Posted on 07/10/2007 4:28:22 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Preacher Dan Smith turned a rap song about babes with booty into a spoof Internet hit, and used it to help create a new church for people who hate church.
Dan Smith thinks Christians take themselves too seriously.
Pastor Dan Smith's 'Baby Got Book' video, a big hit online, helped him start his Momentum Church. "We can be dorks," he says after Sunday service in suburban Cleveland. "We can be Ned Flanders and basically speak jargon that nobody understands."
The 33-year-old pastor has made it his mission to turn the notion of earnest, boring, humorless Christianity on its head — and tickle its feet until it laughs.
He did just that when, as a creative arts minister for a church outside Washington, D.C., he made a video parody of rapper Sir-Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back," an ode to women with generous behinds.
Smith's version was called "Baby Got Book," and its praise was reserved for "Christian sisters" who carry big bibles.
"It's worn and it's torn," go the lyrics, "and I know that girl's reborn."
At the suggestion of parishioners, he posted the video on the Web, and viewers streamed it millions of times.
Smith isn't the only preacher to find success on the Web. One of the hottest names in religion online today is none other than former "Growing Pains" star Kirk Cameron, who spreads the gospel online via wayofthemaster.com.
Smith used the publicity from "Baby Got Book" to help sell his comedy DVDs. Then he used that money and his newfound fame to start a church "for people who don't like church."
He should know. He says he's one of them.
"Some people don't like church because it's boring, full of hypocrites and often led by greedy dudes who only care about cash flow," Smith writes in a promotional flyer for his church, Momentum Christian Church. "And church is really boring, too. Did I mention that a lot of people hate church because it's boring? I usually do."
"People just feel welcome here and they can just be themselves." — church attendee Cindy Lu
Worshippers say you won't be bored at Momentum. You may not even feel like you're in a church — because technically you're not. Momentum holds its services in a multiplex movie theatre in a suburban shopping center. Salvation and Popcorn Buckets On a cool spring Sunday morning, people are filling the lobby of the Cinemark in Valley View, Ohio, warming up with coffee and hot chocolate and munching on donuts and bagels. It is boisterous and full of laughter and excited chat. It feels more like a family holiday gathering than church.
A crowd gathers around television monitors where Smith's "Baby Got Book" video plays on a loop along with other comedy videos he's made, and videotapes of past services.
"I said ladies, yeah, ladies," Smith's voice is heard on the video, "Do you wanna save people from Hades? Yeah!"
The smell of popcorn fills the air and large, framed posters of classic movie stars like Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne hang on the walls.
Smith is running around with a Starbucks coffee in his hand.
"My salvation," he tells me, motioning to the coffee, after explaining that his wife Shannon just gave birth to their third child yesterday and he was up most of the rest of the night writing today's sermon.
A steady stream of people line up to give him congratulatory hugs and handshakes.
The service is as complex as a Broadway show, with comedy skits, stories and a multi-piece band. Like a professional stage show, the service has its own rundown sheet with lighting, audio and video cues.
And then there is Smith's sermon, "Superhero Parables," in which he encourages attendees to use their own special gifts to serve others and God.
"If one day you wake up and realize you've been bitten by a radioactive spider and you've got something new in your repertoire," he tells them, "there's this unspoken code among superheroes that says, you know what, your life is not your own anymore."
Smith electrifies his services with a blend of music and comedy. At the end of the service, the collection is taken up in popcorn buckets.
"I grew up going to Catholic church, so this is very different for me," says 25-year-old Cindy Lu after the service. "But it's just more relaxed. People just feel welcome here and they can just be themselves." Finding a Way Smith himself didn't grow up in a religious household, but came to the faith, he says, through the help of a neighbor. That outsider attitude, he believes, helps him to round up the "unchurched," just like Jesus did.
He says about 200 people attend each week, but admits his unorthodox approach has also drawn critics.
A posting about his Internet video warns viewers "to beware of false prophets."
Smith shrugs it off.
"We're not trying to reach other Christians," Smith says, "If you love your church, stay at your church. That's awesome. But for people who haven't gone in ten years — or all of their lives — I think there's a lot of people who might need to hear the message of 'maybe this might be the church that I can go to.'"
The same church, Smith says, that welcomes people who cuss, watch R-rated movies and smell like cigarettes; the church where "Baby Got Book" is always in rotation and whose services are available by Podcast if you just happen to sleep in some Sunday.
I know. I went to one.
And they preaced that little sheet with all of the fervor of St. Peter in Jerusalem on that first Pentecost morning; like it was right up there with Scripture.
Not to say good standards are bad, but, in some things, we've gotta get over ourselves, and quit going beyond what is written.
Enjoy a nice Merlot (Ps. 104:14 & 15).
Exactly what we need!!!
MORE ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!!
Maybe he should have started a comedy club and stage show like this Smith guy. Could have saved himself a lot of trouble!
You’ve inadvertently undermined your whole argument.
re your tagline...according to Senator Saruman (D-Isengard) we did it for the oil, and there never was a ring of mass destruction.
My thoughts exactly, except that you expressed them so much better than I could have. I was also thinking that there are some people who are not going to like Heaven very much because it is probably more like this one than the more traditional church to which most people are accustomed.
If people are getting closer to the LORD, good. Whatever works.
Love it!!
The BIBLE says: Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
The fact that many respond to his message doesn't mean its correct. In fact where many enter, I'd say that should highten our awareness that everything might not be so correct. Its not passing judgement, its being wise.
