7
Mar
Check it. Came across this blog this morning. Apparently this guy is not exactly a fan of the HPC Experience? Take a look for yourself. What’s your opinion? Do you agree with him? Do you think it’s a little interesting that he works with “church branding”? Let’s hear it!
I left my two cents.
-Phill
Comment by Phillip LeBlanc — March 7, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
Josh,
I replied to Phill’s comment and saw your reference as well.
I am in no way bashing HPC and I know nothing of them. What I am questioning is the emphasis on conferences and how we might better use our time and money in our own community. I am sure that Healing Place is doing great things for the Kingdom and I praise God for that! Please read the post as it is intended and forgive me if it sounds like I meant to be harsh specifically towards HPC as that is not my intention.
As for the branding comment - there are days where I consider quiting because some churches have abused marketing to the point it disgusts me. My goal is to help churches tell His Story in a way that is accurate to their mission in their community and never for hype or showmanship.
Thanks for letting me share!
Comment by James Dalman — March 7, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
Mama says to ignore it!!! Not saying in anyway that he is right about HPC but we as good christians give our money to the church as an offering to God!!!! What the church does with it is thier problem, God will bless us for giving faithfully. Why he questions what the house of God does with that money anyway is beside me…sometimes I just don’t understand sometimes. You know?
Comment by Carly Shoemake — March 7, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
Carly, obviously you didn’t read my response or my post.
I will say this one last time - I am not questioning or calling out Healing Place Church. I merely listed several church conferences and provided my thoughts on why CHRISTIAN CONFERENCES can be harmful. My comment on the word “experience” also has nothing to do with your church but the use of the word as worship.
What the church does with their money IS their business but we ARE given instruction to use Scripture for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training. 2 Timothy 3:16. Paul’s letters also addressed issues in the church that is just as relevant in churches today as it was when he penned them.
In any case, I didn’t question the giving of money to the church but rather Christians paying exorbitant fees for conferences - funds that may be more beneficial if used for other things such as planting churches, feeding the homeless, or assisting a struggling mother working two jobs. Don’t you think Scripture addresses this?
Comment by James Dalman — March 7, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
Its just weird - like he talks about like media and design and gives advice to churches but doesn’t like conferences. The only thing I can see is the part about spending a ton of money - which i agree isn’t good.
Comment by Amy — March 7, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Amy,
I didn’t say that I dislike conferences, only that conferences have become very lucrative in Christianity and they can consume a lot of money and resources. I believe that some of this funding could be put to better use. That’s just my heartfelt opinion.
The other danger is that there are Christians that idolize some of the communicators and every word, every technique, and every method presented. This is not healthy. Not to mention what the Bible has to say about idolatry.
Yes, I do give branding, design, and media advice to churches but it is all for free. I provide a book to church planters that took me two years to complete for no cost. I do this because I love Jesus and I desire to see churches reach people in a way that culture can relate to. It’s my gift back to God.
Please forgive me if I have offended any of you at HPC due to my post. My intention is not casting stones at Healing Place but at the way the Christian industry is heading.
Comment by James Dalman — March 7, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
calm down calm down…its all gonna be ok…the world is still moving. No need to argue, agree to disagree. LOVE JP
jpbrumfield.com
and yes i will not add my opinion! ask me in person and i will let you know!
Comment by jpbrumfield — March 8, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Hey you know Trace Kaiser right?? That’s my brother. Wanna add me to your blogroll?? :) Thanks!!
Comment by Kaylee — March 8, 2008 @ 6:31 pm
Wow this is kind of like a newly formed chat room that just so happens to be Josh’s comment page. haha…sorry Josh :(
Comment by Carly Shoemake — March 9, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
haha poor josh. obviously, because we are all a part of HPC, we understand exactly why there is HPC experience. And the pastors who come in from all over the country LOVE it. It’s incredible to see how they learn so much about servant evangelism and outreach. but until other people step in and see it for themselves, then they won’t understand. the servant mentality we have at our church is extremely rare, even down to the staff serving each other… And about the cost… It’s only $99 for HPC Experience, which is 6 meals and outreach supplies and a serve shirt. so that’s not a ridiculous price anyway.
i think more churches need to unite with other churches and share their ideas that work at reaching the lost so we can make a bigger impact!!
Comment by sarah Andry — March 9, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
Bless him. He never had a chance.
Love you xx
Comment by aimee cait — March 10, 2008 @ 7:20 am
Maybe we should ask the writer the same question Craig Groeschel asked us 2 weeks ago - What 3 people are you asking to Easter this year that don’t normally attend church?
Comment by Aley — March 10, 2008 @ 11:53 am