Hey on a lighter note watch this video clip. It’s been making the rounds on the internet but I think many of us have missed it.

BSB Two Chinese Students.

I’ve been reading the book “Understanding Theology and Popular Culture” by George Lynch. He make a great point about “Branding” that I think is worth thinking about. “Branding” encompasses the idea that when we buy an item we are buying more than a product, we are buying an experience. The best example of this I know is Starbucks. The $4 latte I love is probably worth closer to .89 but I pay the extra because I have been sold the idea that drinking from a Starbucks cup makes me appear cool, hip and intelligent.

I loved what Lynch says about branding on pg 63. He states that the FCUK brand, for example “conveys a sense of youthfulness, irreverence, overt sexuality, and cheeky humor. Unsurprisingly, it tends to attract a young customer-base of people who want to be associated with these values and attitudes, or older customers who still wish to identify with youthful attitudes.” Then he compares it to Alpha by saying that “the UK-based Alpha Course uses a range of advertising technniques to develop its brand image as an accessible and enjoyable introduction to the Christian faith”

Although I have concerns about the Alpha course as another thing that we try to get people to come to our church facility instead of going to them, I do think that Lynch is on to something here. The branding connection can be taken further in Church land as we think about some “churches” that have been branded and we know what they are about. “Willow Creek”, “Saddleback”, “Mars Hill”….. When we think of these places we tend to think of the “Brand” that goes along with them. Willow has the birth of “seeker Sensitive” Saddle Back is “Purpose Driven” Mars Hill is “Different and Young” (stretching a bit for that last one) These
places work well because they have the brand.

The problem as I see it though is that a lot of churches try to establish a “brand” without it really being thought out or a good reflection of who they actually are. The “Worship Wars” that happen in a lot of churches really are a waste of time argument because the church would be better served figuring out its identity. Once it has its identity solidified the “style” of the worship should just flow out of identity and purpose. My issue with a lot of churches is that they are often trying to remake themselves to attract different groups of people but that’s a lot like a 14 year old boy in a Tuxedo. He looks real nice
but he’s dying on the inside because he’s so uncomfortable.

So, that’s my thoughts.

Well I got a new computer yesterday. I’m going to be in the process of putting all of my data back onto it for a couple of days and then I’ll start posting again.

I’ve decided not to post for the rest of the week. As I look back everything that I’ve been writing has been a simple statment about my life. Nothing deep, theological or with much meaning or even worth reading. So, I’m on hiatus until after the weekend. Peace. Go do something else with your time.

This weekend I was accused of being a geek. I reflected on that for a second and realized it was probably true. So, I’m committed this week to only posting on theological issues. Of course I’m still a geek so maybe I’ll try to fit that in to. On a lighter note it’s been 85 degrees here and sunny. The water is warm and I surfed 3 times last week.

So its actually pretty simple to make this happen. Basically you need a couple pieces of software, a fast internet connection and some time. First you need to find the content. There are a few “Legal” shows that you can put on your video ipod now. Most of those come from the Itunes store and cost $1.99. Another way of getting content onto your video pod is by using bittorrent to find a tv show that you want to watch. For the sake of showing you how to Hypotheticaly use this I’ll just pick a show that you “could” download using bittorrent. Say you were a huge fan of “My name is Earl.” You could type that into google and find a bittorrent feed. After you have downloaded the episode you could open it using quicktime pro. Then assuming you have the right plugins for quicktime you can either watch it on your computer or export it to watch on your ipod. This is very easy with the new update to quicktime pro. After exporting (which take a while) you can then double click on it and it will be added to your itunes video library. Then plug in you video pod (which none of us have yet) and sync it. Then just watch.

Steve Jobs has control over me. I wish it wasn’t the case but the guy plays me like a harp. I was in the mall walking with someone a couple of months ago when we walked by the “Victoria Secret” store. I turned to them and said that store had no power over me because my lust is aimed in a different direction. I then pointed just down the way at the Apple store and the source of my sin. (Tongue in cheek).

Yesterday the IPOD Video was announced. Right now I am converting an episode of “My name is Earl” that I downloaded last nigt to the right format to play on the Ipod video. Granted I don’t have an Ipod video but I wanted to see what was possible. I’ll let you know how it goes. If this works I’m going to be stoked because 1. I need something else to waste time on 2. this will be a great thing for my boys to watch on roadtrips 3. I will continue my geekness.

By the way my computer is back at the Apple store getting fixed. Dropped it off yesterday.

So, the day is more sad now that I found out Apple wants to replace pretty much all the insides of my laptop. But, I decided not to do it yet. Going to wait a little while and see what happens with the new hardware announcement on the 12th. But. I’m still sad and reeling. I’m not sure how to break this one to my boss.

I fried my computer this weekend by dumping a full cup of water into the keyboard. I’m sad. Off to the Apple Store for repairs today.

Just got back from Joshua Tree National Park. I took my sons there for a short camping trip. They had a blast. Their goal was to climb everything in sight. We accomplished a good chunk of the goal. Ministry, School, Friends….. all important, but nothing was more important to me than hanging out with my boys. I pray every day that God will grow them up into amazing men.