The story of 'Living Room' an emerging Melbourne church & other Miscellaneous rants
Home | About Me | About LR | Archives | Photolog | Contact | Counter
Ok...this post could be the end of what is left of my rep... give me a chance ok?
The last couple of Monday nights I've found myself home and in front of the TV. For some reason I've been watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy which is in its first season here in Australia. For those who haven't watched its basically about five gay guys (the fab 5) who spend a day giving a straight guy (with no 'style') a make over. They usually give his apartment a renovation, update his wardrobe, give him a hair cut, teach him to cook a dish and help him with some social or relational skill.
I've heard a lot of people here complaining about the show on talk back radio. Some are Christians ringing up to share their moral views, others are average Joe conservative Aussies who don't want their kids to see it and others just think its dumb.
I don't think its the most amazing show on TV at the moment - I find the stars of the show mildly amusing - I'm a bit over all the sexual innuendo already (I can't imagine how they will keep finding suggestive gay jokes for a whole season) - it is all a bit superficial at times - but I will admit I've learnt one or two things about what's lacking in my wardrobe!
But the thing that caught my attention the most was a statement made in the first week by one of the stars. To paraphrase him he said:
'We just want to help this guy reach his potential.... to be the man he has the potential to be.'
It strikes me that although he went about it very differently, Jesus actually spoke of something very similar when he said 'I've come that they may have life'. (Jn 10:10) As I look at his ministry this is what he did - he drew people into life itself. Sometimes he does it in a very quick yet tangible way as he touches someone who has been lame for life and other times he lives with them for years, challenging attitudes, teaching and encouraging them to grow.
Jesus was on about helping people to reach their potential. His make over was generally a lot more comprehensive than the fab 5, but he was in the life giving business and as his Body so should we be.
Posted by Darren at October 8, 2003 07:53 PM | TrackBackOoooooh --- walking a tight rope on this one dude!
But I will say this...your thoughts on Jesus and the church: RIGHT ON POINT! That's where he was; that's where we need to be.
But is that what we are doing? Is that what we really are focused on? I am beginning to wonder if we are really focused on anything. In a world of voices, the church is finding itself in a crisis because her voice is not being heard...I wonder why?
...maybe we aren't even talking!
Posted by: Russell at October 9, 2003 01:17 AMi've been challenged with this too man ... not so much my wardrope (although that would likely be a good thing as well) ... but about the whole "helping people to reach their full potential" thing. this is emphasized over and over again in my social work classes ... and i can't help but think that there is so much that christians and the church could be doing in order to bring about such "change."
Posted by: linsaymartens at October 9, 2003 05:42 AMThe issue with the church is that it places more emphasis on quantity rather than quality. The more bums on seats, the more cash in the plate, the better the standard of living for the pleb up the front.
It must be so upsetting to God when He has to put up with 'christians' who phone up talk back to voice their moral opinions and yet fail to build community and love the sinner around them. When are those who are supposed to represent Him, going to read their bibles and actually 'get' it?
Posted by: Regan at October 9, 2003 07:16 AMphew...I was thinking I might log on this morning and see a flame war here...
I too think the church CAN get distracted from this core focus of Jesus. I know of many churches and Christians who are definitely helping people to reach their potential, helping them to find life, but SOMETIMES (no sweeping generalizations from me today) I sense that SOME churches are somewhat distracted from the task at hand and are more concerned with the numbers game, or the quality of the event, or the design of the building or...you know what I mean. The call I've been sensing from God over the last year is to simplify my life, church, faith...to the point where the distractions are minimized and I can focus in on those living around me who I have an opportunity to serve and hopefully in the process draw into a life giving relationship with Jesus.
Posted by: Darren Rowse at October 9, 2003 08:33 AMSurely the obvious and vital difference between the tv show and Christ is an outer versus inner change! The show is the epitome of all the crap in our society that Christians are so easily pulled into. Who gives a **** about what a guy wears / cooks / does his hair like? Do we REALLY believe that a make-over will sort him out?
Perhaps I'm being too literal and not realising that you have, of course, spotted that difference. If so, apologies.
But then folks have begun, again, to question the church and whether it's really committed to the important stuff... perhaps it's worth remembering that each of us make up the 'church' - so the values of the church start with me. What do I really value?
As a good friend reminded me today, as Chesterton said, "It's not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting but that it's been found too hard and left untried."
We want to know God's will for us and our fellowships. Okay - "He has told you, o mortal, what is good - to love kindness, do justice and walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6) Spend an hour or so unpacking that verse, and there'll be a list as long as your arm of 'things to do'.
Posted by: Penny at October 9, 2003 03:42 PMFor those that want to stretch the metaphor, I watched it the other night for the first time. One thing that I was really impressed with was that in re-doing his wardrobe, they chose clothes that were in the same kind of fashion that the guy was comfortable already wearing. They just added a couple of dressier outfits for going out, but basically it was in the same class of clothing that he was already wearing.
I guess I was impressed that in making him over, they didn't try to make him into something that he wasn't. It wasn't "one size fits all" makeover.
Posted by: dan at October 9, 2003 04:14 PMIt'll be easy to keep the gay sexual innuendo going for a whole season. I have friends who have ben doing it for 10 years, and they're still coming up with fresh material.
Posted by: cnwb at October 11, 2003 06:16 PM