I read this article about how public libraries are doing some unusual things to attract people. My initial thought to reading this was, "The church needs to take lessons from public libraries." I'll explain that thought, but first read the article. Click Here and you'll head over to the DFW CBS11tv.com website article.
I think we would all agree that libraries struggle these days. Although they provide some wonderful services and safe places to be, people haven't been going to libraries too often. I'm one of them. In fact, Laura and I would prefer Barnes and Noble where you have to buy the books!
Why? Well, I think B&N provides a completely different atmosphere. It's an atmosphere that is relaxed, open and inviting. They have comfortable chairs. Library doesn't. They have coffee. Library doesn't allow water in the door. They allow talking. Library does not. They have a dedicated children's reading and play area. A library is not known for this. They have a music and movie section as another option. A library does not. They are located where people tend to go. A library is often in some hidden area.
You see my point? We are drawn (right or wrong) to atmosphere and product. Let's face it, the church offers a product. It may be the greatest thing to offer, but we have trouble "selling" it. I don't want to make it seem like the love and truth of Jesus is simply a product, but in terms of how we offer it, I think we need to see it that way. How are we doing at getting our product out there? How are we doing allowing people to access it? How are we doing inviting others to experience it?
Barnes and Noble does a great job at all this. The library? Not so much. At least they use to be that way. As you read in that article, libraries are changing gears to get people involved in their "product." Libraries all across the country are doing lots of different, innovative things to make their services more known and attractive. Some are moving into malls. Some are changing their layouts. Some are offering simple attractive services on top of their core product. The result? People are going to the public library again!
Here is what I take away from this.
First, we as the church must be innovative. Creative. We have to set aside the preconceptions and walls we may be use to and think differently to allow our "product" to be exposed. What was useful in 1999 is no longer useful in 2010. It's just not. It's not the same world. The people have changed, their expectations and taste have changed. The works of 10 years, 20 years, 30 years can not and they will not work today. So, this requires creativity, thinking outside our boxes.
The question I would start off by asking is, "How can I appeal to those who don't know about us?" The libraries asked a similar question apparently. They realized they were dying. People were not paying attention, people were not participating, people were not using their product. So, they asked themselves the question to ultimately get their services out there. For many, their answer wasn't necessarily brand new, but it was innovative for the public library industry (I'm not sure if the public library is an industry, but you get my point).
"Hey. People are spending a whole lot of time at Barnes and Noble, but not here at the library."
"I know. We had to let 5 more employees go this month."
"We're dying."
"I know. But what can we do? We're the library."
"We have to change. We need to be attractive like Barnes and Noble."
"But we are the library."
"And if we are going to survive and thrive again, we have to adapt."
Secondly, we have to move. The church needs to get up off the pew, out from the Sunday morning mind-set and get moving. We could spend a lot of time right here, but simply put Jesus didn't sit and ask his disciples to sit. He moved and demanded they move to share God. What else are libraries doing? They are offering services that ultimately tell people, "Hey! This is great stuff here!" We can't sit around and think, "People will come. They have before and they'll do it again." The library was dying quickly from this line of thinking. A lot could be said of the church from this as well.
"We'll, we look different. Now what?"
"Nothing. That's all we need."
"Really? If we look different and are more attractive, shouldn't do something different or people will think we are the same boring place?"
"Like what?"
"Well, maybe we could do our children's reading times again. It's been a while since we had one."
"I like that idea. It would show people that we have some wonderful books and opportunities for kids to learn how to read. We could also do some tutoring for children."
"Great idea!"
Thirdly, we need to make it convenient. One of the most telling things from the library article is how the library knew they had a better offer than the paid bookstores. They are free, yet people would rather go pay for it than go to the library. Why? Convenience. We can not expect people to all the sudden jump to the core church member's commitment level after one visit. Commitment takes time along with some very real expectations. So, how is our best way to start that relationship with people so they can get to know the "product?" Convenience. We are all about convenience in our world. Online shopping. Drive-thrus. Delivery's to our doors. Are we making church convenient for extremely busy people and convenient for those who don't have the commitment you may have?
"What's wrong?"
"I think we have a problem."
"What?"
"We close to early. People like the convenience and ability to do things after work."
"You think we are not being accessible?"
"Exactly. We have to change our times to allow people who may not plan to be here the opportunity to stop by and see what's going on."
Innovation. Move. Convenience. These may not be things we have heard too often when it comes to church. We have to take a lesson from the libraries. We have to stop surviving and start thriving. We have to adapt ourselves to the world and people around us. We are followers of Christ, called to share with the "sick" and the "lost" and we can't very well do that if we stay stagnant and are just trying to keep our heads above water. We will never compromise our core values of Jesus Christ, but we need to get Him out there to those who wouldn't think twice about not being apart.
Let's provide it.
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