Comments on: How would Apple do church? http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/ Trying to be strategic. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:28:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: reyes-chow :: FAITH http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3724 reyes-chow :: FAITH Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:36:52 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3724 <strong>How would Apple do church?</strong> Tony Morgan posed this question as part of a brainstorming session . . .Let's pretend a company like Apple was committed to reaching people for Jesus. They, of course, are trying to reach the same people we're trying to reach. Only instead of iPods and... How would Apple do church?

Tony Morgan posed this question as part of a brainstorming session . . .Let’s pretend a company like Apple was committed to reaching people for Jesus. They, of course, are trying to reach the same people we’re trying to reach. Only instead of iPods and…

]]> By: Sean http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3723 Sean Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:20:43 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3723 This same idea seems to be what spawned the idea for the book "Simple Church." At least that';s what the introduction to it says. This same idea seems to be what spawned the idea for the book “Simple Church.” At least that’;s what the introduction to it says.

]]> By: Shaun Sells http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3722 Shaun Sells Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:38:20 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3722 quoted this article Here: http://simplemindedpreacher.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/apple-walmart-or-amway/ quoted this article Here:

http://simplemindedpreacher.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/apple-walmart-or-amway/

]]> By: Shawn Coons http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3721 Shawn Coons Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:22:54 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3721 Given the IPod and ITunes exclusive relationship, if Apple did church they would have nice, attractive, easy-to-use Bibles ...that only worked at their church. And you wouldn't be able to bring your Bible to the Apple church. You also wouldn't be able to contribute to the programs/structure/decisions at the Apple church because they would be afraid that a third party would step outside their carefully crafted experience. Sorry, for being a little snarky, but if there are positive things we can learn from great companies there are also negative things. Given the IPod and ITunes exclusive relationship, if Apple did church they would have nice, attractive, easy-to-use Bibles …that only worked at their church. And you wouldn’t be able to bring your Bible to the Apple church. You also wouldn’t be able to contribute to the programs/structure/decisions at the Apple church because they would be afraid that a third party would step outside their carefully crafted experience.

Sorry, for being a little snarky, but if there are positive things we can learn from great companies there are also negative things.

]]> By: Sam Daugherty http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3720 Sam Daugherty Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:07:01 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3720 Everyone keeps talking about how Apple is an "experience", but let's keep in mind that it's simply a product. You are correct in that Steve Jobs does not try to sell you a product, but you can guarantee that his marketing team sure tries. The difference is this: Apple also tries to sell an entire LIFESTYLE! That's why people camped outside of Apple stores for an overpriced phone when they could just go get one at the AT&T store. People HAD to buy it from Apple because they have a false sense of acceptance by owning something "apple". I think church should be the same way. Not the false-sense-of-security way, but in the fact that Christianity should be a lifestyle, not a product or event. Church should be about life-changing and relevant experiences. I don't know that Apple is particularly "relevant" but they've definitely made an impact. But my biggest thing is that it's a lifestyle, one that makes people feel accepted and engaged. I think church missed that mark. Everyone keeps talking about how Apple is an “experience”, but let’s keep in mind that it’s simply a product. You are correct in that Steve Jobs does not try to sell you a product, but you can guarantee that his marketing team sure tries.

The difference is this: Apple also tries to sell an entire LIFESTYLE! That’s why people camped outside of Apple stores for an overpriced phone when they could just go get one at the AT&T store. People HAD to buy it from Apple because they have a false sense of acceptance by owning something “apple”.

I think church should be the same way. Not the false-sense-of-security way, but in the fact that Christianity should be a lifestyle, not a product or event. Church should be about life-changing and relevant experiences. I don’t know that Apple is particularly “relevant” but they’ve definitely made an impact. But my biggest thing is that it’s a lifestyle, one that makes people feel accepted and engaged. I think church missed that mark.

]]> By: Mark Asbell http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3719 Mark Asbell Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:48:15 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3719 Hooked on websites 101 worked for me. I didn't notice that the name of the poster is below the line of the post above it... duh.. Apple wouldn't have confused me like that :) I wonder what kind of good ideas I'll get from the events of the weekend I have planned with my wife for our anniversary?? Hooked on websites 101 worked for me. I didn’t notice that the name of the poster is below the line of the post above it… duh..

Apple wouldn’t have confused me like that :)

I wonder what kind of good ideas I’ll get from the events of the weekend I have planned with my wife for our anniversary??