Matthew 7:15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Matthew 7:21-23"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
I'm not claiming he's a false prophet or anything so diabolicle. I'm saying that THE BIBLE tells us to be on the look out for them. In just a few short verses it tells us to be leary of the road that many pass on, and that just somebody says "Lord, Lord" doesn't mean they serve God.
23Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, Luke 13:24-27"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'
"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
There may only be one door, but there are a lot of paths to that door. If by paths your talking strictly style of worship, I'd agree. Whether contemporary music, country, old hyms, oriental, latin, whatever, God doesn't care about the style. He cares about content of the words and the heart. No church or denomination has the corner on reaching God or worshiping. But we always need to be diligent about what we are doing and why we are doing it, along with our theology. We also need to be diligent with others around us.
Maybe if we Christians stopped judging each other so harshly, we wouldn’t repulse so many. Being judgemental is to bring condemnation on someone. Thats Gods job. But the Bible tells us to be ever diligent watching others actions and listening to their words. We are to correct them when wrong or sinning, Paul did this with Peter. The Bible also tells us what to do if a person doesn't repent. Is that being judgemental or discretionary.
I think too many refuse to be discretionary, in fear of being judgemental.
Lastly, my view about this article isn't to be condemning of the person, but to be discerning.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Is this what is happening at this church? I don't know. But I've learned to be discerning. Some might think this as pessimistic, but the Bible warns us over and over about this.
I've been a Christian most of my life (39 of 44 years). I was brought up in very traditional churches, then when I was 26 I started going to a "seeker sensitive" church, considered by many to be the pre eminent seeker friendly church. For 15 years I was very involved. But over time I realized that "programming" was at the heart of what happened there. Programming the music, the mood, the agenda. Is this wrong? Maybe, maybe not. My issue was the bottom line. Whats more important, programming or the Word Of God? For me The Word is first and foremost. When atmosphere (at the cost of $100 million) becomes the priority, I no longer see The Word being the priority, I see numbers being the priority.
I've heard and/or read many of todays headline speakers/preachers, and I find most to be preaching a feel good, humanistic "christianity". I long for cut and dry Bible teaching. Don't hold the punches.
Now your probably thinking, that drives people away. Well church is supposed to be for the saved. Thats where believers go to have fellowship with each other, worship, and get teaching.
Church ISN'T to be for the non-christian, its OUR job to be salt and light to non believers, and bring them to saving grace. And then as believers they can worship God. How does a non believer worship a God he/she hasn't committed to?
But I would disagree on a few points.
We are fundamentalists and use the term proudly.
I would consider myself pretty fundemental, which I won't apologize for, but I feel this statement is to justify beating people over the head. That I don't agree with.
We believe in a literal Hell which has fire and brimstone and a literal Heaven with streets of gold.
Yes. Ditto that here.
We stand for the King James Bible as the only Bible
AAhhh! Wrong answer. This statement is hubris. This isn't about humility and learning, this is about dogma. Is the KJV a good version? Most definetly, it is a very accurate TRANSLATION, but I don't worship the book, I worship the ONE who gave us the book.
and the local New Testament church as the only true church. We believe in redemption through the blood of Christ, salvation by grace through faith alone,
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
and the premillennial second coming of Jesus Christ.
That might be up for debate.
OUR SEPARATIST POSITION
Absolutely no drinking, smoking, or dancing is allowed. No student is allowed to attend Hollywood movies, play cards, or participate in other questionable amusements. i>
Obviously this is for a college campus, and the students who attend this school. There is a reason for these rules, which for the most part would be foolish to not adhere to. But, my impression is that these rules are laws that the leaders cram down others, and use to lord over others, much like the Pharisees did in Jesus day. I see no problem having a drink now and then, but I don't get drunk. Besides Jesus turned water into wine. And don't give me that junk about it being grape juice. Thats junk and a fabricated lie to push a personal agenda. Smoking. I don't. Its not good, but its not going to send someone to hell, or keep them out of heaven. Dancing. I LOOOVE to dance. I can understand having certain limitations on it. But not an outright ban. Hollyweird movies. I go once in a while, but today is far fewer than before, as I do not approve of most anything out of Hollywood. But not going to them does not make me, nor mean that I am holier. Nor does going to them mean I'm less. I am afforded the discretion to choose if and what I see. Cards and other questionable amusements. Just the wording makes me want to grab the pompous jerk by the neck and make his eyes bulge, and then toss him like a rag doll. But then, that wouldn't be very loving or christian like would it :)
We do not fellowship with liberals, but instead take a strict separatist stand from the world and apostasy.What pompousness. Seperating yourself from doing what the world does is one thing. But our job IS NOT to be removed from the world, it is to share the good news of the Gospel to the very liberals (and conservatives) this person loathes.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!!
MORE COWBELL!!! :)
(Hopefully you understand the joke/sarcasm)
I went to their web site, but found no statement of faith.
Not sure about "people" in general, but it would be offputting to a large segment of believers. A church that is too giggly to make room in its heart for an appreciation of all that Calvary entailed, is at best a very unbalanced church.
The Pharisees did stuff like this quite nicely.
I’m sure his customers enjoy the entertaining approach.
That’s what the Mormons do. Guess who’s growing?
Two came to my house, and I was tickled by the fact that both had the same first name- Elder. I assume they were country boys.
When I was a boy my Catholic Church was full of men who smelled like cigarettes. That was before smoking became the greatest public sin in the western world.
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