With the recent viral nature of North Point’s iBand that’s been going around on some of the biggest blogs on the planet (Gizmodo, Tuaw, MacStories, etc) it’s been a kind reminder about what the trolling internet thinks about ‘church’ and ‘christianity’ in general.
You can scan the comments and get some really choice responses:
And more to come for certain.
How Should We Respond?
Generally speaking the best response is no response.
This is neither a casual “turn the other cheek” nor is it a “forget-it-they-are-damned-anyway” type of mentality but rather one that is seasoned with the knowledge that you cannot simply change someone’s opinion online nor has it really been proven that you can defend the cause of Christ well in the comment layer of a blog.
I also have never heard of anyone bringing anyone to Christ by arguing them into submission on a website, at least not yet.
So what should we do? Listen and take note. Pray, and then if you feel like it’s absolutely necessary to say something I’d perhaps do one of these few things:
- Share with them cold, hard facts about the content. For example, the iPads were, in fact, “borrowed” and not used by the congregations tithe money. This is written in the sub-line on the YouTube video.
- Apologize on behalf of Christendom that they feel that way and then, if you feel so compelled, invite them to a conversation offline about it (or off the comment section at least). Perhaps even link them to your personal blog or Twitter.
- Appreciate the humor and candor of the internet (and the commentor) and acknowledge the wittiness of it all.
Do not attempt to defend Christ, the Church, or some theological stance in a website like those – it is a veritable hornet’s nest of doom and you will be put to shame (quickly, I might add).
The internet is just as lost as the people who jump in it everyday and engaging with it wisely is very important. Understanding that it “culturally” walks to a different drummer is also just as important.
Jim Gray says
good wisdom
Adam Shields says
I am not surprised by these responses. The church often deserves its many complaints. But I must say I am a bit irritated by the complaints from Christians that say this was a waste of time and effort. The general complaint seems to be that efforts toward fun are a waste. Which makes the complaints from non-Christians make much more sense.
Brian Notess says
I’ve always thought the LifeChurch.tv folks do a great job with this. Doing “church online” like they do draws a lot of criticism from everyone and not the respectful kind, but every time I see someone try to blow up a chat-room during one of their online services, I’m always blown away by the moderators’ ability to diffuse, speak truth, and have compassion.
Now if I could just do all those things.
Geek for Him says
It seems this is all directed at the “church” and not necessarily Christians.
I think it’s creative but shame on North Point if they were naive enough to think they would not get these responses.
David says
…Very well said indeed. For us to make disciple’s it take personal (face to face) relationship… we also shouldn’t be surprised by many of these comments… for years and years the media has always focused on the nutball churches and Christians so that’s the impression the would has come to believe about us.
It’s just sad that when a church is solid, strong doctrine and rational reason for why they believe what they do (Apologetics) the have to first deal with this stigma before they can even be heard.
But I digress 🙂
…anyway… KUDOS to North Point for doing what they do!
Justin says
You could do just about anything in the name of Christ and there’s people out there that will find some way to criticize it. However, in instances like this we should remember that we work for the favor of God and not of men.
Scott Cheatham says
I agree with your insights John. Answering these critics in the way you mention would not be wise. One thing I take from the comments you shared though was that these folks have some idea of what they think the church should be like. They are not totally aloof. Perhaps we as church members/pastors should let it roll off our backs while at the same time looking for the nugget of truth in their complaints. Are people being saved as a result of our ministry? Are we truly serving the least of these as Jesus did or are we pseudo Christians serving as it fits us? As a pastor I’m finding that the public has a definite notion about the church and many of the negative connotations aren’t so far removed from what is the actual truth.
Andre Barnes says
John since I have been a developer, I tell people sometimes that I get criticize more for being a Christian than me being black(not that this one is often but you get the point). The comments that were said goes to show how much work the church as a whole has to do to get more people into a relationship with Christ.
KC Clark says
Great word on how to respond. Thanks for the insight and encouragement to still live offline and engage online with wisdom, tact and grace . . .
Peace John
Don says
Let’s not make their comments into something more than they actually are. I don’t see them as being critical of “Christians” and the “church” in general, but more specifically this activity and this church. Instead of trying to decide if the action should be defended, maybe we should be looking at the reasons why it may not have achieved it’s intended results.
Tom Jamieson says
well said, John. well said.
Jon Greenhill says
Great post with good wisdom. I have to be honest, i thought it was pretty creative and it probably took a lot of work and effort to get it down. But you will always have critics.
Rodlie says
When I read some of those comments It honestly hurt me a little. I can tell how much work they put into that set, to make something engaging, uplifting, and fun, and some people just bash it. Ahh…what can be done? Yeah, I think like you mention there’s a certain level of defense that can be given (like that they were borrowed), but I guess beyond that not much. All I know is that so many hated Christ. I suppose I need to remind myself of that if people hate me too for what I do (preaching Christ).
BenJPickett says
It’s not hating Christ (at least in these comments) it’s hating what they feel the Church has done to them. Some of them have been to church (willingly or forced) and been bored, taken on guilt trips for everything that they have done, told that they are horrible people, told they are going to Hell and a host of other things. The message that they have been given is not of love, it is not the message of Christ and because they haven’t seen anything else they are under the assumption that all churches and church goers are that way. This video of North Point doesn’t change that image.
As Christian, it is our job to respond to this in a Christ like manner. We can be sad, sympathetic and empathetic but we can’t be deterred and derailed by this. Maybe it is a chance to look at ourselves and improve our delivery of the message and ask for real, honest and intentional criticism of us from those closest to us and those receiving our message.
Rodlie says
That’s true. People may have had bad experiences in church and all that. But there’s no need to just be so negative about a quality program. It just kind of seems that if this set were done anywhere else, a lot of those haters would be applauding it, but because it was done in a church, it gave them reason to criticize something that perhaps they wouldn’t have dogged if done in a different context.
And besides, how could someone say they love Christ, but hate his bride (the church)? I know that many have that disconnect and can live perfectly with that incongruity, but theologically it doesn’t make any sense.
Bill Buchanan says
If they opened one of the Apple “Release” parties with these guys playing Christmas tunes on iPads and iPhones. . . the crowd would have gone wild just like the crowd in the audience here did.
The “church” setting is why people are pissed off and I fear that they would be pissed off no matter what . . .
John Saddington says
love this perspective.