]]> By: Patricia Walker http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3718 Patricia Walker Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:17:57 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3718 If you want to get inspired about how innovative and creative numerous corporations and other entities have been in marketing or staying competitive in a world market, a fascinating and engaging book is The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman (HP is one of the companies profiled) Such reading certainly gets one thinking outside the box, which NS does quite well, thats why NS is a study in itself. What Joel said was right on target "Apple would re-invent the church experience and environment frequently - constantly evolving and expanding the the experience for the church goer. Also apple understands there need to be different experiences for different people". (Thats the crux of Friedmans book). Corporations that are not willing to adapt and change quickly will not make it in this market. Churches that are unwilling to tune into the thinking of this generation will not be able to reach it. Unfortunately we as humans tend to make the traditions holy and in the process our tradition whether they be church traditions or IBM traditions, they become more important than the people we want to serve. Jesus dealt with this, it isn't new. Patricia Walker (Newspringer) If you want to get inspired about how innovative and creative numerous corporations and other entities have been in marketing or staying competitive in a world market, a fascinating and engaging book is
The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman
(HP is one of the companies profiled)
Such reading certainly gets one thinking outside the box, which NS does quite well, thats why NS is a study in itself.
What Joel said was right on target
“Apple would re-invent the church experience and environment frequently – constantly evolving and expanding the the experience for the church goer. Also apple understands there need to be different experiences for different people”. (Thats the crux of Friedmans book). Corporations that are not willing to adapt and change quickly will not make it in this market. Churches that are unwilling to tune into the thinking of this generation will not be able to reach it. Unfortunately we as humans tend to make the traditions holy and in the process our tradition whether they be church traditions or IBM traditions, they become more important than the people we want to serve. Jesus dealt with this, it isn’t new.

Patricia Walker
(Newspringer)

]]> By: Mark Asbell http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3717 Mark Asbell Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:47:10 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3717 Something very wierd happend. My comment got posted with Fred McKinnon's name and somebody elses got posted with my name... Anyway, your question has really had me thinking all day long - even while I was at a product demonstration at one of HP's subsidiaries in Atlanta. The HP guys were really selling us on the vision of where HP is headed and thus it is a good time to be doing the business the company I work for is getting ready to do with them. I think NewSpring does an excellent job constantly reminding people the vision of the church and where God is taking us - just like good companies do. That's just good leadership in anything. I also like what Joel said about multi flavor - so true. Something very wierd happend. My comment got posted with Fred McKinnon’s name and somebody elses got posted with my name… Anyway, your question has really had me thinking all day long – even while I was at a product demonstration at one of HP’s subsidiaries in Atlanta. The HP guys were really selling us on the vision of where HP is headed and thus it is a good time to be doing the business the company I work for is getting ready to do with them. I think NewSpring does an excellent job constantly reminding people the vision of the church and where God is taking us – just like good companies do. That’s just good leadership in anything.
I also like what Joel said about multi flavor – so true.

]]> By: bobo http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3716 bobo Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:33:25 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3716 Apple has a decent product, simple to use, hefty price tag and hype'd experience. If Apple did church, it would be about experience without requiring much knowledge, probably a simple formula interface, and you pay to get in. Sure people jump on pleasurable experiences 'for a season', but then the credit card bill comes in and hurts. Though, like Lot's wife, they are unwilling to let go of it no matter how much it hurts. The hype is just hype, oh and here's a slightly different version you simply must have. Cha-Ching! Yes, Apple is innovative and can reach the masses, but they will make you pay for it. The iPod for instance, most other mp3 players have more features, with a slightly more difficult interfaces (thank you, patent office), and are lower priced, yet people still jump for the hype. In the early days of the MAC it developed a cult following. Now that cult priests are mainstream and the church is looking in wanting some of the action. That is good in one sense, but is scary in another. Do you smell compromise? The church needs to love the unlovely. Like the good Samaritan, get down in the ditch and pick up the stinking carcass of a bruised and broke(n) sinner whose had too much experience of the world. Don't be afraid to get dirty and spend time and money fixing other peoples hurts. (And, I don't mean buy a cry baby and iPod. (some starve while others get drunk)) Companies like Apple and Starbucks disgust me because they are all about fluff and charging big bucks for questionably better products. Then they turn around and support the amoral world the church claims to stand against. But, most, even in the church, don't think about what is really going on around them, or change their fat life styles if they do see any issues. They have been lulled into the bliss if being ignorant cattle, while their wallets are sucked out by overpriced products. Sorry, I can't afford to support that orphan, I need another coffee and my iTunes bill is over my credit limit. Apple has a decent product, simple to use, hefty price tag and hype’d experience.

