracles, signs, and wonders
• preaching brought conviction to the sinner

I am not sure that I see much of the above in the church anymore, so maybe we need to just get back to the original package. Coke lost millions when they tried their "New Coke" deal. The original worked, and still works. To many have just substituted the original for another package (program).


But what do I know, I am just one of the "gimme that old time religion that was good enough for Grampa and its good enough for me..." crowd.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Lets see, the initial package included...............

• healing the sick of diverse diseases
• casting out devils and freeing folks from their bondages
• performing miracles, signs, and wonders
• preaching brought conviction to the sinner

I am not sure that I see much of the above in the church anymore, so maybe we need to just get back to the original package. Coke lost millions when they tried their "New Coke" deal. The original worked, and still works. To many have just substituted the original for another package (program).


But what do I know, I am just one of the "gimme that old time religion that was good enough for Grampa and its good enough for me..." crowd.

What you are talking about is the product itself. We don't need to change the product. We need to change the packaging of the product!

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Lets see, the initial package included...............

• healing the sick of diverse diseases
• casting out devils and freeing folks from their bondages
• performing miracles, signs, and wonders
• preaching brought conviction to the sinner

I am not sure that I see much of the above in the church anymore, so maybe we need to just get back to the original package. Coke lost millions when they tried their "New Coke" deal. The original worked, and still works. To many have just substituted the original for another package (program).


But what do I know, I am just one of the "gimme that old time religion that was good enough for Grampa and its good enough for me..." crowd.

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.

[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!

[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?

[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 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!!!

[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.

[RevDWW]

Have you ever seen those in the third world waiting to receive food from the UN or some other agency? They don't care what it comes in, they just want something edible that will give life and nourish them for a few more days.

I had a man in a prison service last Thursday night tell me the felt something he'd never felt before and he wanted more of it. We baptized a young man a couple of weeks ago that received the Holy Ghost in the tank, and he told us that he'd never experienced anything like it. I can guarantee that the service packaging was not anything fancy or modern . But it was full of the Love of Jesus and that is what make the difference.