Jesus created parables – stories with spiritual meaning – to teach his audiences. Paul, the author of many of the letters that we now call “books” of the Bible, quoted mainstream poets and plays in his writings. Both used creative ways to teach regular people about a God who desires to know and to lead us.
On that note, every year Momentum discusses some of the most popular films that have been released over the last year. We ask, “What eternal truths can we learn from these popular stories? How can these movies be used as parables that move us forward to love God, love people, and serve the world?”
Invite your friends who are struggling to understand God…and all the movie-lovers you know!
September 13 – Taken
September 20 - Gran Torino
September 27 - Frost/Nixon
October 4 - Drag Me To Hell
October 11 - WALL-E
Join us every Sunday at 10a.m. at the Cinemark in Valley View, OH. Click the photo above for directions.
About me:
From the beginning, we want this to be very clear: Momentum is a church for people who hate going to church.
Some people don’t like church because it’s boring, irrelevant, full of hypocrites, and often led by greedy dudes who only care about your cash flow. And church is usually really boring, too. Did I mention that a lot of people hate church because it’s boring? I usually do.
I didn’t go to church too much when I was growing up. My grandfather took me to Sunday school occasionally when I was a kid. We didn’t go to the main church service because he disagreed with some of the stuff the preacher said. So I just went to “Sunday School”... and I hated it. I couldn’t imagine an hour being more boring. I hated-and to some degree, still hate-church.
My generation (people in their 20s & 30s) is very spiritually-inclined. Most of us want to know how to have a relationship with God, how we fit into His plans, and how to use our gifts and interests for His purposes. Nonetheless, about 85% of the people in my generation don’t go to church. Maybe it was the 13 years of Catholic school that did it. Maybe it was the stuff their Moms preached about but didn’t do. Maybe it was the crap their uncle did to them when they were in grade school. Or maybe they just never connected. Church always seemed lifeless, out-of-touch and (ironically) unspiritual.
I totally understand. That’s why we want to start a church for the 85%.
Recently, my wife, Shannon, and I started asking people who don’t go to church—”unchurched people,” if you will-over to our house to answer some questions over dessert: “Why do you think church sucks?” and “What would a church have to be like for you to even consider going?” Sometimes people get a fire in their eyes and say, “Oh yeah-I’d love to [bleepin’] tell you why I hate church!” The stuff they share (over fondue) is priceless information. I usually agree with every word that comes out of their mouths. But I also learn some new stuff that I wouldn’t have guessed on my own. Because of their honest answers, Momentum will be a better church… for people who hate going to church.
So, where have we landed? We believe that church should be about developing healthy relationships-with God and ourselves and each other. We think a church should be the “hands and feet of God” out in the community-serving the needs around us. A church should address topics that are relevant to our daily lives. The music-and other arts-should rock. And, if God is the source of joy (which He claims to be), church should be fun! We believe that church should be at least 63.3% more fun than anything else you could do on Sunday morning.†
Honestly, there are a lot of Christians who will visit Mo and be very uncomfortable with it. Too many of “our people” still own Led Zeppelin or Snoop Dogg albums, watch rated-R movies, and smell like cigarettes. I mean, those are the big issue in life, aren’t they? “Some of those Mo people ask questions about God and cuss in the same sentence!” Ya see, we don’t have a list of rules about how you should be living when you show up. Those lists are hard to distribute to people who don’t go to church (although many churches have tried). And, straight up-I’d rather scare away Cathy Christian and her virgin ears before I’d ever want to turn away someone who has never asked questions about God before. One of those people will leave and find another church. The other won’t.
I think Jesus would really like Momentum. The stuff we are teaching and discussing attracts people who are “real” and, simultaneously, turns away religious fakes. Jesus did the same thing. That was something that surprised me about him when I first started reading the Bible. He was trying to create a spiritual community that accepted and valued irreligious people. I don’t think I (or any of his followers) have a right to change that. That’s just my strong opinion, though. :-)
So, if you don’t like going to church, stopped going at some point in your life, or have successfully avoided going all of your life, this just might be the church for you: A church for people who hate going to church.
Peace,
Dan Smith
Lead Minister
† I recently wrote a comedy video called “Baby Got Book” (a parody of a Sir Mixalot song) that glorifies spiritually-minded females… and politely pokes fun at how cheesy the Christian sub-culture can be. This satire became so popular on the internet that it was on VH-1 earlier this year. “BGB” is a good example of the creativity and humor that we will use to engage all five senses every Sunday at Momentum.
THANKS FOR THE ADD AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!! PLEASE CHECK OUT YOUR WEBSITE AT www.thetrophiesofgrace.com WE LOVE TO WORK FOR OUR LORD !! IN BENIFITS OR WHERE EVER HE MAY SEND!! MAYBE WE CAN COME AND WORSHIP WITH YOU SOON!!!
I'm glad that I found your podcast. Hearing it makes me wish that I lived close enough to attend your services. In honor of your friendship here is a classic done with just a bit of southern style:
Great video! Better yet great message! It so awesome to hear all that you are doing for God and for the community! God Bless and we are keeping you all in our prayers!
I enjoyed the service I attended a few weeks back. It was priceless and so refreshing. Be apprehended and overtaken by the blessings of our God. Beautiful or Beauty Full ministry endeavor...
Hi Dan!
It's great knowing you're still out there doing what you do best! Please send a hug to Shannon for me in between chasin' around them toddlers that I heard about .......! ;o) Cheers, -K
I just wanted to let you know that I had a nightmare last night that involved two certain Mo leaders and a shower...Unfortunately, I think I'm going to relive that "Bye, bye, bye" video for a while.
![K-Skiff-To-Da-Max[B4B]](http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/5/s_6498ccb4e69e146c56ce596f578da767.jpg)