If Apple did church, it would be about experience without requiring much knowledge, probably a simple formula interface, and you pay to get in. Sure people jump on pleasurable experiences ‘for a season’, but then the credit card bill comes in and hurts. Though, like Lot’s wife, they are unwilling to let go of it no matter how much it hurts. The hype is just hype, oh and here’s a slightly different version you simply must have. Cha-Ching!

Yes, Apple is innovative and can reach the masses, but they will make you pay for it. The iPod for instance, most other mp3 players have more features, with a slightly more difficult interfaces (thank you, patent office), and are lower priced, yet people still jump for the hype.

In the early days of the MAC it developed a cult following. Now that cult priests are mainstream and the church is looking in wanting some of the action. That is good in one sense, but is scary in another. Do you smell compromise?

The church needs to love the unlovely. Like the good Samaritan, get down in the ditch and pick up the stinking carcass of a bruised and broke(n) sinner whose had too much experience of the world. Don’t be afraid to get dirty and spend time and money fixing other peoples hurts. (And, I don’t mean buy a cry baby and iPod. (some starve while others get drunk))

Companies like Apple and Starbucks disgust me because they are all about fluff and charging big bucks for questionably better products. Then they turn around and support the amoral world the church claims to stand against. But, most, even in the church, don’t think about what is really going on around them, or change their fat life styles if they do see any issues. They have been lulled into the bliss if being ignorant cattle, while their wallets are sucked out by overpriced products. Sorry, I can’t afford to support that orphan, I need another coffee and my iTunes bill is over my credit limit.

]]> By: dusty Taylor http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/09/27/how-would-apple-do-church/#comment-3715 dusty Taylor Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:54:53 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1176#comment-3715 I've been thinking about the whole supply and demand thing lately. If I sell guitars (or computers or whatever), I typically have a low end guitar beginners can afford, the average models, that the serious players have and a high end product that professionals and/or the wealthy have. This is true of almost any store, restaurant, car dealership, or plastic surgery center. People with more money, get more product. Churches on the other hand play by a totally different set of rules. We have one service for everyone. If you visit our church on any given Sunday we're putting our best up on the stage. This causes a slew of issues across churches. How do I attract the high-end consumer, with a low end budget? How do I make Sunday morning feel like the apple store when I'm using antiquated equipment? So, the end result is, our churches tend to cater to a certain niche. Sure the poor guy is welcome in our church, until he realizes everyone else is wearing Armani suits. And we'd love the business owner in our country chapel, but what does he have in common with everyone else? He probably feels guilty driving up in a 90,000 dollar car. So from the time you start having services until you reach the 800 - 1000 mark you'll probably attract one type of person. It's like a cast system. If Apple were running a church, it would reach those living the top tax bracket. It would look glossy and yes it would be simple. Steve made a comment in his iPhone keynote about how tough it was to create apps that's looked so clean (my paraphrase). I think the same should be true of our churches. Keep the chords hidden, make it look professional and as shiny as possible. That's what apple would do. Jesus however, would wear sandals and put spit in people's eyes. I’ve been thinking about the whole supply and demand thing lately. If I sell guitars (or computers or whatever), I typically have a low end guitar beginners can afford, the average models, that the serious players have and a high end product that professionals and/or the wealthy have. This is true of almost any store, restaurant, car dealership, or plastic surgery center. People with more money, get more product.
Churches on the other hand play by a totally different set of rules. We have one service for everyone. If you visit our church on any given Sunday we’re putting our best up on the stage. This causes a slew of issues across churches. How do I attract the high-end consumer, with a low end budget? How do I make Sunday morning feel like the apple store when I’m using antiquated equipment?
So, the end result is, our churches tend to cater to a certain niche. Sure the poor guy is welcome in our church, until he realizes everyone else is wearing Armani suits. And we’d love the business owner in our country chapel, but what does he have in common with everyone else? He probably feels guilty driving up in a 90,000 dollar car. So from the time you start having services until you reach the 800 – 1000 mark you’ll probably attract one type of person. It’s like a cast system.
If Apple were running a church, it would reach those living the top tax bracket. It would look glossy and yes it would be simple. Steve made a comment in his iPhone keynote about how tough it was to create apps that’s looked so clean (my paraphrase). I think the same should be true of our churches. Keep the chords hidden, make it look professional and as shiny as possible. That’s what apple would do. Jesus however, would wear sandals and put spit in people’s eyes.

]]>