Pop Goes the Church: Should the Church Engage Pop Culture?

by Tim Stevens

Whether you're a regular attender, a leader, or have yet to step foot in a church, you may have questions about church that aren't being answered. How can the church remain relevant while communicating the unchanging integrity of God's truth? Author Tim Stevens makes an inspiring case for leveraging pop culture to reach out to people in the language of their lives. He offers a new perspective that gives relevance and impact to the church by using pop culture meeting people in the real world with words, sounds and images that speak to them. He encourages us to get out of our comfort zones and look people in the eyes, meeting them wherever they are, relating to their problems and society's challenges--even celebrating pop culture, where there are exciting signs of spiritual seeking. Pop Goes the Church will open your mind to church in a way that breaks down walls, engages the culture and speaks to a generation that needs to hear good news.

Genres: Pop Culture, Church, Leadership, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Christopher Sumpter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wholeheartedly believe that this book comes from a godly heart and a right motivation. But I can't agree with where it takes us.

This book is five years old, but it reads like it's fifteen years old. It espouses a theory and practice that has long ago been tried and found wanting. The author worries that his examples will soon be outdated, but it's the whole philosophy underpinning his book that has become outdated. Even where his logic is sound (and it isn't always), it's built on faulty premises.

A central tenet of this book seems to be that Christianity is about what happens on Sunday morning in a church building. If we can just get people to come to church, they'll be okay. So how do we get them to church? Well, they must not be coming because they don't know that the pastor watches The Simpsons. So... if we show clips from The Simpsons, they will come to church, get saved, enter into a life of discipleship, impact their world and go to heaven.

Again, I think this comes from a right place but takes a wrong turn. I think Christianity happens on the block, in the office, at the baseball game, and at the barber shop. I don't believe people are longing for a place where they can hear live covers of Radiohead songs and watch clips of Die Hard the illustrate Biblical truth. They are looking for genuine people of integrity, living their faith day in and day out in the hard and easy places of life.

Church happens seven days a week. Making our services accessible and relevant does not have to be a bad thing, but putting our faith in (and spending our time, energy and money on) what happens in an hour on Sunday morning doesn't seem to be the way Jesus did things.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an great book explaining how churches can reach out to the unchurched. As I attend Granger Community Church in Indiana - it explains the 'why' behind the amazing church services. It ties in how the church should be more like Jesus Christ and speak to the masses in a language they understand - not 'church' language. While the book provides examples of churches following this approach - I would like to see other churches stepping up to reach these people and not just keep their flock content. Shake things up and get the Message out to the 60% of the population that does not know God.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will walk you the question, "Can and should the church today leverage popular media to communicate the message of the Bible?" If you've already decided the issue, it's probably not going to be too productive for you. However, if you, or people in your church, are grappling with the question, then it'll be a great tool for processing through it.

Incidentally, turn the the back of the book. You'll find my name listed in the "reviewers" section. woo hoo!

[Ryan Fisher]

Good book, with a lot of explanation and rationale for the methods. It also had a lot of good ideas and examples of churches leverage culture well. If you're on the fence about using pop culture this would be a great book to read, but most people probably either get it or they don't. Once you are a part of a church that does this well it is a lot harder to scoff at it or ever go back to being status quo. Pretty good book, better message.

[Ruth]

This is a great book about how churches can effectively use pop culture to bring the message of Jesus to the 'unchurched'. Going to church does not have to be boring. If the message is presented well it can and will show us how to deal with our everyday problems and struggles. Life is not easy but with practical help in today's language the word of God can help us get through this life on earth.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main takeaway I had from this book is that in order to effectively use pop culture in our churches our motivation needs to be being so passionate to reach lost people that we'll use any means necessary, especially finding pockets of truth in their cultures, to communicate the Gospel to them.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Stevens writes a good book on the presence of pop culture in the modern church. I look forward to more out of him.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for worship leaders and anyone in a position of influence In a church position